The BEST Rice Krispie Treats
This is the absolute best rice krispie treats recipe! It is LOADED with gooey marshmallow sauce, crunchy Rice Krispie cereal, and extra pockets of marshmallows; these treats have it all. Whether you are making them for a holiday, birthday, or just because, this version of the classic and nostalgic treat is beyond perfect every time.
I have loved rice krispie treats my entire life. We didn’t have them all the time, but I LOVED when my mom would make them or I’d go to a birthday party where they were served.
I’ve made countless rice krispie treat recipes over the years, but still hadn’t found THE ONE when it came to plain and simple Rice Krispies treats. I yearned for those huge, pillowy soft and gooey treats you find at bakeries. Well, this is absolutely it. Hands down, 100%, best ever.
Why These are the Best Rice Krispie Treats
There isn’t a huge secret ingredient or earth-shattering method to making these the most amazing rice krispie treats you’ll ever have; it’s all in the butter/marshmallow/cereal ratio!
The original recipe for rice krispie treats (printed on the box) calls for:
- 3 tablespoons butter :: 4 cups mini marshmallows :: 6 cups cereal
THIS recipe, meanwhile, uses the following:
- 10 tablespoons butter :: 16 cups miniature marshmallows :: 12 cups cereal
So while we double the amount of cereal (because we want to make huge, bakery-style treats), we QUADRUPLE the amount of marshmallows (and throw in ANOTHER 4 cups of non-melted marshmallows for extra pillowy gooeyness) and increase the butter by 3.33. The secret is all in that gooey butter and marshmallow sauce!
Just a Few Ingredients
You only need a handful of ingredients to make these amazing treats:
- Butter – I use unsalted butter and then add in kosher salt, but if all you have is salted butter, you can absolutely use that.
- Marshmallows – I find that miniature marshmallows are the best for making the sauce and of course for adding in at the end!
- Kosher Salt + Pure Vanilla Extract – To amp up and balance out all of the flavors.
- Rice Krispie Cereal – You will need almost exactly one 12-ounce box of cereal to make this recipe.
Mix-ins and Flavors
It really doesn’t get more fun than rice krispie treats but here are a few ways to mix them up or flavor them:
- Sprinkles! -Stir in multi-color sprinkles for a funfetti look to your treats.
- Mini Chocolate Chips- For the chocoholics in your life add in mini chocolate chips.
- Butterscotch Chips – Give your rice krispies a scotcheroo-like flavor by adding in butterscotch chips.
- Almond Extract – In place of vanilla try using almond extract for a wedding cake flavor!
- Nuts – Add in your favorite chopped nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, cashews, etc.)
- Favorite Candy – Chop up peanut butter cups, Oreo cookies, use M&Ms, etc.
How to Make Them
They are so quick and easy!
Step #1: Prep the Pan – Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (I prefer to do this with butter); I like using a glass pan best since I usually cut the treats in the pan. You can also line a baking dish with foil (leave an overhang for easy removal), and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
Step #2: Make the Marshmallow Sauce – Melt the butter and 16 cups of the marshmallows in a large pot or Dutch oven over low heat until the marshmallows are melted. Stir in the salt and vanilla, then remove from heat.
Step #3: Stir in the Cereal + More Marshmallows – Stir in the Rice Krispies until they are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture, then stir in the additional 4 cups of mini marshmallows.
Step #4: Press into Baking Dish – Turn the mixture into the prepared pan using either parchment paper, wax paper, or a utensil (or your fingers) that has been greased, press the mixture firmly into a packed, even layer. Allow to set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then cut and enjoy!
Different Ways to Cut Rice Krispie Treats
One of the best things about these treats is their ability to take just about any shape! Here are a few other ways you can slice and serve your treats:
- Triangles: Cut the treats into squares and then slice diagonally through the center to make triangles.
- Circles: Using a biscuit cutter, press and cut the rice krispies into circles. Press the scraps back into a prepared baking dish and cut remaining circles.
- Cookie Cutters: If you want to press other shapes with cookie cutters using this recipe, I would recommend dividing the recipe into two 9×13-inch pans. This will result in thinner rice krispies that can then be easily cut with cookie cutters into every shape under the sun.
Storing, Freezing, and Making Ahead
- Storing + Shelf Life- They are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I do not recommend refrigerating these, as it will dry out the treats.
- Ultra-fresh: You can go one step further and wrap them individually in plastic wrap to keep them REALLY fresh.
- Freezing- If you want to freeze them, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer ziploc bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Make-ahead- I truly believe the best rice krispies are the ones fresh from the pan but if you want to make them in advance remember to make them no more than 3 days before you plan to serve them or freeze them right away.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- To help with your grocery list, you will use three (10-ounce) bags of miniature marshmallows for this recipe. And one (12-ounce) box of crispy rice cereal.
- You can omit the extra marshmallows that get stirred in at the end if you wish without making any adjustments to the recipe.
- You can make rice krispie treats with marshmallow fluff for the sauce if you’d like. Substitute four (7.5-ounce) jars of marshmallow fluff for the 16 cups of miniature marshmallows that are called for in the recipe. Heat the marshmallow fluff with the melted butter over low heat and proceed with the recipe as directed.
- How to keep the crispy rice treats mixture from sticking when pressing it into the pan – Spray the wooden spoon or rubber spatula you are using (or your hands) with non-stick cooking spray, use the butter wrapper, or a square of parchment paper to press the mixture into the pan.
