Rice Krispie Caramel Squares Recipe: A Salty-Sweet Treat
Here is a sweet treat like a childhood favorite that is all grown up. This Rice Krispie caramel squares recipe takes that classic crispy, gooey base you know and love, and adds salted caramel to add the perfect little punch of salty-sweet in every bite. These treats are the kind of snack that’s easy to make but surprisingly impressive. Here’s a look at how to make these tasty treats.
About Rice Krispie Caramel Squares Recipe
What I love about this recipe is that it has the perfect mix of salty and sweet. The caramel is the magic that gives these rice cereal treats extra flavor. It’s sweet enough to satisfy your sugar craving, but with that salty edge that keeps you wanting more.
This Rice Krispie caramel squares recipe uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. That makes it easy to pull together when you need a snack. It comes together quickly, so you don’t have to wait long when your cravings hit.
Another thing I love about these treats is that they are perfect for any occasion. Whether you need a snack to pack for lunch or to bring to a party, these caramel bars are always a hit.
Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
Ingredients needed for this Rice Krispie caramel squares recipe:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 (11 oz) bag caramel melts
- Flaky sea salt
This recipe only has a few ingredients, so there’s little room for substitutions. I’d say the biggest area would be swapping out the rice crispy cereal for another variety. This would add extra flavor and perhaps texture, but I’m a traditionalist and think rice cereal is ideal.
You can also brown the butter to add a nutty flavor. Melt the butter until it turns golden brown and becomes fragrant. And if you don’t want to add the salt, you can skip it, but it really enhances the caramel flavor.
I am a fan of adding additional toppings and flavors. There are two ingredients that I think make great additions to this Rice Krispie caramel squares recipe.
Chocolate: I am a firm believer that chocolate makes everything better. Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top of the bars, or you can also add some as you mix in the cereal.
Nuts: Add some toasted pecans to the caramel Rice Krispies treats, and they become like turtle candy. If you add chocolate, too, the bars would have the chocolate, caramel, and nuts of a classic turtle.
Step by Step With Photos
I like to start by prepping things so that I can move quickly once the butter and caramels are melted. Line a 9″x13″ baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Measure 5 1/2 cups of rice crispy cereal into a bowl and set aside.
Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
Unwrap the caramels and add 2/3 of them to the melted butter, along with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Stir the caramels as they heat and melt to combine with the butter.
Add a 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows to the melted caramel and butter mixture. Save a handful of the mini marshmallows to use for topping the bars.
Stir the marshmallows until smooth.
Remove the pan from the heat and add 5 1/2 cups rice crispy cereal.
Quickly stir the mixture until the rice cereal is evenly distributed.
Transfer the Rice Krispie mixture to the prepared baking pan. Gently press down to form an even layer.
Let the treats cool to room temperature and remove them from the pan.
Place the remaining mini marshmallows on top and melt the remaining caramels. Drizzle the caramel over the bars, and sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top.
Once the caramel drizzle has set, cut the Rice Krispie treats into bars.
Freezing and Storing
Store the Rice Krispie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep that crispy-chewy magic intact. They will last longer than that, but I think after 3 days they tend to dry out a bit. Avoid the fridge unless your kitchen is super warm. The cold temp can make them tough.
You can also freeze the bars. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before diving in.
These salted caramel Rice Krispie treats are a sweet way to shake up a classic. The blend of crunchy cereal, gooey marshmallow, and that salty caramel is the kind of combo you might not have known you were missing. Next time you want a quick but impressive treat, these will have your snack game covered without needing fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen. So go ahead, try them out, and enjoy every delicious, delightful bite.
One of my favorite rice cereal treats is Scotcheroos. Peanut butter Rice Krispies topped with chocolate. This is a family favorite! And another fun one to try is these Rice Krispies with Sprinkles.
If you try this Rice Krispie Caramel Squares Recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting and happy baking!
Salted Caramel Rice Treats
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking pan
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
- 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 11 ounce bag caramel melts
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Line a 9"x13” baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- Place 5 1/2 cups of rice crispy cereal in a bowl and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
- Add ⅔ of the caramel melts and a pinch of flaky salt. Stir continuously until fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the mini marshmallows and continue stirring until completely melted. Reserve a handful of marshmallows for garnish.
- Remove from heat and quickly fold in the Rice Krispies until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Let it cool for 1–2 minutes, then gently press the mixture into an even layer.
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Top with a few extra mini marshmallows. Melt the remaining caramel and drizzle over the bars. Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Let the caramel set, then cut into bars.
Notes
- Spraying your hands or a silicone spatula helps prevent sticking when pressing the mixture down.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Follow me on Pinterest for more fun and easy cookie recipes for any occasion. And if you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how it went.
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