These Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats are the gooiest rice krispie treats you’ll ever have, with an easy caramel sauce that is added to the marshmallow mixture, and layered in the middle of the treats – really taking them to the next level!
Rice krispie treats are a classic dessert from so many of our childhoods, but even as an adult I still love them. And these salted caramel rice krispie treats really take their flavor up a notch.
They combine the rich, buttery, marshmallow flavor of rice krispie treats with sweet caramel, and a hint of salt to create a practically irresistible dessert.
These salted caramal rice krispy treats are rice krispie treats taken to the next level. You all know how much I love rice krispie treats, well these are getting added into my regular rotation. You still have the traditional and delicious gooey marshmallow, but you’re adding in a homemade salted caramel sauce to the mix.
These are perfect for a treat to send in school lunch boxes, for an afternoon snack, or to share with your friends and neighbors so you don’t find yourself eating the whole batch!
Recipe Note: The bars are thick, and super rich, so cut the pieces small to not overload yourself.
Why make this recipe
- Extra Gooey Texture – Made with lots of marshmallows, and caramel these bars are soft, gooey, and so irresistible.
- Amazing Caramel Flavor – The combination of the sweet caramel, dash of salt, and gooey marshmallows is such a great twist, and delicious flavor combo.
- Quick and Easy to Make – These treats have a simple caramel made with soft caramel candies and sweetened condensed milk. They take less than 30 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for them to set so you can slice them, and they’re easier to handle.
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Soft caramel candies – I’ve used Kraft or Werther’s Caramels. A caramel block will work too – but don’t use caramel bits because the texture is more grainy.
- Unsalted Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Sea Salt – A traditional table salt will work as well
- Mini Marshmallows
- Crisp Rice Cereal
How to make Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Make the caramel sauce. Add the sweetened condensed milk, caramels, and butter to a small sauce pan over medium heat. Cook until the caramels are melted, stirring often, and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Then stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
Step 2: Make the gooey marshmallow mixture. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium low heat. Add in the marshmallow and stir them into the butter until they are totally melted. Add in 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce and stir it into the melted marshmallows.
Step 3: Mix in the Cereal. Add the rice cereal into the marshmallow mixture, add in the remaining marshmallows if using too. Stir gently until the cereal is coated in the marshmallow mixture.
Step 4: Press into the pan. Scoop half of the rice cereal mixture into a lined baking pan. Press the mixture down lightly and evenly, but don’t press too hard or the bars will get hard. Pour the caramel sauce over the rice krispy layer. Add the rest of the rice krispy mixture on top of the caramel in dollops, spreading as much as you can to create an even layer. Let the treats set for a couple hours until the caramel layer and the bars are set.
Tips and Tricks:
- Low and Slow: Melt the marshmallow mixture over a low temperature to keep it from overheating, and to keep your treats nice and gooey.
- Don’t Pack: Gently press the bars into the baking pan. If you pack them down too hard the bars will end up hard and crunchy, and not soft and gooey like we want.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Use soft, fresh marshmallows, and fresh cereal or your treats won’t be the texture we want. There are only a few ingredients in these, so you want to use good quality for all of them.
Storage Instructions
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. Don’t keep them in fridge or the bars will get too hard.
The salted caramel sauce takes the classic recipe to a whole new level. It adds the perfect gooey caramel and salty kick to make these the perfect sweet and salty treat. So next time you’re craving a sweet and salty treat try these salted caramel rice krispies treats. I promise you won’t regret it!
More rice krispie treat recipes:
- Snickers Rice Krispie Treats
- Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats
- Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats
- Pink Dipped Rice Krispie Treats
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
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Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 15 oz soft caramels (unwrapped)
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 TBS unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Rice Krispie Treats:
- 6 TBS unsalted butter
- 16 oz mini marshmallows (divided)
- 9 cups crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside until needed.
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- Add the soft caramels, sweetened condensed milk, and butter to a medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the caramels are melted and the mixture can be stirred smooth and creamy. 15 oz soft caramels, 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 2 TBS unsalted butter
- Remove from the heat and stir in the sea salt and vanilla extract. Set aside until needed. 1 tsp Sea Salt, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Rice Krispie Treats:
- Melt the butter over medium low heat in a large sauce pan. 6 TBS unsalted butter
- Add in all but 1 cup of the marshmallows and stir together till the marshmallows are almost completely melted. 16 oz mini marshmallows
- Stir in 1/2 cup of the salted caramel sauce.
- Pour in the cereal and remaining marshmallows, and stir them together. 9 cups crispy rice cereal
- Pour half of the cereal mixture into the prepared pan and press it lightly across the bottom of the pan into an even layer.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the top of the rice krispie layer.
- Drop the remaining rice krispie mixture onto the caramel in dollops, spreading around carefully an evenly, into an even layer as much as you can.
- Let the treats cool to room temperature and set for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into pieces and enjoy.
Notes
- Low and Slow: Melt the marshmallow mixture over a low temperature to keep it from overheating, and to keep your treats nice and gooey.
- Don’t Pack: Gently press the bars into the baking pan. If you pack them down too hard the bars will end up hard and crunchy, and not soft and gooey like we want.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Use soft, fresh marshmallows, and fresh cereal or your treats won’t be the texture we want. There are only a few ingredients in these, so you want to use good quality for all of them.
Nutrition
These salted caramel rice krispie treats were first posted on September 11, 2017. The photos and blog text were updated on May 8, 2024.
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