Rice Krispie Treats Variations
I’ve made tons of versions of the homemade rice krispie treat, and these are some of my favorites:
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats with White Chocolate
- Snickers Rice Krispie Treats
- Rocky Road Rice Krispie Treats
- Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
Watch the Recipe Video:
If you make this rice krispie treats recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️
Best-Ever Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 20 cups (1134 g) miniature marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- 12 cups (336 g) Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with foil, then coat with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large saucepan or stockpot, melt the butter and 16 cups (680 grams) of the miniature marshmallows over low heat until the marshmallows are just melted. Stir in the salt and vanilla to combine. Remove the pan from the heat, add the Rice Krispies and mix until it is completely and evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture. Stir in the additional 4 cups of miniature marshmallows.
- Turn the mixture out into the prepared pan and, using a wooden spoon or spatula that has been coated in non-stick cooking spray, press the mixture firmly into a packed, even layer. Allow to set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Using the foil, remove the treats from the pan and slice into squares. Leftover rice krispie treats should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Marshmallows: You will use three (10-ounce) bags of miniature marshmallows for this recipe.
- Omitting Extra Marshmallows: You can omit the extra marshmallows that get stirred in at the end if you wish. You do not need to make any adjustments to the recipe.
- Using Marshmallow Fluff: You can substitute four (7.5-ounce) jars of marshmallow fluff for the 16 cups of miniature marshmallows that are called for in the recipe. Heat the marshmallow fluff with the melted butter over low heat and proceed with the recipe as directed.
- Mix-Ins & Flavors: See the post above for suggestions on mix-ins and additional flavors.
- Storing + Shelf Life: These are best within 1 day of making them, but you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them ultra-fresh, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze them, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer ziploc bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
This recipe was originally published in May 2016.
Photography by Dee Frances.
Well fiddle. I’ve made this recipe multiple times – it is the best – but I decided I’d weigh my ingredients this time per recipe. Weights are not correct, which I figured out halfway into the recipe. So not sure how this batch will turn out. 😢 10 oz bag of marshmallows is 283 g so you’ll need 4 bags, not 3. Divide 1134 g by 20 = 56.7 so in the body of the instructions it should be 907 grams for 16 c, not 680. Remaining 4 c would weigh 226 g.
But then again math is not my subject so maybe I’m missing something
Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!
These are so good and addictive. I know they’ll be a hit at tonight’s party. I took a few extra minutes and browned the butter. I also added a sprinkle of cinnamon and saved the butter wrap to help pat down the mixture into the pan. I will definitely be making these again. Delish!
Try browning the butter before adding the marshmallows, it takes them to the next level!
You mention this recipe uses 3–10oz bags of mini marshmallows, but you also say 20 cups. According to the marshmallow bag, 3 bags yield only 18 cups. So, is 3 bags enough? Likewise, a 12 oz box of Rice Krispies yields only 320 g. Is one box enough?
I apologize for being so picky, but I’m a stickler for measurements, and this recipe sounds so good. I want to try it. Thanks so much.
Hi Karen, The packaging may have changed slightly since I originally developed this recipe (it’s been almost 10 years). But I still use 3 bags and 1 box when I make them and haven’t noticed a difference!
Elevate these 1 more step by first browning the butter, then add marshmallows to melt & proceed forward – simply THE.BEST!
Would live to try, but don’t understsnd the 3.33 reference on the butter?
Thsnk yoususan
Best Rice Krispie bars I’ve made!
These are the only ones I ever make. Even grown men say “oh my Goodness” while their mouth is still full with their first bite. If you want a delicious twist, brown the butter first before putting in marshmallows and add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla. Such a warm, nutty, cozy spin on it!
Too many marshmallows made it not crispy.
These BEB Rice Krispie Treats are SO GOOD! I appreciate that you mentioned ‘three 10 oz bags of mini marshmallows.’
I did add the extras at the end for extra fluff and flavor.
Thank you for another exceptional recipe! I may dip in melted chocolate the next time! :)
I forgot to rate this recipe.
Five stars for sure!
These were phenomenal!!! I got so many compliments on them and I’m absolutely addicted. I put them in silicone baking molds to shape them into hearts and they looked so cute!
This is by far my fav recipe for marshmallow treats 🥰I sometimes turn a half pan into scotcharoos to get a chocolate fix 🥰
I am asked by friends and family to bring these treats to dinners. Although the children love them, it is the adults that rave over them. Thank you for another great recipe. This one is by far the best.
This recipe was spot on. I would say allow more than 30 minutes for the treat to cool and fully set. If you’re looking for a serious marshmallow pull, this is it right here! Enjoy and cut responsibly.
Can I use the large marshmallows in this? Walmart subbed my minis and didn’t tell me 😬
Need to know today if someone can answer!
Yes you can!
Target did this to me (I hate when they do that)! I made them today with the regular marshmallows and it took a bit longer to melt than the minis, but it still works! This recipe is always a delicious hit!
I used the large ones, it did take longer to melt on low heat so not to burn. I figured 3 10 oz mini equals 30oz. Which was 1 16oz bag of large marshmallows plus about 1/4 of a second bag. I also tore some the extra ones into pieces & tossed the pieces with the dry cereal before pouring in the melted marshmallow mixture. Delicious!!! 5 stars for sure
The best!!
Here is fun twist, especially around Easter. Get the craziest flavors of Peeps you can find and make a batch of rice crispy treats with Peeps instead of marshmallows. Mind blown! 😉
-Scott
Amazing!!! I have made this recipe at LEAST 20 times and never disappointed. These are the ONLY rice krispie treats I make.
Moist, gooey, great balance to the flavor. Huge improvement over the box recipe! Have made this many times for different crowds, they are always impressed.
