Brown Butter Vanilla Rice Krispie Treats
The ultimate marshmallow cereal bars? I think so! These Rice Krispie Treats are thick and chewy, with the brown butter adding nutty, caramelized flavor and an extra dose of vanilla. Top with a touch of flaky sea salt for a delicious finish.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 3/4 of a stick
- 12 ounces marshmallows about 55 large marshmallows; use fresh marshmallows for best results
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean seeds scraped; slice the bean open vertically then use the back of the knife to scrape up the pod from bottom to top, which removes the vanilla from inside.
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt for finishing [optional]
Instructions
Prep pan
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper. Spray lightly with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Brown butter
- Place the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 4-5 minutes. The butter will get foamy, then once the foam subsides, there should be golden brown particles and a nutty aroma. Reduce the heat to low as soon as the brown particles form because it can burn fast!
Melt marshmallows & add flavorings
- Reduce the heat to low if you haven't already. Immediately add the marshmallows and cook, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are completely smooth. This should only take a couple of minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the kosher salt (not the flaky sea salt, that's for topping), vanilla bean seeds, and vanilla extract.
Add Rice Krispies
- Add the Rice Krispies and stir gently with a spatula just until evenly coated.
Add to pan
- Add Rice Krispie mixture to the pan and, working quickly, press evenly into the pan, making sure not to press too hard. You might want to spray your hands with a little non-stick spray to prevent the Rice Krispie marshmallow mix from sticking to your hands.
- This step is optional, but I love sprinkling a little flaky sea salt over the top at this point.
Cool & let firm up
- Keep the Rice Krispie treats at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour, until hardened.
- Cut into squares and enjoy.
Storage instructions
- Rice Krispie treats will last around 5 days in an airtight container at room temp.
Notes
Note: Traditional marshmallows are not strictly vegetarian! They have gelatin in them, which is an animal product. I personally don't mind eating gelatin in some products, so I'm fine with them. But if this is a concern of yours, I suggest grabbing vegan marshmallows such as Dandies, which are delicious!
Dairy-Free Option:
Swap in vegan butter.Vegan Option:
Swap in vegan butter AND vegan marshmallows.Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1square, Calories: 148kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 237mg, Potassium: 17mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 830IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 3mg