Get the secret tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Rice Krispies Treats recipe. From using fresh butter and marshmallows to adding vanilla extract, this is my favorite dessert.
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The BEST Rice Krispies Treat Recipe
There are thousands of recipes for making homemade krispie treats, and I’m putting it out there that my recipe is BEST. You may see some similar nowadays, but they all stem from my original add-ins.
- Only 4 ingredients
- Thick and chewy
- Vanilla flavor
- Perfect ratio of cereal to marshmallows
We love that this classic treat can be changed up using different cereals too!
- Chocolate– Cocoa Krispie Treats
- Fruity– Fruity Pebbles Treats
- S’mores– Golden Grahams Treats
- Cheerios– Cheerio Treats
The Original Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats have always been the key to my heart. Knowing how to make rice krispie treats has gotten me far in life.
- I love crispy treats so much that I’ve created over a dozen flavors….from Fluffernutter Krispie Treats to Cinnamon Roll Krispie Treats.
- I’ve even got these adorable TURKEY Krispie Treats and this Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treat for Thanksgiving!
But, in the end, it’s the classic, original, homemade rice krispie treat that captures my taste buds.
The biggest question is how to spell it. Some people say Rice Crispy treat, Some say Crispy Rice, some say Rice Crispies. Either way, you get the point! This rice crispy treats recipe is the best!
Ingredients You Need
- Butter- use salted butter for this recipe. Just trust me! Don’t have any on hand? Use unsalted butter and a pinch of salt while melting. DO NOT use margarine.
- Marshmallows- you’ll need 9 cups of mini marshmallows, keeping about 1 cup aside to add in at the end!
- Rice Krispies Cereal- any brand of crispy rice cereal will work, just make sure it’s FRESH.
Aimee’s Secret Ingredient
Adding my homemade vanilla extract or any pure vanilla extract takes this recipe over the top. Or make it lemon flavored using our easy lemon rice krispie treat recipe.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treats
Making rice krispie treats is super easy. You’ll only need one pot and a spatula for stirring! Oh, and I love making mine in a 9-inch square pan, for thicker bars, but you can use a 13×9 if you prefer.
- Melt butter & marshmallows.
- Add vanilla, cereal, and remaining marshmallows to the mixture.
- Pour into dish to set! No need to use nonstick spray…but I do love a piece of parchment paper for easy cleanup and removal.
Quick Tips
- Use fresh marshmallows. Using stale marshmallows will result in stale treats. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way.
- Brown the butter. Learn how to brown butter and make a batch of my flavorful brown butter rice krispie treats next!
- 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.
- Kelloggs is wrong. DO NOT press these bars into your pan firmly. Using your fingertips and gentlypress 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. Dip 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).
Why are my rice krispie treats hard?
As mentioned above, you’ll get hard rice krispie treats a number of ways.
Using stale ingredients will results in stale, hard treats. So always use fresh marshmallows and fresh cereal too.
Avoid pressing your bars too firmly into the pan. The harder you press, the more firm the rice krispies treats will be.
Storing Leftovers
Rarely is this the case in my house, as we all know I can eat an entire pan of homemade rice krispie treats. But, should you find yourself with leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I usually just slide them into a ziploc bag.
Or you can freeze rice krispie treats. I was skeptical for a long time, and finally tried it out. I slide my leftovers into a ziploc freezer bag and placed them in the freezer.
Surprisingly, they thaw pretty quickly on the counter and they taste super fresh too!
More Rice Krispie Treat Flavors
Add in some flavored gelatin (or pudding mix) to the melted marshmallow for a unique twist! Cherry Krispie Treats!
Make Lucky Charms Treats for a St.Paddy’s Day dessert idea.
- For best results, name brand cereal stays fresher longer and can hold up to the melted butter and marshmallows better
- Always start with fresh marshmallows. If you use stale marshmallows in hopes that melting them will give you good results, you’ll be disappointed!
- More mix-ins: fold in some m&m’s or Reese’s peanut butter cups for a delicious dessert idea.
