The easiest recipe for elevated rice krispies that are chewy and crispy, packed with buttery caramel and warm vanilla flavor that’s highlighted by the perfect amount of salt.
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Take everything you know about Rice Krispy Treats and throw it out the window. Because these bad boys are unlike any you’ve ever had before.
And I PROMISE you will never make them the other way again.
One simple addition and some extra marshmallows transform regular Rice Krispy Treats into a chewy, crispy, perfectly sweet goody with more flavor than you knew a Rice Krispy Treat could have!
I can’t decide if it’s the texture I’m hooked on or the flavors. Well, it’s both, I suppose.
When you bite into one of these you get the crunch you’re used to but then you get this indulgent chewiness that’s unexpectedly decadent. And when you put those two together?? It hits on a whole other level.
And the flavor?! “Salted caramel” is a thing for a reason – the combo is perfect. The warm, sweet, buttery taste is amplified by the salt. And then we’re hitting this with vanilla too? Man, DANG!
Recipes for most other Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats require you to make caramel (or something similar) on the stove. Overcook it and you’ve got a problem, undercook it and you’ve got a mess.
Ummm… no. Part of what makes RKT so great is that they’re quick and easy! With this recipe, you just add caramel candies to the marshmallows when you melt them with the butter, et voila!
Add some vanilla extract and salt and BOOM, you’ve got a completely elevated sweet treat with no more effort. Well, you do have to unwrap the caramels but if you get the brand I suggest, that’s easy-peasy too!
INGREDIENTS FOR EASY SALTED CARAMEL RICE KRISPIES TREATS
With just a few simple extra ingredients (and zero extra work) regular RKT are completely transformed both in flavor and in texture. Here's all you need:
- Crispy rice cereal
- Marshmallows (2 bags)
- Butter
- Caramel candies (Kraft or Werther’s)
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
7 FAQ ON EASY SALTED CARAMEL RICE KRISPIES TREATS
WHAT TYPE OF CARAMEL DO I USE? I prefer Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels (found on the candy aisle). You can also use Kraft Baking Caramels or Kraft Caramel Bits (found on the baking aisle). All 3 come in 11-oz packages which is how much you need.
The wrapped caramels are best, in my opinion. I opt for the Werther’s because they are SUPER EASY to unwrap whereas unwrapping a whole bag of Kraft Caramels makes me feel like I might have a stroke or a panic attack.
DO I REALLY NEED TWO BAGS OF MARSHMALLOWS? Yes. We’re going to use 3 cups to mix in separate which is what gives us those gorgeous whole pieces. Also, because we’re adding chewy caramel, we need a little more marshmallow softness to keep everything from setting up too hard.
SALTED OR UNSALTED BUTTER? Either is fine. You’re supposed to be able to taste the salt in these, though if you’re sensitive to salt, use unsalted butter. I have never bought unsalted butter in my life and always use the full amount of salt in recipes.
SHOULDN’T YOU USE KOSHER OR COARSE-GRAIN SALT? You only benefit from using flaky or large-grain salt in desserts when the salt is added toward the end of preparation and the grains are left intact. The salt is dissolved into the marshmallow/caramel mixture in this recipe so there’s really no point.
WHAT SIZE BOX OF CEREAL DO I NEED TO YIELD 8 CUPS? The standard, smaller size box has more than enough for 8 cups. You won’t need to buy the family size. Don’t try to use the whole box. I have (because I didn’t want them to go to waste) and it does NOT work.
WHY DON’T I PACK THE TREATS FIRMLY INTO THE PAN? Packing RKT into the pan makes them hard. This is true for the regular recipe but especially true with these. Just dump it in the pan then spread to the corners with a rubber spatula and leave it be.
DO I HAVE TO BUTTER THE PAN? You will need to treat the pan with something or these will stick like crazy. Butter is best. The easiest way to butter the pan is to grab a 3-tablespoon chunk of room-temperature butter with a clean paper towel then grease the pan, holding the butter with the paper towel. Cooking spray works but always skeeves me out a little thinking about the oil coating the treats. I line my pan with wax paper then butter the bottom only – this makes it easy to lift the whole slab out of the pan to cut.
Recipe for Easy Salted Caramel Rice Krispies Treats
Easy Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats
Ingredients
- 8 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 11-oz bag caramels
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt (see notes)
- 2 10-oz bags mini marshmallows, divided
Instructions
- Prepare a 13x9 baking pan by rubbing with butter. See last note in FAQ above for tips and suggestions.
- Unwrap caramels then set aside.
- Add rice cereal and 3 cups of marshmallows to a large mixing bowl; stir then set aside.
- Melt butter over medium heat in a large non-stick pan. Non-stick is ideal when making any RKT but a regular pot will work too.
- Add remaining marshmallows, unwrapped caramels, vanilla extract and salt to melted butter then cook and stir over medium-low heat until all marshmallows and caramels are melted. Don’t crank up the heat or let this cook longer than needed or the caramel could start to harden.
- Pour marshmallow mixture over rice cereal then gently fold and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined.
- Spread mixture into prepared 13x9 pan, taking care not to compress the mixture too much. The airier these are, the better.
- Cool to room temperature then cut into squares. Store at room temperature up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use Werther’s Original Chewy Caramels, Kraft Baking Caramels or Kraft Caramel Bits. See more details in FAQ above recipe card.
- I use salted butter AND a full teaspoon of salt and think the saltiness is spot-on perfect with the sweet caramel and marshmallows. You’re supposed to taste the salt in “salted caramel” desserts. If you are sensitive to salt, reduce to 1/2 teaspoon and/or use unsalted butter.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
182.1Fat
4.82 gSat. Fat
2.76 gCarbs
33.17 gFiber
0.21 gNet carbs
32.98 gProtein
1.05 gSodium
176.21 mgIron
0.25 mgCalcium
21.24 mg
Will a 13X9 glass dish work as well? (I should buy a 13X9 pan, I know). These sound amazing, going to make!
ReplyDeleteYes, a Pyrex pan will work. The only difference will be the pieces on the edges will take on the rounded shape of the pan.
DeleteAbsolutely!
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