Crispy Treat Bar (Printable)

Chewy, crunchy bars with crispy rice cereal and melted marshmallows, great for snacks and parties.

# What You Need:

→ Base

01 - 6 cups crispy rice cereal
02 - 4 cups mini marshmallows
03 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Optional Add-ins

04 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - Pinch of salt

# How-To:

01 - Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter.
03 - Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
04 - Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt if using.
05 - Fold in the crispy rice cereal gently until all pieces are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
06 - Quickly transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press evenly using a buttered spatula or wax paper.
07 - If using, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and press gently into the surface.
08 - Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes to set.
09 - Cut into 16 bars and serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes total, plus cooling time—faster than most desserts and way more impressive.
  • Only five basic ingredients that you probably already have, with room to make it your own.
  • Impossibly nostalgic and crowd-pleasing; even adults who think they're too sophisticated end up sneaking seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step—cutting them warm will make a sticky mess, but cutting them cold gives you clean edges and perfect bars.
  • If you use large marshmallows instead of mini ones, they'll take twice as long to melt and won't coat the cereal evenly; I learned this by making the mistake.
03 -
  • Butter your spatula before pressing the mixture into the pan; it prevents sticking and gives you better control.
  • If you're adding mix-ins like nuts or chocolate, fold them in right after the cereal so they distribute evenly throughout the bars.

Return