Rice Crispy Treats with Marshmallow Fluff

Name: Rice Crispy Treats with Marshmallow Fluff
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup salted butter (*); 7 ounces marshmallow fluff (*); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 5 cups crispy rice cereal ()

Rice crispy treats with marshmallow fluff are a simple twist on a classic. Gooey and sweet, these nostalgic treats are made with marshmallow creme instead of marshmallows. They are perfect for a quick and easy dessert!

Rice crispy treats with marshmallow fluff on a serving tray.

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Is there anything more nostalgic than Rice Krispie Treats? They are so crisp, gooey, and satisfying. I love them so much, I set out to make a homemade cereal treat using simple ingredients. The result is this amazing recipe. Delicious, easy, and the perfect bite of nostalgia.

This recipe comes together quickly and is my go-to easy dessert when hosting parties. A good old fashioned cookie assortment is one of my favorite desserts. For the perfect variety of flavors I love to serve these treats with my 2 ingredient peanut butter cookies, lemon blueberry cookies, chocolate chip sugar cookies, and 3 ingredient brown sugar cookies. If you're looking to up the nostalgia factor, try crumbling these treats over my no egg vanilla ice cream. The combination tastes like sugary cereal with milk!

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Ingredients
Substitutions and Variations
Instructions
Equipment
Storage
Expert tips
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Recipe
Reviews

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Crispy rice cereal: any crispy rice cereal will work. When choosing a cereal, I always check the ingredients to avoid unwanted additives and preservatives. A favorite is Whole Food's Brown Rice Crisps with the only ingredients being "organic whole grain brown rice, organic cane sugar, and sea salt." These are all familiar ingredients that I use in my own kitchen.
Marshmallow fluff: either fluff or creme will work. If looking for an organic creme option, I love Toonie Moonie's organic marshmallow creme that's made with simple ingredients.
Salted butter: using the salted version perfectly balances the sweetness of the treats. I prefer using grass-fed butter because the richness adds a great flavor. It may also have more heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants than conventional butter.

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

Use unsalted butter instead: you can use unsalted butter instead of the salted version. If doing so, you may wish to add a bit of salt to the marshmallow mixture to balance the sweetness.
Add toppings: there is something especially nostalgic and fun about decorating these treats. You can add a drizzle of melted chocolate, toasted coconut flakes, sprinkles, or fresh fruit. My favorite is to crush up freeze dried fruit, such as strawberries, and sprinkle them on top.

Instructions

Step 1: Grease an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with butter and set aside.

Butter, marshmallow fluff, and vanilla extract are mixed together in a pot.

Step 2: Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallow fluff, stirring until it is completely melted and combined with the butter. Then add the vanilla extract, stirring to combine.

Rice crispy cereal is folded into the marshmallow mixture until evenly coated.

Step 3: Remove the pot from the heat. Pour the cereal into the pot with the marshmallow mixture. Gently fold together until the cereal is evenly coated.

The cereal mixture is pressed into a baking dish.

Step 4: Carefully transfer the cereal mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to press it into an even layer.

The rice crispy treats are covered while they cool.

Step 5: Cover the baking dish and allow the treats to cool for 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 1 to 2 hours at room temperature.

The rice crispy treats are cut into bars before serving.

Step 6: Once set, cut the treats into 16 even squares. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Equipment

8-inch square baking pan
Large pot
Measuring spoons
Food scale or measuring cups
Airtight container for storage

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. These treats can be frozen for up to 6 weeks in an airtight container. Place parchment between the layers of treats to prevent sticking. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before enjoying.

See the USDA Leftovers and Food Safety guide for more information.

Expert tips

Using marshmallow fluff may yield a softer and more pliable treat than those made with regular marshmallows. To help them set well, you will need to press them into the baking pan a bit more firmly than you would when using marshmallows.
Use a silicone spatula to minimize sticking when putting the marshmallow fluff in the pot. If you don't have a spatula you can use two spoons to transfer the fluff into the pot.
For a shortcut, you can cool the treats in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting into squares. If cooling at room temperature, they will need 1 to 2 hours to fully set.

FAQ

What is a substitute for marshmallows in rice crispy treats?

Marshmallow fluff or creme is a great substitute for regular marshmallows when making rice crispy treats. In addition to being delicious, the smooth and spreadable texture saves time when making the marshmallow mixture.

Why did my homemade rice crispy treats get hard?

Using too high of a heat when making the marshmallow mixture may result in hard rice crispy treats. To prevent this, keep the heat low when making the mixture. The treats may also harden if stored in the refrigerator. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes so they soften before eating.

Looking for more cookie recipes? Try these favorites:

Pairing

These treats go amazing with ice cream. Try out these delicious flavors:

Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and tag @little.nonni on Instagram!

Recipe