Rice Krispie Treats

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This super easy rice krispie treats recipe features extra flavor from brown butter. They are perfectly soft and gooey!

These rice krispie treats are so easy and fun to make with your family.

The extra flavor from the brown butter makes these the best ever! I adapted this recipe from Alton Brown’s Brown Butter Krispy Rice Treats.

My marshmallow to cereal ratio makes the treats perfectly sweet and gooey.

I don’t like to go too dark with my brown butter because it’s very easy to burn.

I always err on the side of caution. If you like darker brown butter, then, feel free to do so.

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Why this recipe works

• This recipe calls for almost fully melting the marshmallows, which creates extra gooey treats.
• The unsalted butter limits the salt in the recipe, so the treats don’t become too salty.

These are the perfect rice krispie treats. They are loved by kids and kids at heart.

What you need

Fresh ingredients make this recipe pop! Let’s discuss just a few of the key ingredients:

Ingredients

This is a short overview of the ingredients I used and why I chose them. The full recipe can be found at the bottom of the post!

• Butter: Make sure to use unsalted butter, so you can control the amount of salt added to the recipe.
• Marshmallows: I prefer mini marshmallows for this recipe. Make sure they are fresh or your results may be subpar.
• Crispy rice cereal: You can use any brand of cereal. The key is making sure it is fresh as stale cereal will not taste good.
• Salt: I only use a pinch of salt in this recipe as I don’t like my treats to be salty.

Equipment

This is a list of tools I used to make the recipe.

• Heavy-bottomed saucepan: This is the key equipment for melting the butter and the marshmallows.
• Baking pan: You’ll need a 9×13-inch pan for the treats.
• Spatula: A silicone spatula will help you mix this recipe with ease.

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How to make rice krispie treats

1. Brown the butter

You’ll brown the butter to add flavor to the recipe.

1. Prepare a 9×13-inch pan by lightly greasing with cooking spray. Set aside for later.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Cook and stir constantly until the butter reaches a light brown color. It will foam prior to turning brown.

2. Melt the marshmallows

You’ll melt the marshmallows to until mostly melted.

1. Reduce the heat. Then, stir in marshmallows.
2. Cook and stir constantly until they are mostly melted. A few unmelted ones are OK – this allows for extra gooey treats!
3. Then, stir in the salt.

3. Add crispy rice cereal

You’ll add the cereal and coat it with the marshmallow mix.

1. Add in the rice cereal.
2. Gently stir until all of the cereal is coated. Don’t be to rough or the cereal with break into fine bits.

4. Press into pan

You’ll press the rice cereal mix into a pan to achieve the signature rice krispie treats shape.

1. Using a buttered spatula or wax paper, gently press the mix into the prepared pan.
2. Don’t pack it down too firmly. Lightly press it into the baking dish.
3. Allow the treats to cool completely at room temperature – about an hour.
4. To cut, invert them onto a cutting board and slice into 2-inch squares. These are best served the same day.

Storing & Freezing

To store: Rice krispie cereal treats are best the day you make them. However, they will keep for no more than 3 days wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

If you need to stack them, place sheets of wax paper between the layers.

Store them at room temperature. Do NOT refrigerate these because it will make them hard.

To Freeze: They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Layer with wax paper and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Then, place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. When you are ready to serve, thaw at room temperature.

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More no-bake recipes to try

• Praline Pecans
• Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
• Edible Cookie Dough