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These Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats are a gooey, chewy twist on the classic dessert. Brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes these easy no-bake treats extra delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love classic Rice Krispie treats, this version takes everything you already love and makes it even better. The brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that gives these treats a delicious depth you don’t get in the traditional recipe. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.
You’ll also love how quick and easy this recipe is to make. No baking required and it comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for last-minute desserts, holiday treats, or a fun recipe to make with kids.
And the best part? Everyone will know something tastes extra delicious, but they won’t quite be able to figure out the secret ingredient!
Once you taste one of these brown butter rice krispie treats you will never be able to settle for a regular rice krispie treat again. With just a couple minutes more you can turn a classic treat into something amazing.
Ingredients
- Marshmallows. You can use full size marshmallows or mini marshmallows but I almost always use the mini because I find they melt easier and more evenly. I use an entire 16 oz. bag of marshmallows.
- Rice Krispies. My cereal to marshmallow ratio is different than you will find for the classic rice krispie treat recipe on the cereal box. Using more marshmallow makes for a softer and gooey treat!!
- Brown Butter. Be sure and follow the tutorial here and don’t skip this part, it gives the treats amazing flavor.
- Flaky Salt. Use a good quality salt, not a table salt. This is my favorite French fleur de sel that I use all the time. You can also use a Kosher salt or any flaky sea salt. Half of the salt is added into the marshmallow mixture and the other half is reserved to sprinkle on top.
- Vanilla Extract
How to Make Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Melt butter in a heavy bottom pan and stir until it begins to foam and turn golden brown. Stir constantly. It can go from browned to burned very quickly.
- Add marshmallows to brown butter and stir until marshmallows are melted. Use a heavy bottom pan so you don’t burn the mixture. Stir constantly.
- Add the marshmallow mixture into the cereal in a large bowl and stir until the cereal is totally coated.
- Press the mixture into a buttered or parchment lined 9 x 13 pan. If you want a thinner treat, use a larger pan. I like my treats light and airy so I don’t push the cereal mixture down too much, just gently to even it out.
- Sprinkle the remaining salt over the top, while the treats are still warm, then allow the treats to cool and set up before removing from the pan.
- Cut the treats into any size square you like, I like mine big!
Tips from leigh Anne
- Don’t rush the brown butter. Cook the butter over medium heat and watch it closely. It will foam, then the milk solids will turn golden brown and smell nutty. Remove it from the heat as soon as it turns amber so it doesn’t burn.
- Use fresh marshmallows. Fresh marshmallows melt smoother and give you softer, gooier Rice Krispie treats. Older marshmallows can make the mixture stiff.
- Stir gently. Once the cereal is added, fold everything together gently so the cereal stays light and crisp instead of getting crushed.
- Mix in Candy.For the perfect chocolate crunch, stir in 2 cups crushed Cadbury mini eggs or M & M’s after the cereal is coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Press lightly into the pan.When spreading the mixture into the pan, don’t pack it down too firmly. Light pressure keeps the treats soft and chewy rather than dense.
- Add extra candy on top.Press a few additional crushed Cadbury eggs or M & M’s onto the top of the treats before they set. It makes them extra festive and lets everyone see the colorful candy pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to store Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats?
To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I put a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together.
They are best eaten within a couple of days, if it is going to be longer than that I recommend freezing them
Can I freeze rice krispie treats?
These treats freeze really well. You can cut them into squares and wrap each square individually in plastic wrap and then put the squares together in an airtight container or ziploc bag.
That way you can easily pull one out at a time and enjoy them.
If you know you are going to be serving all of them at the same time, I will just layer them between pieces of wax paper or parchment paper in an airtight container.
They will keep for up to six months in the freezer. Just let stand at room temperature for 30-40 minutes before serving
What is Brown Butter?
We like to call brown butter liquid gold at our house. It is butter that has been browned in a pan. I have a whole post on how to make brown butter that you can check out for an easy to follow tutorial.
The flavor of these treats is truly something special. I love watching someone take a bite and then pause, trying to figure out what makes them different. Most people guess the hint of salt, but they can’t quite put their finger on the real secret—the brown butter. That rich, nutty flavor takes a classic Rice Krispie treat and turns it into something unforgettable. Once you try them this way, you may never go back to the original!
Check out more of my favorite rice krispie treat recipes:
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt divided
- 20 oz. mini marshmallows 10 cups
- 12 oz Rice Krispie cereal 10 cups
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom pan, melt butter and stir until it begins to foam and turn golden brown. Stir constantly. It can go from browned to burned very quickly.
- Add in marshmallows and stir until marshmallows melt. Add in half of the salt and vanilla.
- Put cereal in a large bowl. Pour marshmallow mixture over the top and stir to combine and totally coat cereal.
- Place mixture into a greased or parchment lined 9 x 13 pan. Lightly push into pan.
- Sprinkle with remaining salt and allow to cool and set up.
- Cut into squares to serve.
Tips & Notes:
- Don’t rush the brown butter. Cook the butter over medium heat and watch it closely. It will foam, then the milk solids will turn golden brown and smell nutty. Remove it from the heat as soon as it turns amber so it doesn’t burn.
- Use fresh marshmallows. Fresh marshmallows melt smoother and give you softer, gooier Rice Krispie treats. Older marshmallows can make the mixture stiff.
- Stir gently. Once the cereal is added, fold everything together gently so the cereal stays light and crisp instead of getting crushed.
- Mix in Candy.For the perfect chocolate crunch, stir in 2 cups crushed Cadbury mini eggs or M & M’s after the cereal is coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Press lightly into the pan.When spreading the mixture into the pan, don’t pack it down too firmly. Light pressure keeps the treats soft and chewy rather than dense.
- Add extra candy on top.Press a few additional crushed Cadbury eggs or M & M’s onto the top of the treats before they set. It makes them extra festive and lets everyone see the colorful candy pieces.
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Nutrition Facts:
Jana says
Just made these and they are DELICIOUS! The recipe calls for only 12oz of rice Krispy cereal which I think is a typo? I added 7 cups which seemed to be perfect! Love the brown butter taste!