Name: Best Rice Krispie Treats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (Source: 8 tablespoons unsalted butter); 20 ounces mini marshmallows (3 cups reserved) (Source: 20 ounces mini marshmallows (3 cups reserved)); ½ teaspoon kosher salt (Source: ½ teaspoon kosher salt); ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract (Source: ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract); 7 cups rice krispie cereal (Source: 7 cups rice krispie cereal)

Get to know the ingredients

mini marshmallows (3 cups reserved)

In the method: Once browned, immediately remove from the heat and add the marshmallows stirring to melt.

kosher salt

In the method: Once the marshmallows are melted, sprinkle them with the salt and add the vanilla extract.

vanilla extract

In the method: Once the marshmallows are melted, sprinkle them with the salt and add the vanilla extract.

Let’s make it

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Servings

Original recipe: Serves 12. Original quantities shown.

Estimating…

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8 tablespoons unsalted butter
Ingredient note
Source: 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
20 ounces mini marshmallows (3 cups reserved)
Ingredient note
Source: 20 ounces mini marshmallows (3 cups reserved)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Ingredient note
Source: ½ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredient note
Source: ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
7 cups rice krispie cereal
Ingredient note
Source: 7 cups rice krispie cereal

How to make it

0 of 5 steps complete

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.

Make room for Best Rice Krispie Treats

Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.

The last little job

Finish as directed

Let them set for one hour before cutting them into bars.

A few questions you might have

What should I prepare first?

Set out the pot, saucepan, and baking dish. Start with this step: Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil.

Which preparation step should I plan for?

Follow the instruction to take the pan off the heat before the finishing addition.

What happens at the end?

Let them set for one hour before cutting them into bars.

How do I plan the ingredient amounts?

This version serves 12. Use the ingredient amounts listed for that yield. If you change the number of portions, check equipment and the full method as well as the shopping quantities.

Additional recipe 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.

Best Rice Krispie Treats

1. Check the off-heat addition

2. Prepare the first additions

3. Prepare the finishing addition