Crispy Rice Cereal Treats

By lorik

Do not use mini marshmallows here. For the best results, weigh the cereal.

Ingredients

• Traditional:
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 (10-ounce) packages large marshmallows
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 cups (10 ounces) crisped rice cereal
• Peanut Butter and Honey:
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 (10-ounce) packages large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 cups (10 ounces) crisped rice cereal
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Bacon and Salted Caramel:
• 6 slices bacon
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 (10-ounce) packages large marshmallows
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Salt
• 10 cups (10 ounces) crisped rice cereal
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce
• Candy Bar:
• 2 (2-ounce) Snickers bars, chopped
• 1/2 cup M&M Minis
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 (10-ounce) packages large marshmallows
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 cups (10 ounces) crisped rice cereal

Details

Adapted from cookscountry.com

Preparation

Step 1

Traditional:
1. Spray rubber spatula and 13 by 9-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add marshmallows, vanilla, and salt and cook, stirring often with prepared spatula, until marshmallows are just melted, about 3 minutes (some marshmallows may not be fully melted; this is OK). Off heat, stir in cereal until fully combined.

2. Transfer cereal mixture to prepared pan. Using your damp hands, press cereal mixture into even layer. Let sit for 1 hour to set. Run knife around edge of pan to loosen treats, then turn out onto cutting board. Flip treats right side up and cut into 12 equal-size bars. Serve.



Peanut Butter and Honey:
1. Spray rubber spatula and 13 by 9-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add marshmallows, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt and cook, stirring often with prepared spatula, until marshmallows are just melted, about 3 minutes (some marshmallows may not be fully melted; this is OK). Off heat, stir in cereal until fully combined.

2. Transfer cereal mixture to prepared pan. Using your damp hands, press cereal mixture into even layer. Drizzle with honey. Let sit for 1 hour to set. Run knife around edge of pan to loosen treats, then turn out onto cutting board. Flip treats right side up and cut into 12 equal-size bars. Serve.

Bacon and Salted Caramel:
1. Cook bacon in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until crispy, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towel–lined plate, let sit until cool enough to handle, then crumble.

2. Spray rubber spatula and 13 by 9-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add marshmallows, vanilla, and ¼ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often with prepared spatula, until marshmallows are just melted, about 3 minutes (some marshmallows may not be fully melted; this is OK). Off heat, stir in cereal and two-thirds of bacon until fully combined.

Candy Bar:
1. Spray rubber spatula and 13 by 9-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Combine Snickers bars and M&M's Minis in bowl. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add marshmallows, vanilla, and salt and cook, stirring often with prepared spatula, until marshmallows are just melted, about 3 minutes (some marshmallows may not be fully melted; this is OK). Off heat, stir in cereal and 1 cup candy mixture until fully combined.

2. Transfer cereal mixture to prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining heaping ¼ cup candy mixture over cereal mixture. Using your damp hands, press cereal mixture into even layer. Let sit for 1 hour to set. Run knife around edge of pan to loosen treats, then turn out onto cutting board. Flip treats right side up and cut into 12 equal-size bars. Serve.