Best Rice Krispie Treats
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Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounce bag mini marshmallows divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
Instructions
- 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 and gently stir until combined.
- 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!
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!
Video
Nutrition
Original Rice Krispie Treats recipe with all the tips and tricks for making them thick and chewy!
I added some chopped pecans to the last batch I made, so good! Definitely added the vanilla
Oooh, never thought about adding pecans!
I always use real vanilla and add 1/3 cup of dry white cake mix to the marshmallow/ butter mixture. I add another tablespoon of butter and a handful of marshmallow as “extra” to compensate for the dry mix. People go crazy for them..every time!
Yummy idea!
I add marshmallow cream to mine!????
My bars fall apart, what did I do wrong?
Mine did, too! Nobody would eat them because they constantly fell apart. I thought maybe the butter since the the recipe on the back of the box says only 3T.
They definitely do not fall apart, I would double check the ingredient measurements, we make these weekly with no issues!
How many cups of mini marshmallows? All I can buy are ten oz bags. Thank you!
Is it ok to use large marshmallows for this recipe and if so do you know the amount? I’m really excited to try out this recipe for Christmas treats this year!
Totally agree! I have had some terrible rice crispy treats. I’m such a crispy snob that I will only eat mine now lol. Another tip is to never ever EVER sub real butter for anything else. Just because it’s in stick form does not mean it’s butter! Real butter people!
Have never been a fan of RK treats, but that just changed! Thank you so much for the recipe and to everyone for the add in tips. I will try them all!
You’re welcome!
Made this last week. Omg! What a difference. I will never make it any other way again. Am gonna use cocoa crispies next time. CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!
So glad you love them as much as I do!!
How would I need to modify the recipe if I have a 9×13 pan? Thanks so much 🙂 I’m making a bunch of different baked goods for a charity bake sale and this recipe looks great but I just have the one pan. Appreciate you!
You can double the recipe 🙂 ENJOY!
Oh my Goodness! I just made these and I can barely contain myself, they barely made it to the pan to spread it out. I see my son running back and fourth and figured out he keeps getting little pieces then he runs back! That you so much for sharing this fabulous recipe, it is the best! I will always be making these. I so recommend everyone to make them. My family and I thank you!
You’re quite welcome!!
If you want to make a 9×13 would you just double the recipe?
Sure!
I love adding a 1/4 tsp of almond extract, in place of the vanilla..I think it brings out the marshmallow flavor better. :)))
Great tip!
If you would like to bump it up a notch try the following:
When melting the butter, brown it. Till it gets the little brown bits.
After placing in your pan, sprinkle with sea salt.
I’m telling you one thing. You will never go back to the standard RK treat !
Yum!
It’s my go to dessert because I can’t have gluten. And there is gluten in EVERYTHING!! Thanks! I surely will try this recipe!!
Love these so would love to have recipes on this line. Or any good ones as I love sweets.
LOVE these tips!!!! I’m totally due to make some rice krispie treats too!
Love your recipe! Turns out great every time. I used Lucky Charms for St Patrick’s Day. They were a hit! I didn’t get one.☹️
So much better if you add peanut butter better still make it crunchy peanut butter.
How much PB do you add? Is it a replacement for something else in the recipe?
You’re not alone in your love of Rice Krispie Treats!!! Every time I make them for a party, the adults always demolish them ???? Yours look like the perfect ooey gooey treat!!
Seriously I thought I was the only person on the planet that can not stay out of a pan of Rice Krispy treats. They are a trigger food. Yes, I have eaten enough until I am full and sick. I just can not stay out of them. These look wonderful. I like too that I would not need to eat the whole 9×13 just a 9×9.
Ha! It’s still the same amount just in a different pan. Good one though…
Hello, where I leave is hard to always find the jet puffed by kraft marshmallows, how about making homemade marshmallows recipe instead, with all your tips, have you tryed it?
Oh yes, vanilla adds so much to these. Yuck is right on the store bought ones. No comparison to the ones you can make.