I do leave out the extra marshmallows though.
I have been using this recipe for over 3 yrs now and absolutely love it! The best rice krispies recipe, hands down. Great job Michelle!
I have a question, my recipe that I printed years ago says that we need 20 cups of mini marshmallows or 850g. The recipe now says 20 cups or (1134g) Just wanted to make sure that I have the correct number. Thank you
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Every time I make these, everybody loves them. I love that they are soft and don’t hurt the roof of my mouth when I bite down on them, but they are addicting. I use a sheet of parchment paper and my hands to push down the treats.
Bar none, the best Rice Krispie squares recipe I’ve ever tried! I could barely wait the 30 minutes for it to set-just delicious! Thank you
I cannot believe I could not get the marshmallows to melt with the butter. Low heat, but nothing. I could be ‘still stirring’, but I mixed & probable crushed the cereal, but they would not make a syrup. WHY??? I am not sure I will do this again. HELP. They were fresh mini mallows, fresh butter, but disaster. It’s been too many years since I made them. WHATS UP???
I think it may be due to marshmallows being too old. I’ve had the exact same thing happen to me and, I know that mine had been in the pantry for a while. I’ve made a lot of rice krispie treats in my day so, to have a fail is just mind boggling since they aren’t exactly difficult. So again, old marshmallows is my only thought. The recipe even states to make sure you use fresh, although it doesn’t specifically state why.
You say they were fresh marshmallows, but are you positive? What you described is exactly what happens when old marshmallows or too many marshmallows in the pot.
i’ve made this several times and never disappoints! everyone loves them!
For chocolate lovers, what is the amount of chocolate chips you should add?
Thanks!
Holy cow are these good! This is the new go to recipe at our house. They are so soft and not too sweet. The extra marshmallows that get added at the end make them look like they really did come from the bakery.
Can I substitute butter for margarine or no.
Years ago you suggested to a writer that you cold put them in a cupcake pan for convenience in having a individual serving. What would happen if you added a paper liner? Would the rice-krispies stick terribly to it? Would it be better to grease the cupcake pan or would that make the treats too greasy?
Don’t use paper liners. I used parchment or wax paper once and it was an epic failure. The paper stuck and I couldn’t salvage.
Absolutely delicious! The salt is a game changer!
I made your Rice Krispy Treats and shared them with six of my neighbors and their kids. They LOVED them!
I have been sharing my cooking with a few neighbors for years but have added children in the mix for this treat. Thank you.
I’ve been using your recipe since I found it a few years back, I absolutely LOVE this recipe and so does anyone I’ve ever made them for. I have also made them using Cocoa Pebbles cereal and they are amazing! The extra half-way melted marshmallows make them ultra gooey and delicious. Thank you for sharing this and so many of your other delicious recipes that I’ve saved and use over and over.
Would it be possible to put how many ounces of marshmallows and cereal you use in this recipe? That would be so helpful! Thank you!!
I use 40 oz of marshmallows, melt half with the butter and add the other half after removing from heat.
Shannon, In the recipe notes, it states that you need 3 (10-ounce) bags of marshmallows, so 30 ounces. I just googled the weight of Rice Krispies and 12 cups would be about 11.5 ounces.
These have been pinned to my “Recipes We Love!” board for years! Always a big hit!
These are fabulous – if you want to step it up a notch, brown the butter, then add marshmallows and proceed from there – it adds a little extra boost!! YUMMY!!
Oh great idea! I was just going to post I’m kind of a “purist” with many classic recipes, and Michelle’s recipe is perfect–but your little subtle twist sounds kinda spectacular😊
Love this recipe I’ve now made it 4 times . I don’t think I’ll make the original ever again.
Please suggest me :—instead of marshmallow what should I use
I can attest that these are the best Rice Krispy Treats. My son LOVES Rice Krispy treats and I used to make the one on the back of the box for awhile, then I tried this recipe. There has been no going back. I normally have large marshmallows on hand, so 2 bags of those works perfectly in this recipe if you don’t have the mini’s. I used Pam on my hands once and he refused to eat them, he said they tasted funny. Now, I wet my hands with warm water and the treats don’t stick to my hands and leaves zero taste. I even really like them and I have never been a fan of Rice Krispy treats.
These are the Best Ever Rice Krispie Treats! I have even made them in fun silicone holiday molds and they turn out so cute! They freeze great! So many compliments for this recipe, we love them and I have made them so many times!
Thank you, Lou Ann! Using silicone molds is a fantastic idea!
These are my family’s absolute favorite Rice Krispie treats! I would absolutely put these up against any “bakery” Rice Krispie treats! Delicious!!
Hi Wendy, I am so thrilled to hear this!!
I made these for my six-year-old granddaughter’s birthday but I use Fruity Pebbles instead of Rice Krispies. They were awesome
last year before Christmas I made these and froze them, to say they were less than wonderful would be an understatement. However they were the most delicious things I ever had, before I put them in the freezer.
You really can’t stop eating them, I ate them until I was truly sick but it was worth it😹
These really are amazing. The next day taste even better!
Hi! We love plain RKT, yum 😋
This recipe is simple the BEST!
It’s my go to and it’s always a hit!!
Thank you for sharing it with us!
I love plain and simple Rice Krispy treats! My daughter and I made a batch two weeks ago! We like them soft and gooey but not refrigerated!
After looking at your recipe we definitely will be trying it with more mini marshmallows!!
Thanks. I usually get rave reviews on my recipe but I can see how this recipe would be fantastic
These are, no lie, the best homemade rice krispie trieats ever! We’ve made them several times, using this recipe.
