Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats are a sophisticated twist on the childhood classic! My version is made with an easy homemade caramel sauce and finished with a drizzle of chocolate.
Gourmet Rice Krispie Treats
These salted caramel rice krispie treats are the gourmet version of your favorite childhood snack. They are thick with caramel, crunchy, chewy, and SO easy to make too. I like to top mine off with a chocolate drizzle (you know I can’t resist caramel and chocolate!), and I’ve lightly salted them too, because what’s caramel without a little salt?!
Today’s recipe starts with a quick and simple caramel sauce, but please don’t let that intimidate you. Making caramel sauce on the stove is not difficult, and unlike making caramel candy, there is no boiling and no need for a candy thermometer. It’s easy!
Why try my recipe:
- Just 25 minutes to make!
- Perfect for packing in lunchboxes.
- Rich flavor with minimal effort.
- A simple, but satisfying no-bake dessert!
What You Need
Only 8 ingredients come together to make this easy dessert! Here are the important ones:
- Butter. While I like to use European butter in my regular rice krispie treats, I don’t find it makes much of a difference here since we’re getting so much flavor from the caramel sauce (though you could certainly use European butter, I just like to save my money here). While I recommend using salted butter, you can substitute unsalted and just add a pinch more salt.
- Marshmallows. Make sure you use mini marshmallows, as these will melt easier. Save your full sized marshmallows for s’mores or hot chocolate!
- Heavy cream. Double cream or whipping cream will also work.
- Chocolate. A drizzle of semisweet chocolate (either from a chopped bar, chocolate chips, or melting wafers) is a necessity for me. You can always skip it though!
SAM’S TIP: If you can’t wait for your treats to cool, you can always pop them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to help them firm up a little before cutting them. Just don’t leave them there too long — the refrigerator can dry out rice krispie treats and make them hard and stale.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- Stir together the butter, brown sugar and heavy cream over medium-low heat until melted, then increase the heat to medium and whisk for 2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the salt and vanilla.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
- Stir in the cereal until everything is fully coated, then spread the mixture into a buttered 9×13 pan.
- Drizzle with melted chocolate and let harden before cutting.
SAM’S TIP: Press your cereal mixture into your pan so your salted caramel rice krispie treats stick together once cooled, but be careful not to pack the mixture too firmly into your pan, or they will be hard and too dense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your treats will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. Refrigerating can make them too hard, so I don’t recommend storing this way.
I talk more about this in my original rice krispie treats post, but essentially this can happen for one of two reasons: too high of heat when cooking or too much pressure when pressing into the pan. Make sure you don’t crank up the heat when cooking (particularly when melting the marshmallows) and use a gentle, but firm hand to spread the cereal mixture into your pan.
It depends on the cereal you use. While rice itself is gluten free, some puffed rice cereals use additives that contain gluten. Always make sure to check that all of the products you use are certified gluten free before serving to any gluten sensitive guests!
Love these? You simply have to try my caramel popcorn or caramelitas next!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Salted Caramel Rice Krispies
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) salted butter (plus additional for greasing pan)
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar firmly packed
- 6 Tablespoons (88 ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 10 oz (283 g) marshmallows (mini or regular-sized will work fine)
- 7 cups (205 g) crisped rice cereal
- ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate baking bar for drizzle, optional
- additional flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top optional
Instructions
- Prepare a 13×9" baking pan by lightly greasing the bottom and sides with butter. Set aside.
- In large pot melt together butter, brown sugar and heavy cream on medium-low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.½ cup (113 g) salted butter, 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, 6 Tablespoons (88 ml) heavy cream
- Once butter is melted, increase heat to medium and whisk for 2 minutes (do not allow to come to a boil).
- Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Stir in salt and vanilla extract.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Stir in marshmallows, stirring constantly until completely melted.10 oz (283 g) marshmallows
- Add cereal and stir well, ensuring ingredients are well combined and cereal is entirely coated by caramel mixture.7 cups (205 g) crisped rice cereal
- Spread into prepared pan.
- Melt chocolate in microwave by heating at 15 second increments and stirring regularly.¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate baking bar
- Drizzle chocolate over cereal in pan. Allow rice krispies to sit until chocolate hardens before cutting and serving.additional flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top
Notes
Storing
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I do not recommend refrigerating.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Desire
I’ve saved so many of your recipes. I just love them all so much! But, I also really enjoy the things you have to say, it truly goes to show your passion! Thanks for all you do!
Sam
I really appreciate the positive feedback, Desire! I am so glad you enjoy my recipes. 😃😃😃
Brielle @ Breezy Bakes
Oh yes!!! I am always looking for quick and easy gluten free treats for my daughter. She is going to LOVE these…if there are any left for her. Haha! Seriously, these look insane!
Sam
😀 Thanks so much Brielle, I hope she likes them! 🙂
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four
Oh man, I can never get enough of Rice Krispies..they are some of my favorite childhood treats! I love this version with the caramel and chocolate…I don’t blame you for obsessing over caramel, it does magical things to food! On another note, this post made me think of this meme I just came across in my news feed on FB…it had a couple minions and said something like “As a kid, I must have ate too many rice krispies. Now, all my body does is snap crackle and pop!” lol
Sam
Haha, I haven’t seen that meme but I’m loving it, too cute! Thanks, Beeta! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Lol!! I have a food addictive personality as well! But my current obsession is embarassing. Nothing nearly as cool as caramel 😀 Love your twist on the classic rice crispy treat- I mean with caramel AND chocolate what’s not to love?? My nephew and niece would flip out over these! Cheers, girlie!
Sam
Well now I want to know what your current obsession is! Thank you, Cheyanne! 🙂
Inês Vieira
that sea salt detail does make things better. not a big fan of rice krispies or cereal bars, but I could eat this.
http://loadsof-joy.blogspot.com
Sam
Thank you! 🙂
Culina Sophia
Absolutely love the idea of using caramel! When I was younger everyone used to get Squares for snacks (those rice krispies and marshmallow bars) but I was never allowed so I’m going have to make up for that now and make these… Also the sprinkling of salt at the end is so clever!
Sam
🙂 Thank you Sophia!!
Ana | Espresso My Kitchen
These sound so yummy with the caramel sauce, and chocolate drizzle would be a must for me, yum! 🙂
Sam
🙂 Thanks, Ana!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries
Drooling, like usual, over your recipes! This looks amazing. I’m not sure what it is about rice krispies (maybe the nostalgia), but they are so irrationally good for how simple they are to make. I am obsessed!
Sam
🙂 Thanks so much, Annie!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
These rice krispie treats are next level! So yum 🙂
Sam
Thank you, Medha! 🙂
Sarah | Broma Bakery
Love the added nuttiness from the caramelization. You go girl!
Sam
Haha, thank you, Sarah! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
These rice krispies look amazing Sam! And that chocolate drizzle on top is just beyond YUM!
Sam
🙂 Thank you, Anu!
Katalina@ Peas and Peonies
I don’t think I can ever be too old to say no to a rice krispy, I was introduced to them when I moved to US and from the first bite it was love! I like the different flavors, and how easy they are to make.
Sam
So simple but so delicious! Thank you, Katalina!!
Tonya
My kiddos will love this! Well…me too! Rice Krispies are classic!
Sam
They really are, and so good! Thanks, Tonya!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Rice Krispie Treats bring out the kid in all of us! Love the caramel!
Sam
Thank you, Kathy!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I can never get enough of rice krispie treats, so I’m loving these! Such a great idea to add in caramel. These wouldn’t last long in my house!
Sam
Thank you, Gayle!