Perfect Rice Krispie Treats
Get the secret tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Rice Krispie Treats. Kid and adult friendly!
Be sure to sign up for my email…new recipes in your inbox
Click HERE to PIN IT for later!
I spend days and days trying to come up with the perfect cake. Or the most beautiful cupcakes. Or to create the fudgiest brownies.
But, it’s no secret, Rice Krispie Treats have always been the key to my heart.
Years ago I shared a story about my favorite treat. How sometimes when I make a batch of krispie treats I have eaten the whole 13×9 before my kids even arrive home from school. I’ve made myself sick many times overeating this treat.
I have no willpower. The lure of marshmallow is too powerful. I am weak.
But, it’s not ANY rice krispie treat that has this effect on me. For instance, store bought individually wrapped treats? YUCK. Barf. So fake tasting.
Or I’m sure you’ve experienced the Rice Krispie Treat that has been pressed into a crunchy square of grossness. Too hard to enjoy, not the soft and chewy treat you’ve come to love over the years!
I love Rice Krispie Treats so much that I’ve created over a dozen flavors….from Fluffernutter, or Cherry, or Pistachio….to Peppermint, Cinnamon Roll, and PayDay. I’ve even got these adorable TURKEY Krispie Treats for Thanksgiving!
But, in the end, it’s the classic RICE KRISPIE TREAT that draws me in. The biggest question is how to spell it. Some people say Rice Crispy, Some say Crispy Rice, some say Rice Crispies. Either way, you get the point!
How to make PERFECT Rice Krispie Treats:
- Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. This way you don’t have to worry about extra butter on your fingertips, or the other extreme of your bars sticking to the pan!
- Use fresh marshmallows. Seriously, they make a difference. Don’t grab that bag that’s been in your pantry for months and months thinking it will be okay since you are melting them. It won’t be okay.
- Add my secret ingredient. VANILLA EXTRACT. Not imitation vanilla, but PURE VANILLA extract. It makes a difference in creating the illusion that you’re using homemade marshmallows.
- Toss in some extra marshmallows with your cereal. This adds a whole dimension of chewiness!
- DO NOT (I repeat) DO NOT press these bars into your pan firmly. Using your fingertips, GENTLY press them in just until they are spread out. The harder you pack them in, the harder they are when it’s time to eat them!
- Store in an airtight container for two days. If they last that long, I’d be shocked! ENJOY
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #shugarysweets so I can see all the wonderful SHUGARY SWEETS recipes YOU make!
Connect with Shugary Sweets!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | instagram
Sign up to receive an email in your inbox for each new recipe:
Perfect Rice Krispie Treats:
Perfect Rice Krispie Treats
Yield: 9 large bars
Prep Time:10 minutes, plus 1 hour set time
Ingredients:
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 16 oz mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
Directions:
- Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in all but 1 cup of the marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Press GENTLY with your fingertips just until completely spread out (the harder you pack them in, the harder they are to eat).
- Allow to set, about 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!
MAKING THIS RECIPE? Share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #ShugarySweets so I can see what you're cooking up in the kitchen!
**This recipe for Perfect Rice Krispie Treats was first published on Shugary Sweets on October 27, 2016 and has been republished in May 2018.
**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**
You should try substituting 1/2 of the rice krispies with cocoa krispies. They are simply amazing!
Hi There from Australia thank you for this recipe. I make these with a 3/4 cup of desicated coconut. I will try the PB version too. Love rice Krispy squares. Here the cereal is called Rice Bubbles 🙂
I was out of of mini marshmallows so cut up 1 cup of large ones, it worked perfectly. While growing up one of my brothers would buy the ingredients & BEG me to make ’em for him. Adding unmelted marshmallows & vanilla is an excellent idea, great recipe 🙂
Thank you 🙂
My mum used to make these when we were wee. II dont remember her putting marsh mallows.
What else do you think it could have been We loved them x
Seriously, I can not have Rice Krispie Treats in my house. They are my danger food. I can not eat just one. This recipe sounds wonderful. I think it is good that they are made in a smaller pan than a 9×13. Otherwise I would be eating the 9×13.
Amiee you make Perfect Rice Krispie Treats very hard to resist.
Super and fast to make Thanks for all your great recipes Great MOM and all.
For me, perfect is using browned butter!
You know if add a tablespoon of milk to your rice krispie treats they stay sort and taste amazing!!