No doubt about it; these are the best. My gluten free daughter requests these for our family vacation every year since I found this recipe. She has one every morning for breakfast, of course. Then we all have them for snacks the rest of the day. Because I ran out of other cereal one morning I ate the left over organic rice cereal. It was horrible and I told my daughter so. She promptly replied, “ I would never eat those without butter and marshmallows!” The treats are best with no added ingredients. Simple is best.
This is the only recipe I ever use! I printed it off a few years ago, and it is always a huge hit. Thank you for sharing it.
Have you tried browning the butter to make your Rice Krispy treats? Yummy!
My son LOVES these! I used to make the original recipe and they were ok, but then, these came into our lives and we have never looked back! I do use 2 bags of regular sized marshmallows if that’s all I have on hand and they come out perfectly gooey and delicious. My son also likes the thickness of them and when I make a pan, they don’t last long. Try this recipe, don’t skip the vanilla, and you will love it.
I have found that when I sprayed my hands with non stick cooking spray to press them into the pan,, my son wouldn’t eat them. Now, as I press them into the pan, I wet my hands down a little bit, 2-3 times, and the treats don’t stick to them.
Would this same recipe work with Cocoa Krispies? I just tried a bite and it was amazing and then my husband said next time we make these we should try Cocoa ones. Wasn’t sure if there was a separate recipe for those or not. Thank you for the amazing recipe this will be my go to from on.
Best ever! My go to recipe. Everyone loves them!
I’m confused by this recipe. The description states that you quadruple the amount of marshmallows that are normally in the basic Rice Krispy Treats recipe on the box, but the normal recipe calls for a 10 oz. bag of mini marshmallows (ie 4 cups). That means this recipe should take 5 bags. 4 bags for the 16 cups of marshmallows and 1 extra bag for the non melted ones. Yet in the instructions and comments it calls for 3 bags. That’s not quadruple, it’s just double, same as the Rice Krispies, plus a bag for non melted.
Which is it? And why has no one else asked this in all these years? I read all the comments thinking I must be missing something, but I just don’t get it!
I can’t speak to what’s listed as the cup measurements and bags required on the cereal box, but in my recipe development, I found that each 10-ounce bag yielded about 6 ⅔ cups of marshmallows, therefore for the 20 cups called for in this recipe, three bags are required.
I have made this recipe and it is my absolute favorite. I’m obsessed with McAlister’s Marshmallow Bars and this recipe (to me) tastes even better! Since discovering this recipe, I have tried it with Fruity Pebbles and Coco Rice Krispy’s. Each one has turned out fantastic!
Pro Tip: Never use butter that is made with any type of oil, only use unsalted butter, the sticks are best. If you use butter made with oil the marshmallow treats come out tasting stale and soggy.
You know, if you dig REAL hard, into the very old and dusty stashes of recipes from decades ago, you’ll find that the currently-printed recipe for rice crispy treats wasn’t 3 TBSP of butter. It was an entire stick. It was conceptually meant to be a very simple thing: A stick of butter, a bag of mini marshmallows, and a box of crisp rice (10 oz, I think, but maybe 12), and maybe some salt/ vanilla. The modern recipe started printing 3TBSP of butter in the heydey of the low fat craze, and the jerks have never changed it back. I grew up in the 80’s and remember my aunt making these divine rice crispy treats. For years I tried, but they never came out the same when I tried to make them.
But one day, while reading about them, I spied something on Kellogg’s webpage. There was this hazy, tiny-resolution recipe on a box. This was clearly not something they meant to “print”, but a detail I picked up in a photo. In fact, it was hard to make out the individual letters and numbers, but I could make out the key words: Bag, box, and most importantly, STICK. Not TBSP, but STICK. I made the recipe with a stick of butter and haven’t looked back. You want tender, chewy, delicious rice crispy treats, you definitely have to add the butter of yesteryear back in. Yours does that! I’m sure these are a five star treat.
The messed up thing is that if you break down the nutrition on the pre-packaged, foil wrapped treats? They have a lot more fat than rice crisp treats do if you make them by the box-printed recipe. It’s almost like they don’t want you to be able to be able to make them well, so you’re encouraged to buy their overpriced, pre-packaged ones. Grr.
I used to make these when I was still a child. When I was reading this recipe today I thought that 3 tbsp of butter was very little, and it’s true that the old amount was a whole stick. Very yummy, and although I’ve never had a sweet tooth, these were my favorites way back then.
How many days in advance can these be made for a party?
I would do the day before so they’re fresh. Enjoy!
Turned out perfect! You need a pretty big cooking pot, mine was full, but it worked out 🙂 Great recipe!
Would this recipe work if I substitute the butter for vegan marg and use vegan freedom mallows instead of normal marshmallows?
Hi Rebecca, I’ve never used either, but I think they should work!
A great sub for butter is coconut oil
I Have Made This Recipe Many Times. My Family and Friends Love These Rice Krispie Treats. Thank You So Much For The Recipe.
These are truly and honestly the best rice krispie my family have ever had. Thank you so much!
These rice krispie treats are AMAZING!! I have made them for special meals at school and people were asking, “Who made those?” requesting the recipe. I have made them for my kids when they have friends over and some of the kids ate three. I have made them for our family and our kids take them to share at school and one child cried when he ate his. It makes so much that if I make a tray to take to an event, I use a 9×13 disposable tray for the event and an 8×8 tray to keep at home so the family can eat them. And, whatever doesn’t get scraped out of the prep bowl, I eat. I have no idea how somebody could rate them less than 5 stars. They are SO good.
I made these rice krispie treats for my son and daughter in law’s baby shower. The theme was Mickey Mouse so I used a Mickey cookie cutter. I wrapped up the scraps for us to eat later. Well everyone was SO in LOVE with them that we ran out. I made 48! When they saw my stash of scraps they didn’t care that they were just leftovers of cut outs. These are by far the absolute best rice krispie treats ever and I have been making them wrong for many years I guess! Followed the recipes exactly and wouldn’t change a thing. Cannot wait to try your other recipes!!
Okay so these are the absolute best EVER rice krispy treats!! Love love love them so much. I just went and bought fruity pebbles and will be making some more treats with them here shortly, I can’t wait to see how they turn out!
Hi Michelle,
I absolutely LOVE these rice krispies and have made them several times, but always have the same problem: they are sooooo gooey, I can’t get them out of the pan or off the foil in a neat way! They come out as globs or have to be eaten with a spoon (not a problem here :)). Any suggestions? Thank you!
Get it all into the foil lined pan, then spray another flat wooden spoon with cooking spray and flatten it down with that one. It works great!
I’ve been making these for the past 3 years with my own twist. Not sure if I’m messing up but I always have to put in more Rice Krispies to avoid it becoming too chewy.
I put a dash of extra fine sea salt, and top it with peppermint-white chocolate ganache and sprinkles. So many compliments! Thanks for the recipe
INCREDIBLE. FIRST TIME MAKING RICE CRISPIES EVER AND THEY ARE AMAZING. THIS WILL BE MY FOREVER RECIPE. DEFINITELY WORTH IT.
Thank you for including the vanilla and salt. It very rare that I make these, but the first batch I made from the back of a bag of marshmallows was missing the vanilla and salt. Definitely gives it more flavor like when I was a kid.
I made these today with my Rice Krispie treat loving son. He made them in his Facs class and wanted to make them at home. They’re delicious!
I have been hunting for a recipe like this for AGES, and this one is perfect! So chewy and pillowy from the extra marshmallows. We made these the first week we brought our new baby home for a fun sugar rush, and they hit the spot for exhausted parents and visitors so perfectly. Thank you for a great recipe!
Lindsay @ funnyloveblog.com
I can’t remember when younfirst posted these, but they have been my go-to recipe for rice krispy treats ever since!!!! I loooove them and so does everyone else whenever I bring them somewhere! No more cutting up the roof of tour mouth on dry rice krispy treats!!!! These things are AMAZING!!!! Also, could you tell memwhat brand/size that pan is where you show the rice krispy mix packed into the foil-lined pan? Thanks!!!!
Hi Lisa, This is the pan: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/usa-pan-traditional-finish-9-inch-by-13-inch-cake-pan/
Leave it to BEB to always have a recipe that I am looking for. My friend chose Rice Krispies for her baby sprinkle and I couldn’t bring just regular Rice Krispies. So glad I came across your recipe, because I will never have an non BEB Rice Krispie ever again. The salt and vanilla really do level out the sweetness of the marshmallow. We did 2 batches… one with Oreos and the other with sprinkles. Yum!!
Girl, you saved me. I love it when great cooks like you post recipes in grams. I had 180 grams of Rice Krispies to get rid of and your recipe did it for me as I was able to convert the other ingredients by %. I also had the amount of marshmallows needed to meet your ratio. I used salted butter and lined my pan with non-stick foil. Thank you for your recipe. BTW, I was able to taste them while cleaning up my mess and they are DIVINE !!
Take care and keep on enjoying baking.
Nonna
Michelle,
Have you ever used Cocoa Puffs for this recipe?? I love this recipe you just shared but curious how Cocoa Puffs would do.
Hi Brenda, I never have, I need to!
We made these last night for a Halloween party (used red food coloring) and OH MY GOD. These are easily the BEST Rice Krispie treats I’ve ever had. I could not stop eating them. I’m not usually a huge fan of non-melted marshmallows, but they are so delicious in these. The treats are buttery and sweet and perfect, and I’m eating one right now!
Our ratios were probably a little off, since we got a regular box of cereal (which was 340 g) and two big bags of mini marshmallows (each were like 460g or so) and used all of those, but I don’t think it was a big enough difference to alter the ratios by much. Soooo easy and delicious!
YOUR Cinnamon Toast Crunch bars have become a family favorite! Love to watch people’s faces when they try them for the first time. Would love to know how this technique would transfer to the CTC treats.
These Rice Krispie treats are to die for! They are my ABSOLUTE go-to recipe! While Michelle says you can omit the extra marshmallows that you mix in at the end, I think they are exactly what makes them unique and more like appealing!
I have found the most critical thing to be controlling the temperature of the butter and marshmellow mix. I also think it works better if you add the mix to 2/3 of the rice krispies then 1/3 of rice krispies after adding mix. Add before stirring at all. I also think they taste fine, if different, when refrigerated. Instead of ooey-gooey, I get crunchy crispness.
And to me, they taste better w/o extras, but I’ve gotten a lot of requests for my M&Ms or chocolate chip mixes.
I’m looking forward to trying your mix to see if it’s better!
Perfectly soft and gooey rice krispie treats!
These look like heaven, Michelle! And I totally remember rice krispies treats cereal … I think they still make it actually.
Wow, what poor timing. I just made rice krispy treats x 2 for birthday presents because they ship so well. I used a similar recipe but not quite the same. As you said, its all in the ratio. I am so very sad I didn’t get to use this recipe, but alas… I will just have to make more for me!
That’s very similar to how I make mine with one exception … I brown the butter first. It gives it a slightly nutty and rich flavor that makes them so comforting.
