Description
These Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats elevate the classic marshmallow and crispy rice cereal snack by incorporating rich, nutty brown butter for a deep, toasted flavor. Soft and chewy with a slightly caramelized aroma, they make a perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 9 cups (225 grams) crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or grease it lightly with a stick of butter to prevent sticking.
- Make Brown Butter and Melt Marshmallows: Melt the butter in a large stainless steel pan over medium-low heat. Keep swirling the pan occasionally as the butter foams and makes crackling sounds. Once the crackling stops, continue swirling until the butter turns amber in color and develops a nutty aroma with brown bits forming on the bottom, about 2-3 minutes after popping stops. Then add the mini marshmallows, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Reduce the heat to low and stir constantly until the marshmallows have melted completely, then remove from heat.
- Combine with Cereal: Add the crispy rice cereal to the brown butter-marshmallow mixture and stir gently with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until the cereal is evenly coated with the melted mixture.
- Press Into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and press it gently into an even layer using a spatula, wooden spoon, or lightly dampened fingers. Be firm enough to bind the treats but avoid compressing them too tightly to maintain chewiness.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature for about 1 hour until set. Once cooled, cut into 12 squares. Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness in the treat.
- Be careful not to burn the brown butter; the nuts bits should be a golden amber color.
- Press treats gently into the pan to keep them chewy instead of dense.
- Store treats in an airtight container for freshness, up to 2 days at room temperature.
- You can use regular-sized marshmallows, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly.
