Crispy Treat Bar (Print)
Chewy and crunchy bars combining crispy rice cereal and melted marshmallows for easy, tasty snacks.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 6 cups crispy rice cereal
02 - 4 cups mini marshmallows
03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Optional Add-ins
04 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make:
01 - Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter.
03 - Add mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until smooth and fully melted.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat, then stir in vanilla extract and salt if using.
05 - Add the crispy rice cereal and fold gently to coat all pieces evenly.
06 - Quickly transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press evenly using a buttered spatula or wax paper.
07 - If desired, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and press gently to adhere.
08 - Allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature, approximately 30 minutes.
09 - Cut into 16 bars and serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No oven required, just a saucepan and ten minutes of your time.
- It's foolproof enough for kids to help, but impressive enough for adult gatherings.
- The texture stays crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle even days later.
02 -
- Melting marshmallows over low heat with butter prevents them from seizing or becoming grainy, which I learned the hard way the first time I cranked the heat.
- Cutting while still slightly warm is easier than waiting until completely rigid, but cutting too early makes bars stick together on the knife.
03 -
- Dip your knife in hot water and wipe it between each cut for clean, sharp edges instead of squished bars.
- If you're adding mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit, fold them in with the cereal rather than sprinkling on top so they stay put.