These Caramel Rice Crispy Treats turn a classic snack into a fun one with a sweet twist. They're still the ooey gooey, sticky sweet treats you like, but now with a sweetened caramel flavor.
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Everyone knows the flavor of a good ol' Rice Krispie Treat, these Caramel treats have a slightly sweeter marshmallow flavor that can't be beat.
Rice Crispy Treats have been around for years and there have been a ton of variations. Not only can you change the flavor of them, but, you can make decorated ones for different occasions and holidays. Making the Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats is a no brainer for the fall or Halloween time of the year. They bring a little spook to the dessert table and you know everybody loves a classic treat.
Why This Easy Dessert Works
I love how easy and simple they are to make, You only need 6 ingredients for these treats. These Caramel Rice Krispie Bars are quick, perfect for last minute entertaining, and are ready in under 30 minutes!They're fun and something different to sell at your local bake sales- always a big hit.
Ingredients Needed
- Butter: unsalted butter. If using salted, omit the salt the recipe calls for.
- Salt
- Caramel candies: you want soft caramels, like the rectangular Kraft caramel bits or Werther's, not hard candies.
- Marshmallows: I use mini size, but you can also use large.
- Sweetened Condensed milk: Any brand is fine
- Rice Krispie cereal: You can use an off brand, if needed. Any puffed rice cereal should work.
How To Make Caramel Rice Crispy Treats
- Step 1: In a large pot, start to melt the butter.
- Step 2: Add unwrapped caramels to the pot and stir constantly until melted.
- Step 3: Next, add mini marshmallows and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly until all is melted and mixed together.
- Step 4: Toss rice crispy cereal in the caramel marshmallow mixture and mix together to coat.
- Step 5: Transfer mixture to a cooking spray coated, or parchment paper lined baking dish and flatten mixture out.
- Step 6: Let the treats cool to set before cutting.
Recipe Tips
- I find it easiest to unwrap all my caramels before starting this recipe, so they're ready to drop in the melted butter all at one time.
- Store leftover treats in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature. Keep them for up to 2-3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container. I'd suggest cutting them into individual treats and then wrapping them individually with plastic wrap before storing them in the freezer.
- You need to move rather quickly after the treats are mixed as the mixture starts to firm up.
Recipe Faq's
Yes, you can. I find it easiest to make these a day or so in advance. You can store them in an airtight container
or wrap them individually until you're ready to serve them. I find that if I'm making a lot of them, I prefer to wrap them so they don't end up all stuck together in a big pile since they're already a sticky type of treat.
Before these gooey caramel treats set, you could add some mini chocolate chips or chopped candies to the top of the cereal caramel mixture for a great alternative to the plain treats. Love caramel and chocolate? Try drizzling some melted chocolate on top before they set. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate would be tasty.
Cover your dish with plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Placing them in the refrigerator can make them too hard.
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Caramel Rice Crispy Treats
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 ounce package Werther’s soft caramels *see notes
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 11 cups rice Krispie cereal
Instructions
- Unwrap each caramel and set aside, spray a 9x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat a large pot on medium low heat and the butter and let it start to melt, then add in the caramels and let melt on low stirring constantly until the caramels are melted.
- Add in the marshmallows and sweetened condensed milk and keep stirring until melted.
- Add in the rice Krispies and mix until all is coated.
- Spread the mixture into the baking dish and flatten out. It helps to spray the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to spread out the sticky mixture.
- Allow to cool and set up for at least 15 minutes before cutting.
Yay!
These treats were a big hit with my family and friends. thank you 🙂
My pleasure 🙂
Woohoo 🙂
Yay so happy you enjoyed them!
I made this for my son's birthday party and everyone loved it!! Thankyou for the recipe.
WOW these were good. A good twist on normal rice krispies. We will make again.
I made these and took them to my neighbor's kid's birthday party. They were a huge hit! Great recipe!
These are out of this world! They're so gooey and delicious —I couldn't stop eating them! And the perfect way to use up those Werther’s soft caramels I always seem to have too many 🙂