Who doesn’t love rice crispy treats?!? I mean, come on… what isn’t there to love about crispy cereal mixed with melted marshmallows and butter. NOTHING!

This is a slightly amped up version of the classic. Melt the butter until it takes on a nutty aroma, add some flaky sea salt to the melty goodness, stir in your cereal and bam, a sweet treat in about five minutes! The cooling process is also sped up when you can stick them outside in zero degree weather (we are having another polar vortex here in Pennsylvania).

I don’t have any photos from the actual process since they come together so quickly, the butter can go from browned to burned in a matter of a minute, and melted marshmallow that has cooled is like stirring cement. Working quickly is key for this recipe. If you want to make these gluten free, make sure to purchase rice crispy cereal without barley malt. Make sure the cereal is made with whole-grain brown rice.

Salted Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats
recipe from Smitten Kitchen

1 stick unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
10oz bag marshmallows
heaping 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Butter 8 or 9 inch square baking pan, or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Make sure you keep an eye on the butter. Don’t walk away or it will burn. When the butter melts, it will foam, then start to turn golden brown and smell nutty. Stir while butter melts and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan.

As soon as the butter turns a brown nutty color take the pan off the heat and stir in the marshmallows. The residual heat from the butter should melt the marshmallows. If they aren’t melting completely, put the pot back on low heat for a minute or two stirring constantly, then remove from the heat again. Stir until the marshmallows are smooth.

Once the marshmallows are completely melted, stir in the salt and rice cereal. Pot should be off the heat. Quickly pour into prepared baking pan. I spread some butter on my fingers to prevent sticking and to help press the mixture into the pan. You can also spray some wax paper or parchment paper with cooking spray and use that to press the mixture into the pan.

Let cool, cut into squares, and enjoy. You’ll thank me later 🙂