Rice Krispie Treats with vanilla bean and brown butter have become the only way we will make rice Krispies. There is pretty much nothing that vanilla bean and brown butter don’t make better and these rice krispies are no exception. They start by browning the butter then adding marshmallows until they are melted. We then add salt and vanilla and mix in the rice krispies. They are truly the best rice krispies we have ever had.
Rice Krispies Treats are one of those desserts that will forever remind us of growing up. Whenever we saw the bright, blue box on the kitchen counter, we climbed up on the kitchen island and watched as our mom pulled out her biggest pot to melt the butter and marshmallows. As they melted, she greased the rectangular, glass pyrex with softened butter and “measured” out the Rice Krispies by pouring them into a bowl.
Once it was melted, mom poured in a little bit of vanilla (because she is the one who taught us that pure, good vanilla extract makes everything better) and then added the Krispies. She stirred it all together in the giant pot and the mountain of Rice Krispies Treats would form. As she poured the Rice Krispies into the pyrex, we waited in anticipation for the moment we could nibble the pieces left behind. Our mom was, and still is, the master of Rice Krispies Treats. Her Rice Krispies are so chewy but still crispy and will leave your fingers sticky with marshmallows—the sign of the perfect Rice Krispies Treat—100% of the time.
Rice Krispies Treats come in many forms. There are the ones made with different cereals or ones that are pre-packaged but these aren’t your average Rice Krispies Treat. We take most of our tips from mom for this recipe with a couple optional additions that we think make these truly the best. We put LOTS of marshmallows and a few of our own twists (vanilla, browned butter, and sea salt) that take this classic childhood treat to a new level.
To make the Rice Krispies Treats start by getting a large non-stick pot. You will thank us later for warning you to get a non-stick pan out. These are ridiculously sticky with all the melted marshmallows and it will save you a headache. On medium heat, melt the butter in the pan until golden bits start to form creating browned butter. When the golden bits begin to form, immediately fold in the marshmallows and melt down. When the marshmallows are melting, add in the salt and vanilla. Once it is a smooth mixture, turn off the heat and add in the Rice Krispies. When the cereal is fully incorporated, pour the mixture into a 9×13 pan coated with butter. Using a piece of wax paper (also sprayed with baking grease) press the cereal down into the pan. Allow them to cool and cut into pieces.
How to make the best rice krispies treats:
- Marshmallows: Double them. If you are used to following the recipe on the back of the cereal box, we use close to double the marshmallows because well…that’s what our mom did and that’s just how to make them the best.
- Vanilla: Add a little bit to your melted marshmallows because what doesn’t vanilla make better?
- Sea Salt*: We like to top each piece with a sprinkle of maldon salt. It balances out the sweetness and pairs perfectly with the browned butter
- Butter*: Brown it. It gives this nutty, complex flavor that balances the sweetness of these so well.
- Grease with butter: Spray everything with non-stick spray or coat with butter. This will make your life so much easier. To press down the Rice Krispies into the pan we even use wax paper sprayed with non-stick spray or with butter so our hands don’t stick to the cereal Treats.
*Want a more classic Krispies? Both these steps are optional.
Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons butter reserve extra softened butter to line the pan
- 24 ounces mini marshmallows we like jet puffed
- 10 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1.5 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- flaky salt for topping
Instructions
- Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan with softened butter.
- In a large non-stick saucepan, melt butter over medium heat stirring constantly until slightly golden and fragrant. There should be little brown flecks throughout the butter
- Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat
- Add vanilla bean and stir completely
- Add cereal. Stir until well coated
- Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into a 9 x 13 inch pan greased with butter. Sprinkle with Maldon salt if using
- Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares using a knife sprayed with cooking spray or coated with softened butter.
- Eat right away or wrap each square tightly with cling wrap.