Rice Krispie Treats are the only sweet that my niece’s hubs will eat, so I made this recipe for his birthday. He LOVED them & wasn’t too disappointed when his 18 mo didn’t want to share them. Thanks for a great recipe.
This recipe sounds just like how I prefer them – can’t wait to try it.
When I was a kid, my folks were pretty broke and we couldn’t afford brand name Rice Krispies so my mom made them with generic “puffed rice” cereal. It had a thicker, texture, more puffy and less crackly than brand name Rice Krispies. I loved it and I miss it. It’s actually hard to find that generic puffed rice now!
I love this recipe, it’s the only one I use these days.
These are my family’s absolute favorite rice krispie recipe! Hands down, the BEST! They don’t last long in our house. :-)
I will be 70 on my next birthday and I’ve loved Rice Krispies Treats since I was a little girl. I’ve been known to stop at Noodles & Co just for the Rice Krispies Treats — which aren’t as good as homemade, but are 100 times better than the pre-made, pre-packaged version at the grocery.
Martha Stewart has a recipe for Confetti Squares that uses Rice Krispies, Lucky Charms and Froot Loops. I’ve never made that recipe, but I have used part Rice Krispies and part Froot Loops and those are good.
I recently found a recipe for Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats and I think you’ll like them. https://www.dessertfortwo.com/chocolate-rice-krispy-treats/ I melted the butter and marshmallows over low heat as in the original recipe and used 6 cups of cereal instead of the 5 called for in the recipe. Topped them with Maldon salt. Delicious!
The original recipe will always be my favorite, but the chocolate version is running a (very) close second.
I made this recipe with two changes: I cut it in half and I omitted the extra marshmallows at the end. While I agree with the person who wrote that there’s no more cutting up the roof of your mouth with dry rice krispies treats, that’s the only positive thing I can say. They were just too “marshmallow-y.” This is the first time ever I’ve made rice krispies treats and didn’t want to eat them.
These are terrific! My entire family loved them. They definitely are bakery style and quality. Will make them again.
So I know this probably defeats the point of the awesome “bakery style” but is there a way to make this recipe without the chunks of unmelted marshmelllow? I’m not a huge fan of plain marshmellows but I really like Rice Krispie treats. I didn’t know how the unmelted marshmellows affect the ratios of the recipe.
Hi Alex, Yes you can omit them altogether without needing to alter the rest of the recipe. Enjoy!
These are delicious. The other day I made a batch from a popular online recipe that called for a lot more butter and they were a little disappointing. These ones had the gooeyness I was hoping for! The extra unmelted marshmallows really add the yum factor. Thank you.
Can you use marshmallow fluff instead?
I’ve actually never tried making rice krispie treats with marshmallow fluff; you would obviously be missing the butter in the sauce if you did so, and I’m not sure how well it would hold everything together.
Are there ratios for making a smaller batch? Is it okay to just cut everything in half?
Yes you could definitely just cut everything in half. Enjoy!
These are AMAZING, I have made them for several parties since I discovered your recipe a couple of months ago. They are just PERFECT!
Do you think this recipe would work with cornflakes instead? I make the Christmas wreaths with those (similar), but I have a request to turn them into bars for a gathering this weekend :)
Thanks!
Hi Jen, I’ve never tried cornflakes, but I think it should work just fine!
Can you leave out the salt?
Hi Elena, Yes you can, but I would recommend using salted butter then. Enjoy!
Kellogg’s box is 255 grams- how many fewer cups of marshmallows? Thanks so much!
Second time this month I have made this. Today I added a package of Chocolate chips.
Hi,
You’re recipe sounds great! Just one question, the recipe calls for only 20 ounces of marshmallows so why in the note at the bottom of the page it says the recipe calls for 3 10 ounce bags? What is the extra 10 ounces of marshmallow for?
Thanks!
Hi Maggie, It actually calls for 20 CUPS of marshmallows, which is about 30 ounces.
I just made these and they are amazing. Hands down best rice crispy squares I’ve ever had. Thanks a bunch ! Ill definitely be making more of these.
Made these by request of my 8y/o boy…all three of my kiddos 11, 8, and 6 LOVE them. I liked em too lol. I made the recipe as is, but instead of twelve ginormous treats we got thirty pretty regular size ones…thick chewy and gooey just like the video. My only complaint is that holy cow was it a task trying to get all that mix into the pot and then the pan. Perhaps it won’t be such a chore next time as I’ll know what to expect, but the taste was definitely worth it. These are definitely bakery worthy. Thanks for sharing :)
I just made this recipe and it is SUPER!! I took another person ‘s suggestion and browned the butter. I also used Cocoa Krispies because my husband loves chocolate. He could not eat them fast enough!!! Thanks for this recipe, it is great!!
Made these for my kiddo’s Valentine’s Day Party, and they were FANTASTIC!!!! Soft and chewy and tasted awesome! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Wendy, You’re welcome! So glad you enjoyed them, and thanks for the review!
Can these treats be used to sculp in making decor for cakes?
Hi Tarika, I’ve never tried to do that, so I couldn’t say for sure! If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Absolutely amazing!!
These were the most delicious Rice Krispie treats we have ever had! My husband is still talking about them and he’s not even a huge sweets guy. Freezing individual squares kept them fresh! Thanks for the amazing recipe!
