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5.0 from 111 votes

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Get the secret tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Rice Krispie Treats recipe. From using fresh butter and marshmallows to adding vanilla extract, this is our favorite dessert.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 9 large bars
Calories: 300 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons salted butter
  • 16 ounce bag mini marshmallows divided
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows and gently stir until combined.
  4. 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).
  5. Allow to set, about 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!

Notes

  • How many marshmallows do I need? One 16 ounce bag of marshmallows is about 8-9 cups. You'll melt all but one cup of the marshmallows in the butter, reserving the last cup for adding with the cereal.
  • 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 binder clips to help the parchment paper stay in place.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • The trick to pressing them in your pan without sticking to your hands is to run your fingers in water, shake off the excess, and press. Voila. No sticking!
  • Store in an airtight container for two days. If they last that long, I’d be shocked!
  • Make these gluten free by choosing a crispy rice cereal labeled Gluten Free (and check your marshmallow labels too just in case).
  • Can you freeze rice krispie treats? YES! I slide them on a parchment paper lined sheet into a ziploc freezer bag. Thaw on counter until soft again!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bar Calories 300kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 57g (19%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 139mg (6%) Sugar 31g (62%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9large bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 300

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bar
Calories 300kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 57g 19%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 139mg 6%
Sugar 31g 62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.