Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

5 from 5 votes

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Resting Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 303kcal

Prepare pan. Lightly spray x 9x13 pan or line with parchment paper (or tinfoil) for easy removal. Then spray with cooking spray. You can use a smaller pan if you want thicker treats.
Melt butter. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, over low heat, melt butter until completely melted and smooth.
Melt marshmallows. Set aside 2 cups of the marshmallows. When butter is melted, add the remaining marshmallows. Stir with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until melted.
Add vanilla and salt. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
Add remaining ingredients. Immediately stir in remaining 2 cups mini marshmallows, cocoa rice krispies and chocolate chips. This can cool and set quickly so be sure to stir in immediately and then spread into your pan.
Press in pan. Spread in pan (I like to use a piece of saran wrap lightly sprayed with cooking spray, a piece of wax paper, the butter wrapper, or you can spray your hand with cooking spray) and press into the pan. Be sure to not press down too hard or it can make them very hard and compact. Let sit for 1 hour to harden. Lift out of the pan and cut into squares and enjoy.

Storage: I keep them covered at room temperature and they keep for up to 3 days. Do not stir in the fridge or they will dry out.
Freezing: I don't really recommend freezing rice krispie treats as they don't thaw and have the same texture. But if you do want to try freezing be sure to wrap between layers of parchment or wax paper and place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Butter - I always use unsalted butter but if you use salted butter I would omit the salt.
Marshmallows - I use two bags of mini marshmallows. I reserve 2 cups of marshmallows to stir in at the end. If you only have large marshmallows then just stir in all the marshmallows to melt at the beginning.Or if you want to use marshmallow creme you can use two 7.5 ounce containers.
Vanilla extract - Pure is best, but imitation would work just fine.
Cocoa Rice Krispie cereal - If you can find cocoa rice krispies cereal, you can use cocoa pebbles cereal.
Chocolate chips - If you don't have miniature chocolate chips, try stirring in regular chocolate chips!