All I have to say is *drool.* I could not imagine a recipe that is any better. These are to die for. Like I said, *drool.*
I’m overdue in commenting on the deliciousness of these rice krispy treats. For the past few years I’ve made road treats for friends who set out on an annual summer road trip. I always make your no-bake cookies and rice krispy treats. This year I decided to make this recipe instead of the recipe on the cereal box. Oh. My. Word. These are amazing. My friend texted me from the road asking what I did differently to the treats to make them so delicious, and her sister wanted to know too. I sent her the link, of course. The ratio of marshmallow to cereal is just perfect.
Wow! So easy to make and addicting! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I always make terribly hard Rice Krispie Squares. These turned out fantastic, and I ate so many. I’m all out, have to make more soon, I’m having withdrawals.
Forgot my 5 star rating!!!! Thanks again!
Just made these again …for about the upteenth time – so very, very good! This time, I remembered a little jar of salted caramel in my cupboard from Trader Joe’s. I heated it just a bit for easier pouring and drizzled it sparingly over top before cutting. Sparingly, because I didn’t want to overdo the sweetness…..but just add that little sweet-salty tease that brings everyone back for more. And it did. Thanks again for this recipe. …A great variation on an old one that is tried & true.
Is super yummy love it
Would these work using a dairy free alternative for the butter? Eg margarine? Any tips :)
Hi Nina, Yes I think that would work just fine (although the flavor will be a bit different than butter, obviously).
Love these and so do everyone who eats them. The salt and vanilla give the treats a new twist that everyone loves compared with recipes I have used in the past.
Best Crispy Treats ever! To make them even more fun, I like to add a drizzle of melted white chocolate and top with some sprinkles!
I made this recipe, but added several tablespoons of cocoa while melting butter. Delicious.
How much cocoa did you add and no bitterness? I guess the sugar from all the marshmallows make up for adding any. I have been wanting some chocolate krispies and can make some soon! :)
I made these!! They are so delicious and pretty, with the marshmallows speckled throughout. Thank you for such a perfected recipe for a favorite treat!
I made this recipe for the first time today, and they really are the best! I’ve always followed the recipe on the back of the box……had no idea what I was missing. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I only have one box of cereal and one bag of large Marshmallows. Does anyone know what my measurements for the ingredients would be? I don’t want to make a 9×13
What if I do not have vanilla extract. Will it taste ok without it??
It should be fine; vanilla helps to amp up the flavor is sweets and baked goods, but omitting it would not ruin these.
These looks sooo good, and with all the tips from others – brown the butter, add a little liquor (for the adults), and warming the pan before spreading the treats – this could be the best treat yet!!
Just made this and I am having the hardest time NOT eating them all. I made these ;for the family, which they LOVE and I dont think they will last much longer. This is the hands down best recipe for rice krispy treats that I have ever tried. Best rice krispy treats I have ever had!! Thank you!!
So awesome to hear this, they’re my favorite too! Thanks for the review! :)
Oooh. I’m going to have to try these. I’ve always just used the recipe on the box.
My one secret ingredient (that I discovered by accident) is, when melting the butter I let it go a little longer and brown it. It gives the squares a slight caramel flavor.
This recipe is AMAZINGLY GOOD!! everyone loved it!!
First of all these look really good! Unfortunately, at this point in my life, I have no more children to enjoy these goodies, but I’ve adapted. Now I make adult krispy treats for my adult “kids.” As I melt the marshmallows with the butter, I add Grand Marnier (or other liquer) to taste. It doesn’t take much to make very tasty treats. Everyone loves them and at first bite, no one can figure out why they taste sooo good! Next time I make these, I’ll reserve a portion of the mini’s to add at the end and I’ll look like a Pro! Thanks for a great recipe!
Now, I have a little tip. I warm the 9″ x 13″ dish in the oven while making the treats. Spreading the mixture in a warm dish is so much easier than trying to spread it in a cold one.
I have made this recipe time and time again with different variations and they always get rave reviews. The most recent I tried was I made a big pan, melted two cups of PB and poured it over the top before cutting. The PB sets up fine after it cools, and adds a lovely saltiness to the treats! I have also frosted with home made butter cream, cookie butter, mixed in oreos, chocolate chips, you name it lol.
Would you recommend this ratio of marshmallows to Lucky Charms cereal as well? I’m getting my Irish on tomorrow for St Patty’s day!
Hi Mel, I think it should work, although I’ve never tried it. YUM! Enjoy!
Just made these. They are amazing! So much marshmallow.
I made these as favors for my son’s party and they are PERFECTION!!!! I have always made the Pioneer Woman’s recipe and now this will be the only recipe I use. They stayed soft and gooey and were amazing!!!! Thank you.
what do you mean by just melted… is there suppose to be chucks in the melted marshmawllows?
Hi Daisy, No, there should not be chunks. “Just melted” – you want everything to be melted but you don’t want to cook it any further beyond that point. Hope that helps!
This recipe is the best! I will never use the old recipe again, my husband absolutetely loves them
Oh. My. God. So I made these yesterday and already I’m sure this is my go to rice krispies treat recipe from here on. It always feels really good when I make something and people in my house are raving about how good it is. They taste amazing. It’s been a long time since I made rice krispies treats and it was pretty messy, but not that hard to make. The consensus by me and everyone is “best rice krispies treats ever; you should open up business” lol
20 cups of marshamallows?! Is this correct , haha.
How many bags does that take?
Hi Michael, Yes, it’s correct! And I included a note in the recipe above:
Note: You will need three (10-ounce) bags of miniature marshmallows for this recipe.
I made these and added chopped up double stuffed oreos yummy! I am also pregnant and due in November so maybe it is a pregnancy thing ;)
These were SO good! The non melted marshmallows really make these something special!
