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Toasted Marshmallow Caramel Rice Krispie Treats. These Rice Krispie treats are like no other. Made with salted butter, brown sugar, apple cider, and toasted marshmallows. They’re sweet, salty, buttery, extra gooey, a little toasty, and just a bit addicting. You’re going to love these! They’re fun to make, no matter your age. The perfect school bake sale treat that will win everyone over.
I never thought I would be so excited to share a Rice Krispie Treat recipe. Honestly, I didn’t think the world needed another Rice Krispie Treat recipe beyond what comes on the back of the Rice Krispie cereal box.
My mom would use the recipe on the back of the box. Well, actually, she’d add an extra stick of butter because that’s just how my mom makes her krispie treats. She made the best desserts growing up.
But in the new cookbook (25% off today with code PREORDER25), I share a recipe that I adore. It’s for Caramel Rice Krispie Treats, and it’s so special. I can’t wait for you all to make them!
This recipe is a variation of those, and these are special, too. When I had the idea, I wondered why I’d never thought of it before.
TOASTED marshmallow Rice Krispie Treats! Yes, of course! Toasted marshmallows don’t even compare to untoasted. You have to toast them. When you toast marshmallows, they go from tasting like straight sugar to actually having a yummy flavor from the toasted, caramelized sugars.
So delicious! If you made my Toasted Marshmallow Cookie Bars from last week, then you know what’s up!
Alright, here are the details
Step 1: make the brown sugar caramel
You need a couple of sticks of salted butter, some dark brown sugar, and apple cider—not apple cider vinegar, just apple cider.
Mix this all together in the largest pot you have. Bring the mix to a boil and cook until it thickens up. About 5 minutes is usually all it takes!
Add some flaky sea salt if desired.
Step 2: mix in the marshmallows and Rice Krispies
Next, mix the mini marshmallows into the caramel. Stir the marshmallows until totally melted.
Then mix in the cereal.
Step 3: toast the marshmallows
I use the broiler to do this quickly. Arrange the marshmallows on a baking sheet, then broil until toasted.
My only very important note here is not to walk away from the oven while these toast. Everyone’s broilers cook differently, but a broiler will generally toast these up FAST. Watch them closely because they can go from white to black in seconds.
Once the marshmallows are toasted, mix them into the Rice Krispies promptly. Just a gentle stir is all you need to do here. They do not need to be fully mixed.
Step 4: press the treats into a pan
As a final step, press the Rice Krispie mix into a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Let them set for at least 30 minutes, then cut them into bars!
They’ll be gooey and messier than most Rice Krispie treats, but that’s what makes them so good. Just embrace the sticky, sweet, delicious mess.
Great for back-to-school, game nights, and transitioning into cozy autumn baking days/nights!
Looking for easy party desserts? Here are a few ideas:
Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies
Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Twix Bars
Caramel Butter Cake with Fudgy Chocolate Frosting
Retro-Style Chocolate Sheet Cake
Lastly, if you make these Toasted Marshmallow Caramel Rice Krispie Treats, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Toasted Marshmallow Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Servings: 24 bars
Calories Per Serving: 108 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 bag (10-ounce) mini marshmallows
- 1 box (12 – ounce) Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 bag (12 -ounce) regular marshmallows
Instructions
- 1. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper. Preheat the broiler.2. Add the butter and brown sugar to a large pot set over medium heat. Let the butter melt, then add the cider. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has melted and the mixture is dark and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt. Turn the heat to low. Add the mini marshmallows and stir until melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.3. Mix in the cereal.4. Arrange the regular marshmallows on a baking sheet. Broil 1-2 minutes, until toasted. Watch closely, the marshmallows will toast FAST. Mix the toasted marshmallows into the cereal. Immediately transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly and packing it in tightly. Sprinkle with flaky salt.5. Let set and cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Cut into bars and serve. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
This post was originally published on September 6, 2024
These ultimately came out delicious I must say the combination is as good as it sounds! That being said I personally had a little issue with the broiling of the marshmallow mine actually caught on fire which was quite scary I was right there and it had only been about 1 minute. Perhaps I have a hotter oven but I recommend doing at least two or three spots from the top because to prevent this. Like I said these were so yummy just be extra cautious
Hey Kimberly,
I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, I’m so glad it was a hit! So sorry about the marshmallows. Happy Halloween!🎃
These were amazing! I don’t think I can ever go back to “regular” Rice Krispie treats again. These will be much taller in the pan (more cereal and marshmallows) so my only suggestion would be to cut them smaller than you would for “normal” Rice Krispie treats or you may not be able to finish one.
