Best Rice Krispie Treats

The best buttery Rice Krispie Treats with the perfect cereal-to-marshmallow ratio are chewy, sticky, and soft. They are perfect for parties, bake sales, and after-school snacks.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword how to make rice krispie treats, rice crispie treats, rice krispie treat recipe, rice krispy treats

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 280kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
20 ounces mini marshmallows 3 cups reserved
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
7 cups rice krispie cereal

Instructions

Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil. For thicker treats like a 9x9-inch pan. Grease the inside of the aluminum foil.
Using a light-colored pot or large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir the butter the entire time to keep it from burning. The butter will foam up a bit, and then it will ease up. After about 5-8 minutes, the butter will turn golden brown with light brown specks and a nutty aroma.
Once browned, immediately remove from the heat and add the marshmallows stirring to melt. Return the pot to low heat and keep stirring with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.
Once the marshmallows are melted, sprinkle them with the salt and add the vanilla extract. Stir to combine, and add the Rice Krispie cereal as you are stirring. Before the mixture starts to cool, add the reserved mini marshmallows and let them melt just a touch.
Spoon and gently press them into the prepared baking dish using a buttered spatula or the butter wrapper. Let them set for one hour before cutting them into bars.

Notes

This recipe moves very quickly, so have everything measured and close to the stovetop. Make sure your pan is lined with aluminum foil, buttered, and ready to fill.e
Use a light-colored pot so you can see the changes in the butter as you brown it.
Once the butter is browned, remove it from the heat and add the marshmallows. Then you can return it to low heat. This keeps the butter from burning as you catch up with stirring the marshmallows.
It is important to stir quickly and thoroughly to combine the crispy rice cereal with the marshmallows, as they will start to set quickly.
I like to work with two wooden spoons. One large one for mixing large amounts fast and another smaller one for reaching the bottom edges of the pot.
Use a buttered spatula or the discarded butter wrapper to gently press the mixture into the prepared pan.
Store the treats in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days. Or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Or freeze individually wrapped treats in wax paper or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer zipper bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition