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Rice Krispie treats are a classic treat in just about everyone’s childhood. So when you want to whip up a batch of these gooey, marshmallow crispy squares, be sure to save this simple recipe. They are so easy to make with just three basic ingredients, and a few easy steps.
Classic Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
These fun squares are always a hit when I make them. Whether it’s for a party, school events, holidays, or just when we want a simple dessert, we never have leftovers! I especially love how easy they are to make, without needing to bake dessert or get out the mixer.
If you ever need a fun themed dessert, these delicious treats can be color matched with a few simple drops of food coloring, or matching candies or sprinkles, like these Christmas Rice Krispie Treats. And if you wrap them in cellophane or cute gift boxes with a pretty bow, they make fun little gifts for neighbors, teachers, or friends too.
Ingredients You Will Need
- unsalted butter– melted butter combined with marshmallows, makes the sticky mixture to hold the cereal together.
- marshmallows- this is going to make the treats have their gooey texture, and stick together.
- rice krispies cereal- crispy rice cereal is what gives the treats their crisp texture and is the only other main ingredient besides the marshmallows.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray, a light coating of butter, or line it with parchment paper, then set it aside.
Step 2: In a large saucepan or large pot, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until they are fully melted and smooth. Once they are melted, remove the pan from the heat.
Step 3: Add in the cereal, stirring until it is all mixed together. You will want to try and do this quickly because as the marshmallows cool, they are harder to stir.
Step 4: Transfer the mixture into the pan, and use a spatula to press it into an even layer. If it starts to stick to the spatula, you can butter the spatula or lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 5: Let the treats cool and then cut them into squares.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treats in Microwave
Combine butter and marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth, then follow steps 2–4 above.
Tips for Making the Best Rice Krispie Treats
- Use Fresh Marshmallows: Expired or dried out marshmallows won’t melt as smoothly and can affect the texture and taste of your treats.
- Don’t Press Into the Pan: When using the spatula to press the treats into the pan, don’t press to hard because that can compress the treats, and make them hard when they cool down.
- Extra Gooey: Add extra mini marshmallows for even more gooey treats. I like to use mini marshmallows because they can be easier to work with when melting and mixing cereal.
Rice Krispie Treats Variations
- Mix-Ins: Stir in mini M&Ms, white chocolate or chocolate chips, or sprinkles for fun colors or holiday themes.
- Flavored Cereal: Swap out Rice Krispies for Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Krispies, or another favorite cereal.
- Holiday Treats: Use food coloring to dye the marshmallow mixture into festive colors without changing the flavor.
FAQ’S
Keep treats in an airtight container for 3-4 days and store at room temperature. (Refrigerating can harden the treats, and dry them out.) For longer storage, freeze in layers separated by wax paper for up to 6 weeks. Thaw overnight before serving.
Use fresh marshmallows, and don’t burn the marshmallows and butter. They can also taste like they are hard if they are pressed too hard into the pan.
Yes, you can make them up to a day ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature for the freshest results.
More Dessert Recipes
Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- Saucepan
- 9×13 Baking Dish or Pan
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 10 ounces marshmallows, 40 large marshmallows or 6 cups mini marshmallows
- 6 cups rice cereal
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by lightly spraying it with non-stick cooking spray, rubbing it very lightly with butter, or line it with parchment paper. Set the pan aside.
- In a large saucepan melt the butter over low heat, then add the marshmallows to the saucepan. Stir constantly until they are fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Add in the cereal, stirring until it is all mixed together. You will want to try and do this quickly because as the marshmallows cool, they are harder to stir.
- Transfer the mixture into the pan, and use a spatula to press it into an even layer. If it starts to stick to the spatula, you can butter the spatula or lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Let the treats cool and then cut them into squares.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