Hello Michelle. First I want to say I love your site. I have never made a recipe from you I didn’t like. So I made these last week. I didn’t have all the mini marshmallows I needed so I spent so much time cutting the big ones into mini ones. And because it took so long I forgot the vanilla. The marshmallows worked good though. And they were sooo good. So today, I bought the minis. Laid everything out. Then my 6 year old wanted to watch. And because I was trying to make sure she didn’t get burned: I forgot the vanilla AGAIN. These are so good without the vanilla. I can only imagine how they taste with it.
These were great! Thank you! My brother is picky about his krispie treats, and these passed his rigid standards. I only had one bag of small marshmallows, so I combined them with a bag of large and weighed them, and it worked out very well.
Hi,
Is it possible to substitute large marshmallows in this recipe?
I only have the large size marshmallows on hand. If so what would be the amount needed?
Thank you!
Hi Tee, Sure, you can use the larger marshmallows, just use the same weight measurement that is listed.
Ooo, I can’t wait to try these. I’ve usually used a 5:8 weight ratio (cereal:marshmallow). This looks better :D An old boss of mine introduced me to adding vanilla…I now do that, as well as a smidge of almond extract. Soooo good. Not a fan of unmelted marshmallows, myself, but in my book the gooier (sp? I’ve never written that word out) the better!
Love these!! I’ve made them twice now and can’t get enough of them! Thanks for the recipe.
That stretch is what dreams are made of…3 bags must be the magic trick.
You aren’t kidding- these really are the best! Trader Joe’s just launched their first ever marshmallows (which happen to be vegan) and they were on display right by the entrance when I went in yesterday. I read this post earlier in the week and knew I had to buy a bag immediately and try this recipe. SO good. Perfect butter flavor… just enough marshmallow to stick together without being too gooey. Thank you!
These are so good! A few of my family members love to have these on more than special occasions! These rice krispy treats don’t last long in our house!
I love rice krispie treats and these were amazing! When I made these, my whole family gobbled them up. I kept catching my “non-sweet-eater” husband cutting off another piece. I’m pretty sure the batch didn’t last more than a day or two. Thanks for yet another fabulous recipe.
Now that looks amazing! This is exactly what I have been looking for in a rice crispy recipe. Do you mind if, I share this recipe on my blog and link back to you for credit?
http://www.sothisismotherhood.com/
I’m not usually the hugest fan of rice krispies treats but this recipe is about to change my mind. They look AMAZING! I love the extra non-melted marshmallows. Pinning!
This recipe looks amazing! Rice Krispies are my go-to treat! I especially love it when they have bits of extra unmelted marshmallow in them. You should try browning the butter–it adds a whole other depth of flavor that is out of this world!
These sound awesome. Can’t wait to try the recipe. Many years ago I decided to make these with cocoa krispies and a bit of peanut butter. They were really good. I don’t know if I could make them like I used to but your recipe has also inspired me to try. I LOVE marshmallow??
Made a half batch (by weight on my digital scale) of these in a 9×13 (because 3 bags of marshmallows aren’t standard pantry fare at my house but I HAD to have them) and the proportion was perfect! I’ve always melted my marshmallows in the microwave but did it on the stovetop and it was still easy! If I were making them for others and not just my immediate family for after-school I would have used a 9×9 or 8×8.
I know a few kiddos and adults ;-) who would love these treats. I mean, whats better than Rice Krispies Treats?!!?
YUM! I love rice krispie treats that are loaded with marshmallows. I know what you mean about the ones at Noodles. Those are almost impossible for me to pass up. These look amazing! I know my daughters (and I) would devour them! :)
Michelle, homemade Krispies treats are SO much better than those at Noodles! :) Yours look ooey, gooey amazing! Mouth currently watering!
was just about to make riche krispie treats-but am now going to make THESE.
Thank you!
I must save this recipe to make for my boys. They will love them! For some reason I can’t “pin” it from your blog post. Maybe it’s just my computer, but I haven’t had trouble pinning from other blogs. Is there some reason you know of that pinning doesn’t work from your blog?
Jenn, Hmm I’m able to pin without an issue. What type of browser are you using? Are you using the Pin button?
I’m using the pin button in Safari. Not sure what the problem is, but when I click my pin button in your blog nothing happens.
Hi Jenn, So strange. I’m also using Safari and just used the Pin button to double check, and I was able to pin this recipe without an issue at all.
Oh wait, Safari on desktop or mobile/tablet?
Safari on my laptop. Must be a problem on my end. Thanks for checking on it!
Hey! I fixed it! Sorry to have you spend time checking into a problem that was on my end. Had to reinstall the “Pin” button and now it works. Got this recipe saved! =)
Not a problem at all, glad you got it to work! :)
These look wonderful! I love love love rice krispey treats, and I love the idea of making them “bakery style”. My favorite way to make rice krispey treats is to mix in a dollop of peanut butter into the melted marshmallows – you should try it! ;)
I sure am going to try it! Yum! I’ve been craving peanut butter like crazy lately.
You should try penutbutter no bake cookies. They taste so good.
These look great! My mother always likes to make these, especially around holidays. I will have to give your recipe a try! :-)
Hi Michelle!
These look delicious! I’m wondering if you can help me out, I am in the process of making treat bags for my batman themed winery tour bus birthday party (yes, that is a thing here in Australia!) I am wondering if it is possible to make these in individual mini cupcake cases? If not, are there any suggestions that you may have for quick and easy individual treats that I can add a bucketload of popping candy to? (for the Pow! Bang! Pop! That all batman birthdays need!) Thanks for your help, I really love your blog!
Hi Sally, Absolutely, you could just pack it into cupcake tins instead of a large pan!