Hey Jenny,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, I am so glad to hear it was a hit!
These are the best rice kispies I’ve ever had. I brought them to a family event and the ones left over were taken by everyone. 10/10 I’m making another batch for someone’s birthday soon.
I did only use 1 1/2 sticks of butter and used less than a whole bag of mini marshmallows and I would recommend that as mine were still very very sticky and gooey.
Hey Aleecia,
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you!
Thanks for giving it a try and your comment! Have a great week ahead!
These are disgusting….apple cider vinegar!!?? Why?? I thought it must do some magical chemical flavor reaction…..no just apple cider vinegar flavor. GAG!
Hi there,
The recipe does not call for vinegar, it’s just apple cider:) Please let me know if you give the recipe another try, I sure hope you will! xx
When I go to print, it doesn’t include the SIZE of the marshmallow/cereal items which should be there. Just FYI. It is listed on the page, but in print they aren’t there.
Hey Sandra,
Thanks so much for pointing this out, will definitely work to get it fixed! I hope you love the recipe!
Did you put chocolate chips in the recipe in the photo? There is something dark in them and it’s not in the recipe listed.
Hi Megan,
There are no chocolate chips in this recipe, it’s the broiling from the toasted marshmallows. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Adding to my previous comment, also lined the cookie sheet for toasting with nonstick foil, made transferring them to the bowl a snap.
Thanks so much for sharing this tip!!
We have made MANY of your variations on Rice Krispie bars and this one was not exception. I didn’t have cider so followed one of the other commenters with oj/bourbon, YES! Also, this went quite well with my husband stirring in the cereal while I watched the toasting marshmallows. Also agree with someone that mentioned NOT packing them tightly, we like our a little softer. Thanks for another great adventure to an old favorite.
Hey Sandra,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was a winner!
A very interesting and great change to regular Rice Krispie squares. Took them to a party where they were very popular, Enquiring minds were trying to sort out the flavours, the cider vinegar is a tasty secret ingredient. Fun to make a recipe that is so unusual and tasty.
Hey Bev,
Amazing! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try, so glad it turned out nicely for you! Have the best weekend!🌸
These were way to wet for me and never set up. Kind of disappointing.
hi Emily,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear you had some issues. Was there anything you may have adjusted? Did they just need some more Rice Krispies? Let me know how I can help! xx
Amazing! Made as written. All adult dinner party and they disappeared quickly, most had 2nds! Thanks for an amazing dessert ❤️
Hi Dawnee,
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe and your comment! Love to hear it was a winner! XxT
Hi Tieghan!
I couldn’t find apple cider
Can i use apple juice instead or should i just omit it?
Thanks!
Hey Stephanie,
Sure, I think that would be just fine for you to use! I hope you love this recipe! xT
Loved these!!! Perfect fall treat & I’ll definitely make them again.
My question though….how “toasty” did you make the large marshmallows? I did the tops….but I didn’t get many dark parts in the bars. Mine also seemed very melty still & were incorporated into the bars. Should I have let them totally cool first? Other than that….loved these & can’t wait to make them again. Thanks for another great recipe!
Hey Susan,
Fantastic! So glad to hear this turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! I let my marshmallow get pretty toasty, totally personal preference. Nope, you did that correctly, they should be melty and incorporate into the bars! Happy Friday:) xT