These gourmet Caramel and Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are both easy to make and delicious to eat! They are perfect for birthdays, bake sales, or even as a fun snack that kids can help prepare.
Easy Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Classic Rice Krispie Treats make me happy just as they are. Fluffy marshmallow-filled sticky sweet bars aren’t just a childhood favorite for me–they are my all time favorite dessert bar.
I have over 20 Rice Krispie Treat Recipes (and counting) and have perfected how to make rice krispie treats!
For today’s Caramel Rice Krispie Treats, I went with a kid-friendly spin. These look and taste like something you’d find at a specialty candy store or bakery, but even better!
Delicious Rice Krispies base, buttery caramel and milk chocolate drizzled on top. What more do you need?
Oh, yeah–Mini M&Ms! A few colorful candies sprinkled over the treats add color and even more chocolaty goodness. Eat them like a traditional bar or on a popsicle stick for a festive flourish.
You can also add a pinch of flaked sea salt to give these krispie treats a salted caramel rice krispie treat flavor!
Ingredient Notes
- Miniature marshmallows – These melt easier and quicker than full sized. You can also sub regular marshmallows chopped into bite sized pieces.
- Caramel bits – Kraft baking bits are easy to find and they melt beautifully. You can also use our homemade caramels.
- Dark chocolate – Ghirardhelli dark chocolate wafers have the best texture for melting and drizzling on the bars.
- M&Ms baking bits – You can use M&Ms minis instead of baking bits if you can’t find them, or skip the M&Ms garnish altogether.
How to Make Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Make the rice krispie treats. I made my Rice Krispie Treats recipe and added a little extra to fit in a larger 15 x 10 pan. Once the Krispies marshmallow mixture is ready, press gently into the pan spreading it evenly.
Caramel topping. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the caramel bits with the heavy cream. Spread over the Rice Krispies in the pan and then let the treats set for about 2 hours at room temperature.
Chocolate drizzle. Cut the treats into large squares and set on a sheet of parchment paper. Insert a popsicle stick (if using) into the bottom of each treat.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over each square in whatever pattern you like. Sprinkle with the M&Ms or baking bits and let set for at least 15 minutes.
Tips & Tricks
- To prevent cereal treats from sticking to your fingers, dampen them with water before spreading them in the pan.
- Display or store the treats in a single layer to preserve the look of the chocolate and M&Ms.
- When melting the caramel with the heavy cream, be sure to stir them together every 30 seconds or so. This helps everything combine and melt evenly without scalding.
- Always use fresh mini marshmallows and fresh rice crispy cereal for best results!
- Store at room temperature for up to one week.
Rice Krispie Treat Recipes
Caramel Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 24 ounce miniature marshmallows divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 10 cups rice krispies cereal
- 2 bags Kraft caramel bits, 11 ounce each
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup Ghirardelli dark chocolate wafers melted
- 1/4-1/2 cup M&M mini milk chocolate baking bits
Instructions
- Line a 15x10x1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in all but 1 1/2 cups of the marshmallows. Reduct heat to low and continue stirring until completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and reserved marshmallows. Fold gently until combined.
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Press GENTLY with your fingertips until spread out.
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine caramel bits with heavy cream. Heat for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth. Spread over krispie treats. Allow to set about two hours.
- Cut into large squares. Separate onto a cutting board and slide popsicle stick into them, if desired, Drizzle with melted chocolate and add candy bits if desired. Allow to set about 15 minutes and enjoy! Store covered at room temperature.
Notes
- To prevent cereal treats from sticking to your fingers, dampen them with water before spreading them in the pan.
- Display or store the treats in a single layer to preserve the look of the chocolate and M&Ms.
- When melting the caramel with the heavy cream, be sure to stir them together every 30 seconds or so. This helps everything combine and melt evenly without scalding.
- Always use fresh mini marshmallows and fresh rice crispy cereal for best results!
- Store at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
Gourmet Caramel Rice Krispie Treats taste as amazing as they look! Make these for a party, a bake sale or your next family dessert.
I made these for my son’s HS Football Awards Banquet and they are delicious! The boys and parents loved them! Great recipe thank you! I followed the recipe to a T! I didn’t change anything and they were awesome and looked professional. Everyone, use all the ingredients as the author suggests…thank her later….!!!!
Whoohoo!!! One of my favorite treats!
I made this recipe for my sons’ baseball team fundraiser bake sale. They turned out great! I have always made rice krispies treats similarly but these formed a little firmer which was good for the popsicle sticks and the packaging up to sell. The only problem i had was with the caramel… i melted down chips because I couldnt find the wafers and it turned out almost mealy (i dont know how else to explain it). Anyway i slathered some on a few anyway, and people still loved them! they just werent as beautiful. Along with the dark chocolate I also melted white chocolate and switched them all up to make various combos. The boys loved them and we had to make them save some for the bake sale! Thanks for the great, easy recipe!
Would it be okay to use the Kraft caramel squares instead of the bits? I just think they taste better!
Yes absolutely!
Would you believe that I’m a native of MI and I’ve NEVER been to Mackinac Island? I live in TX now but I WILL get to Mackinac someday. I LOVE fudge so I know that I’ll be in my glory. But first I’m going to try these Krispie treats. They look so delish and seem easy to make. YUM
Mackinac Island is like nowhere else! All the horse drawn carriages, no vehicles, it truly a special place 🙂
You got your inspo from kilwins didn’t you?!! Traverse city born and raised right here!!
Haha!! I sure did 🙂 I absolutely LOVED Traverse City. Such an awesome little town…we really enjoyed our time on the waterfront, eating at some of the restaurants, and of course, Kilwins 🙂
omg so much fudge! That sounds like the best vacation ever! And these rice krispie treats look awesome; I love that they’re on popsicle sticks- that just makes them so much more fun!