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Easy Rice Crispy Treats Recipe: Soft, Chewy & Ready in 15 Minutes

You can make soft and gooey bakery-style rice crispy treats at homeusing this simple recipe, with only three ingredients, no oven required and a butterymarshmallow flavour that everyone loves
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Setting time 30 minutes
Servings: 3

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
For the Treats:
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 bag 10 oz / 285 g mini marshmallows, divided
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • Optional Add-Ins and Toppings:
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles
  • 1/2 cup melted chocolate or peanut butter for drizzling
  • Flaky sea salt

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
    Part 1: Prepare the Pan and Brown the Butter
    1. To prepare the pan, line a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure
    2. there is an overhang on two sides so that the bars can be lifted out easily. Then, lightly
    3. grease the parchment using butter or non-stick spray.
    4. Brown the butter: Place the butter in a large pot and heat it over medium-low heat. Stir
    5. continuously as it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty smell, for about 3 to 4
    6. minutes. Take the pot off the heat immediately to prevent it from burning.
    Part 2: Melt the Marshmallows
    1. Put in the first batch: Return the pot to low heat and then stir in three-quarters of the
    2. marshmallows, stirring slowly until they are fully melted and smooth.
    3. Give it flavour by taking the pot off the heat and then stirring in the vanilla and salt.
    4. Mix in the cereal: Pour the crispy rice cereal into it and use a spatula that has been
    5. greased to gently fold it in until all the pieces are covered.
    6. Now add the second batch: fold in the leftover marshmallows. They will become softer
    7. but not completely melt, so that each mouthful contains pockets of gooey marshmallow.
    8. That is the secret behind the bars remaining soft.
    Part 3: Press, Set and Slice
    1. Gently press the mixture into the prepared pan by using a piece of parchment paper or
    2. your hands that have been greased, making sure to achieve an even layer and not
    3. pressing it down too firmly since doing so would cause the bars to become dense and
    4. tough.
    5. Leave it to the pan: Allow the pan to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
    6. Remove the slab by using the parchment overhang and then cut it into 16 squares with a
    7. sharp knife that has been lightly greased.
    Tips for the Perfect Rice Crispy Treats
    1. Use marshmallows and cereal that are fresh, since stale ingredients are the main reason
    2. why the treats end up being hard and flat.
    3. Maintain a low heat, as marshmallows that are heated too much will become candy
    4. which hardens when it has cooled.
    5. There is no need to put the pan into the bag since gentle pressing will keep the texture
    6. light and chewy.
    7. We should carefully measure the cereal since using too much will result in dry bars, so
    8. use 6 cups.
    9. Lubricate the tools; this will prevent a buttered spatula and knife from sticking.
    10. Brown the butter as a method since it gives a toasty, caramel-like taste which makes
    11. your desserts stand out.
    Easy Variations
    1. For chocolate lovers, melt dark or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the top, or after the
    2. mixture has cooled a bit fold in the mini chocolate chips.
    3. To make the Peanut Butter Crispy Treats, stir one third of a cup of creamy peanut butter
    4. into the melted marshmallows.
    5. For the Funfetti version, add rainbow sprinkles to give it a birthday party appearance.
    6. For salted caramel, swirled with caramel sauce and then finished off with a flaky sea salt.
    7. For Cookies and Cream, add crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.
    8. For gluten-free options, use crispy rice cereal that is certified gluten-free.
    Storage and Reheating
    1. To store the bars, put them in a sealed container, with parchment paper between each
    2. layer, for a maximum of three days.
    3. To store them, wrap each square in plastic wrap, put them into a freezer bag and freeze
    4. for a maximum of two months. Thaw by leaving them at room temperature for twenty to
    5. thirty minutes.
    6. To refresh a stale bar, microwave a square for 5 to 8 seconds so that it regains its soft,
    7. gooey texture.
    8. It is best to avoid using the refrigerator because the cold air causes the bars to become
    9. firm and dry.
    Frequently Asked Questions
      Why are the rice crispy treats that I have made coming out hard?
      1. The marshmallows were generally too quickly heated, the mixture was pressed down too
      2. hard, or there was an excess of cereal; you should use low heat and handle it gently.
      May I use large marshmallows in place of the mini ones?
      1. Yes, use approximately 10 ounces of large marshmallows since they take a bit longer to
      2. melt, so you should stir patiently.
      May I prepare them in advance?
      1. Certainly. They can be stored for up to three days, which is why they are so suitable for
      2. parties and school events.
      May I double the recipe?
      1. Alright, use a bigger pot and a pan that is 10 by 15 inches, or two pans that are 9 by 13
      2. inches.
      Is it possible to make them without using butter?
      1. Coconut oil or plant-based butter may be used instead; the flavour will be a bit different
      2. but will still be delicious

      Notes

      This recipe for rice crispy treats shows that the simplest kinds of dessert are usually the best; using browned butter, a two-stage method for the marshmallows and a light touch will always produce bars that are soft, chewy and full of flavour. Prepare a batch for a party, a bake sale or to satisfy a late-night craving and see how quickly they disappear