How to Make Classic Rice Crispy Treats
on May 12, 2019, Updated Jun 28, 2024
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Wondering how to make rice crispy treats? Then this easy recipe for perfect rice crispy treats is for you! A whole lot of love, and a whole lot of butter goes into making these soft & tender treats ideal for any afternoon!
Don’t rice crispy treats just bring you back to simpler times? These ultra-classic sweet and sticky bars were a favorite of mine growing up, and they’ve remained a staple in my home. Rice crispy treats will always be a go-to for kids’ activities and parties, as well as any kind of casual gathering. (These other variations are just as good too: Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats and Fruity Pebbles Treats)
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They come together SO FAST.
- They have the addition of some extra mini marshmallows that make them just so cute.
- They are yummier than your run of the mill rice crispy treats. And, seriously, who doesn’t love rice crispy treats?
Ingredients
- Butter
- Mini Marshmallows
- Vanilla Extract
- Rice Crispy Cereal
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Fruity Pebbles cereal makes a delicious alternative to plain rice crispies. (You can also substitute Cocoa Pebbles cereal but I think it is too sweet. )
- Scotcheroos are probably the most famous variation on a rice crispy treat.
How to Make Rice Crispy Treats
Step #1. Melt your butter, then add all but one cup of your marshmallows and stir over medium low heat until all melted.
Step #3. Spread the mixture into a prepared 9×9 pan.
Step #2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cereal, and remaining marshmallows until combined.
Step #4. Let the treats cool for 30 minutes (if you can) and then enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
There are a few key tips to avoid hard rice crispy treats:
– Cook your mallows at a low temp.
– Use fresh marshmallows.
– Don’t press things too hard into the pan.
– Use lots of butter (I use more than double what the “on the box” recipe calls for, and it’s delightful).
Make sure you butter your pan thoroughly before pouring the mixture into it and patting the treats out evenly. You also don’t want to press the mixture too hard into the pan.
They do not! But they may last longer if you store them in the fridge. I’d recommend covering them and leaving them out for 3 days maximum, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
Expert Tips
- Sometimes it’s helpful to grease your hands and use them to smoosh the mixture into the pan rather than use a spatula or spoon.
- For special occasions, or a Tuesday, you could add sprinkles, tiny chocolate candies, etc. to the mixture before stirring so that they feel a little more festive!
- Letting them cool completely makes them easier to cut into squares.
More No-Bake Desserts to Consider
From Scratch Recipes
Watergate Salad Recipe
No Bake Desserts
Healthy No-Bake Cheesecake
No Bake Desserts
Berries and Cream
Dessert Recipes
Banana Split
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Perfect Classic Rice Crispy Treats
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup or 1 stick
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups rice crispy cereal
Instructions
- Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan by greasing it well with butter.
- In a large pan on the stove, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low; add all of the marshmallows EXCEPT for 1 cup.
- Stir constantly, until the marshmallows are melted.
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the vanilla.
- Add the rice crispy cereal and the remaining one cup of mini mallows, and stir to combine well, making sure there are no dry pockets of cereal.
- Add the cereal to the prepared pan, and use a spatula to spread it out to an even layer, taking care not to press or smash it down. If a spatula isn’t cutting it, get your hands lightly damp, and gently press out the cereal. A buttered bottom of a measuring cup also works well.
- Let the rice crispy treats cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Keys to avoiding hard rice crispy treats: Cook your mallows at a low temp, use fresh marshmallows, don’t press things too hard into the pan, and use lots of butter (I use more than double what the “on the box” recipe calls for, and it’s delightful).
- Grease your hands to help push the mixture into the pan evenly.
- Fruity Pebbles make a great substitute.
- For special occasions you can add mix-ins like chocolate chips, mini chocolate candies, sprinkles, etc.
- They will be easier to cut if you wait until the mixture is completely cool.
My boys and I made this recipe. And just like Melissa promised the rice crispy treats turned out so soft and fluffy!! Thanks for all the tips and amazing recipe.