Best Rice Krispie Treats

A childhood favorite you never outgrow—this Rice Krispie Treat recipe gets a few irresistible upgrades for even more gooey, buttery goodness!
Best Rice Krispie Treats
A few tweaks to the back-of-the-box recipe make these the best Rice Krispie Treats ever. Jennifer Segal
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I’m always hesitant to say a recipe is the “best ever,” especially for a dessert like Rice Krispie Treats that everyone knows and loves. But once you’ve tinkered around with a recipe for weeks—asking your kids, their friends, and anyone who passes through your house to sample different versions—you can say it’s the best with some confidence. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the original back-of-the-box Rice Krispie treat recipe, but it can be made so much better with almost no effort. Here’s how:
  • Use more butter (lots more) and brown it to deepen the flavor.
  • Increase the marshmallows and stir in some at the end for extra gooeyness.
  • Add vanilla extract for flavor.
  • Add salt because a little salt makes anything sweet taste so much better.
If you love Rice Krispie Treats, be sure to check out my Chewy, Gooey, Golden Rice Krispie Treats (made with a secret ingredient) or my Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats for a sweet-and-salty twist.

What You’ll Need To Make The Best Rice Krispie Treat Recipe

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal
  • Butter: Provides the rich, buttery flavor and helps bind the treats together. Browning it deepens the flavor, creating a nutty, caramel-like richness.
  • Mini Marshmallows: The main sweetener and binder, melted marshmallows create the gooey, sticky texture that gives Rice Krispie treats their characteristic chewiness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warm, aromatic flavor.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
  • Rice Krispies: These crisped rice cereal pieces absorb the melted marshmallow mixture and provide a crispiness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by melting the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. And don’t toss those butter wrappers—you’ll use them later to press the mixture into the pan without it sticking to your spatula!
(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Once the butter melts, it’ll start to bubble, foam, and turn golden around the edges. Keep a close eye on it—before long, it’ll turn a deep golden brown and smell nutty. But be careful! It can go from perfectly browned to burnt in seconds.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

You’ll notice little bits of golden brown sediment forming—that’s totally fine! But if they start to get too dark, just strain them out, then pour the brown butter back into the pot.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Add all but 2 cups of the marshmallows, the vanilla, and salt to the brown butter.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Set the pot over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Take the pot off the heat and add the Rice Krispies cereal. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir until everything is evenly coated.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Now toss in those reserved marshmallows and stir just until they soften and start to melt. Don’t overmix—you want those delicious pockets of goo!

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Transfer the mixture to a foil-lined baking dish. Using the butter wrappers you saved, press it gently into an even layer.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Let the treats cool for at least an hour, then use the foil overhang to lift them onto a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to cut them into squares. You can store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze them for longer storage.

(Jennifer Segal)
Jennifer Segal

Best Rice Krispie Treats

Makes 20 to 24 squares Cook Time: 20 Minutes Total Time: 20 Minutes, plus one hour to cool
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
  • Two 10-ounce bags mini marshmallows, divided
  • 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 1/2 cups Rice Krispies or crispy rice cereal (see note)
Line a 9 x 13-in pan with heavy duty aluminum foil and lightly grease with softened butter. Set aside 2 cups of the marshmallows. In a large pot or Dutch oven, preferably with a light bottom so you can monitor the color, melt the butter over medium heat (save the butter wrappers; you'll use them later for pressing the mixture into the pan). Swirl the pan occasionally to be sure the butter is cooking evenly.

As the butter melts, it will begin to bubble and foam, and the color will progress from bright yellow to golden to, finally, a toasty-brown. Once you smell that nutty brown butter aroma, take the pan off the heat. (You'll see little bits of golden brown sediment forming; that’s okay. However, if the sediment looks almost black, go ahead and pass the butter through a fine sieve to strain it out, then return the brown butter to the pan.)

Off the heat, add the remaining marshmallows, vanilla, and salt.

Place the pot back over medium heat and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the marshmallows are completely melted. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cereal. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir until evenly combined.

Add the reserved marshmallows and stir until they are softened and partially melted. Don’t overmix; you want pockets of goo. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and, using the butter wrapper or damp fingers, press the mixture gently into an even layer in the prepared baking pan. Let cool at room temperature for at least an hour.

Use the foil overhang to lift the treats onto a cutting board, then use a serrated bread knife to cut into squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Note: Kellogg’s no longer makes a gluten-free version of Rice Krispies, so if you have a gluten-sensitivity, make sure the cereal you purchase is certified gluten-free.

Freezer-Friendly Instructions: To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (24 servings)

Calories: 162, Fat: 6 g, Saturated fat: 4 g, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Sugar: 15 g, Fiber: 0 g, Protein: 1 g, Sodium: 93 mg, Cholesterol: 15 mg

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you’re following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
This article was originally published on OnceUponaChef.comFollow on Instagram
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Jennifer Segal
Jennifer Segal
Author
Jennifer is a classically trained chef, Cookbook author, and busy mom. She became interested in cooking in college while studying abroad in France and living with a French family. She is a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine. Visit OnceUponaChef.com.
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