Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
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A classic treat you can make anytime of year when you need a quick no bake treat. These seriously are the best rice krispie treats recipe ever. Easy no bake recipe made on the stovetop that takes about 10 minutes to prepare. I have two tricks to making the best rice krispie treats ever.
It’s been a long time since I have had a rice krispie treat. And probably longer when I have had a GOOD rice krispie treat. You know the kind where they are too tough, not enough marshmallow, just eh.
It seemed when the craving hit, the universe was just egging me on or maybe it was teasing me? I’m not sure. It seemed once the craving hit, no joke rice krispie treats were everywhere..Pinterest…TV…Ok maybe not everywhere but after one two many pins and commercials I had to make some myself. It’s a good thing they are a quick and easy dessert recipe to whip up.
I seriously can’t resist a good rice krispie treat like my peanut butter rice krispie treats, strawberry rice krispie treats or my Christmas rice krispie treats during the holidays!
Rice Krispie treats are simple right? Melt butter. Add marshmallows. Melt those. Stir in rice krispie treats (do this off the heat please!). Spread into the pan. And done. You get to enjoy them. But I still have a few simple tricks for you to make these the best ever.
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Ingredients needed
The best part about making rice krispie treats is that it takes very few ingredients.
- Unsalted butter – I always recommend using unsalted butter because brands can vary on how much salt they add to their butter. So by using unsalted I can control how much salt is added. If you only have salted butter than reduce or omit the salt completely.
- Rice Krispies
- Marshmallows – You will need to have 2 bags of marshmallows (at least one of them should be the mini variety so you can stir in mini marshmallows at the end.
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Related: You might also like the rest of these 5 Ingredient Desserts
How to make rice krispie treats
First prepare the pan. I like to either grease baking pan or line with parchment paper. You can use an 8×8 baking pan or 9×9 baking pan (they won’t be quite as thick).
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot go ahead and melt the butter over low heat, until completely melted and smooth.
This makes a large amount of mixture so make sure to choose a very large pot.
You will add one 10-ounce bag of marshmallows to the pot plus more marshmallows to stir in at the end. When butter is melted, add the rest of the marshmallows.
Large marshmallows will work but I prefer mini marshmallows as they melt more evenly and quickly. Stir with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until melted.
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt. These two ingredients are key to bringing out the flavor and balancing the sweetness!
Stir in 2 cups more of mini marshmallows, rice krispies. This is a large mixture and can be difficult to stir! Do the best you can. I like to use a sturdy spatula, wooden spoon or bowl scraper.
Transfer the mixture to the pan. Then press into an even layer. It can be sticky. Use a piece of saran wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray or wet hands to help make this part easier. and press into the pan. Don’t press down too hard as they can make them too hard and crunchy.
Let rest for 1 hour. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Heather’s Baking Tips
- Use unsalted butter – Salted butter can have varying amounts and might make these very salty in the end. Not what we want! So use unsalted butter.
- Pan size– You can use either an 8×8 or 9×9 pan.
- Add extra marshmallows – Add some marshmallows to stir in at the end so you get some marshmallows that haven’t melted into the mixture. Of course you could always make your own homemade vanilla marshmallows.
- Cooking spray – These can be tricky to press down into the pan because of how sticky they are. So lightly spray a piece of plastic wrap and use that to press the mixture down into the pan. OR you can spray your hand with cooking spray and press them down into the pan.
- Do not press down too much – You do need to press them down somewhat but if you press down too much you could create a rice krispie treat that ends up too dense.
Storage Instructions
They will be fine and stay fresh at room temperature, covered, for about 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing rice krispie treats. The texture isn’t the same after they thawed.
Rice Krispie Treat FAQ’s
ld be if you used stale rice krispies or stale marshmallows. Another reason might be you pressed down TOO much when pressing them into the pan.
That’s the best part of rice krispie treats. No baking required! That means they are ready in a flash and a great no bake treat to make in the summer time.
You can place them in a bag with a slice of bread and let them sit overnight and they will soften again.
More recipes to try
If you’re craving more easy desserts check out my easy dessert recipes category! A few of my favorites are my walnut brownies, my pizookie skillet cookie, and edible cookie dough!
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Classic Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
- 10 ounces marshmallows plus 1 extra cup (see note)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 cups rice krispie cereal
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan or line with with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Melt butter in a large pot on low heat. 3 Tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
- When butter is melted, add the 10 ounces of mini marshmallows. Stir with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until melted. 10 ounces marshmallows
- Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt. ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Stir in the extra 1 cup mini marshmallows and rice krispies. This can be tricky to incorporate so do your best to stir it altogether! I like to use a wooden spoon, sturdy spatula, or bowl scraper. 5 cups rice krispie cereal
- Spread in pan (use a piece of saran wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray OR wet hands) and press into the pan. Do not press down too much.
- Let rest for 15 minutes. Cut into squares and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Large pot: This makes a large amount of mixture to stir. Be sure to use a large stockpot.
- Storage: Keep covered and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: I do not recommend freezing rice krispie treats. The texture is not the same after thawing.
- Marshmallows– I like to stir in mini marshmallows with the rice krispies. You can use large or mini marshmallows to melt. I find the mini ones melt more evenly and quickly.
- Butter – Salted butter can have varying amounts and might make these very salty in the end. Not what we want! So use unsalted butter. If you only have salted butter than reduce or omit the salt.
- Pan size– You can use a 8×8 or 9×9 for slightly less thick treats.
- Cooking spray– These can be tricky to press down into the pan because of how sticky they are. So lightly spray a piece of plastic wrap and use that to press the mixture down into the pan OR wet your hands and press down.
- Do not press down too much – You do need to press them down somewhat but if you press down too much you could create a rice krispie treat that ends up too dense.
Making rice krispy treats for the first time tomorrow. Wish me luck, lol. Thanks for sharing your recipe 🙂
Have fun mixing them up Lil! Let me know how they turn out!
These bring back happy memories of making them as a kid. I am going to make them with my daughter this weekend.
What a sweet memory. ❤️
This is such an easy recipe and also no bake. So wonderful. I am imagining how the kids will just relish this. Thanks for sharing.
You’re not kidding that these are the best! My batch disappeared quickly when the family was over last weekend. Thanks!
Next time you just might have to make a double batch. 😉
Oh yum! I love how easily these Rice Krispie treats come together with only five ingredients! So good with all those marshmallows.
my boyfriend loves these – i had to learn how to make them so thanks! this was easy and he thinks they’re perfect!!!
How sweet that you’re making these for your partner!
I am imagining myself trying these cute little treats, and it feels really good. I’ve got to make them time soon. I am sure they will be a hit in my house!
Let me know how you like them Danielle!!
I love that the marshmallows are not completely melted! So easy to make! Next time I’m making them with some chocolate cereal, as you suggest in the variations. Thanks for sharing!
That’s my favorite part too Paula! And yes chocolate cereal would be fantastic!
Yes! I love a classic rice krispie treat. These look spectacular and would go over so well at my house. I don’t think that I would be able to make these last for more than a day.
They didn’t last a day in my house either Jenni 🙂
I don’t care how old you are, rice krispie treats will always be fun and delicious! It’s been too long since I’ve had one and now you’re inspiring me to whip up a batch ^_^
I’m the same as you Tammy! Age doesn’t matter when it comes to rice krispie treats!
Yes, these are perfect! This is exactly how I like my rice krispie treats, with those marshamallows only partly melted in between. YUM!!
It’s the only way to have them Leslie 🙂
Woow, what an easy recipe. I will be making this to be in my son’s lunch box. Crispy treats are very expensive when you but it. Love it. Thanks!
That’s so true! THey are so much better and cheaper when you make them!
I love the extra marshmallows in this recipe! These would not last one hour at my house so storage would not be an issue but thanks for all the great tips!
Yes the extra mini marshmallows are where it’s at with this recipe. And yes they didn’t last long around here either!
I love rice krispie treats and it is my daughters favorite too. I love that yours also has mini marshmallows scattered throughout. I am making some asap
They are a favorite around here as well! And yes the mini marshmallows make them extra yummy and special!