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Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

This Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe combines browned butter, marshmallows, and cereal for a chewy, rich, and flavorful twist.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 squares
Calories 210 kcal

Equipment

  • Large heavy-bottom pot (prevents burning during browning)
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Measuring cups
  • Offset spatula or clean hands (for pressing mixture)

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 10 oz about 280g marshmallows
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Additions (Highly Recommended)

  • 1 cup mini marshmallows for gooey pockets
  • ½ cup chocolate chips milk or dark
  • Flaky sea salt for finishing

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

  • Line your baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it. This step might seem small, but it makes removing and slicing the treats so much easier later.

Step 2: Brown the Butter

  • Place the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Let it melt completely, then continue cooking.
  • First, it will foam. Then the foam will settle slightly, and you’ll start to see tiny brown specks forming at the bottom. Stir gently and keep a close eye on it.
  • The moment it smells nutty and turns golden brown—almost like caramel—you’re there. Remove from heat briefly if needed to avoid burning.
  • This is the heart of the Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. Don’t rush it.

Step 3: Melt the Marshmallows

  • Lower the heat and add the marshmallows directly into the browned butter. Stir continuously until they melt into a smooth, glossy mixture.
  • Add the vanilla extract and salt. These small additions make a big difference—they round out the sweetness and enhance the flavor.

Step 4: Fold in the Cereal

  • Remove the pot from heat and immediately add the crispy rice cereal.
  • Gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Try not to crush the cereal—you want to keep that light, airy crunch.
  • If using extra mini marshmallows, fold them in now for soft, gooey pockets throughout.

Step 5: Transfer and Press

  • Pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Using a spatula or lightly greased hands, gently press it into an even layer.
  • Important: don’t press too firmly. You want the treats to stay soft, not dense.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

  • Let the mixture cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once set, lift it out using the parchment paper and cut into squares.

Notes

  • Always use fresh marshmallows for the best melt
  • Keep heat low when melting to avoid stiffness
  • Add a pinch of extra salt to balance sweetness
  • Work quickly once cereal is added—the mixture sets fast
  • Lightly grease your spatula to prevent sticking
Keyword Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe