Caramelized Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats
These Caramelized Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats are an elevated version of the classic Rice Krispies treat, with a rich and nutty flavor from the browned butter. They’re perfectly chewy, gooey, and utterly irresistible!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces butter salted or unsalted, preferably cultured
- 2 10 ½-ounce bags of marshmallows (see note)
- 12- ounce box Rice Krispies cereal
- Optional: ⅛ teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter
- Extra butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
Prepare the pan
- Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper, or grease it well with butter.
Brown the butter
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. The butter will first melt, then foam, then turn golden, and finally, begin to brown. Stir frequently and watch carefully to avoid burning.
Add marshmallows
- Once the butter has browned and you smell a nutty aroma, add the marshmallows (and salt, if using unsalted butter). Stir constantly until the marshmallows melt completely, and the mixture turns a light, golden brown.
Mix in Rice Krispies
- Turn off the heat and add the Rice Krispies cereal to the pot. Stir gently, ensuring each piece of cereal is coated with the marshmallow-butter mixture.
Transfer to the pan
- Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and press it down gently using your hands. If it’s too sticky, butter your hands to make this step easier.
Cool and cut
- Let the treats cool completely before cutting them into squares or bars.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 30 to 50 treats, depending on the size of the squares.
- For a vegan version, substitute with vegan marshmallows and plant-based butter.
- Make sure to watch the butter closely as it browns to avoid burning it.
- If the mixture is too sticky when pressing into the pan, butter your hands to help with pressing.