I like to make things and share them with other people. It’s just an appreciation thing. Food is my go-to thing, obvi…and sometimes I try to make something that’s an old fave. Something simple, maybe even with a bit of childhood nostalgia.
Whenever I stay with friends, I try to bring a little something as a hostess gift. These treats ended up being the perfect gift for my friend, who LOVES the classic version, because they take to air travel quite well, wrapped up tight and stowed in a carry-on. The salty caramel melts into the gooey, buttery marshmallow mixture, making the flavor similar to the classic version but deeper and more special from the caramelized sugar. A sprinkling of coarse salt takes them over the top and into gifting territory.
Salted Caramel Crispy Rice Squares
This recipe combines the standard ingredients for crispy rice treats with buttery, salted caramel. Making the caramel sauce is the only additional step and one that is totally worth it. I’m sure you could use store bought caramel sauce in a pinch.
Salted Caramel Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons butter, unsalted
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
In a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan, combine sugar and water heating to melt sugar. Cook the syrup until it becomes dark golden brown–take it as far as you dare without burning the sugar. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the butter, to combine, then the cream, salt, and vanilla. The mixture will steam and bubble furiously, so be careful not to scald your hand as you stir. Caramel should be smooth and glossy. Pour into a heatproof jar and prepare the remaining ingredients.
Crisp Rice Squares:
4 cups mini marshmallows
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 recipe salted caramel sauce
6 cups crisp rice cereal
smoked or plain sea salt for sprinkling
Lightly grease a 9x13inch baking pan. Set aside.
In a large pot over medium heat melt together the butter and marshmallows, add the caramel stir to combine. Add the crispy rice cereal and mix well to coat evenly. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and allow to set for several hours before cutting. Wrap squares individually with plastic to store. Will keep 1 week at room temperature.
Oh, I mustn’t.
I just… can’t.
Oh hell.
Of course I will.
haha, yes!
i love this – it’s like the grown up version of rice crispy treats! looks delicious!
Thank you Ahu!
My mouth seriously starts watering just from reading the words salted caramel. I love the stuff that much. I recently made the mistake of buying a jar of Trader Joe’s Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce. It was gone in about 3 days flat. Just me, the jar, and a spoon.
These look delicious, and good thinking on them being good for air travel! I’m always looking for packable treats 🙂
Oh, jeez…that’s danger!
Cindy, these look and sound fantastic! I haven’t had a rice crispy treat since I was a kid. Love this “grown up” version.
Thanks Kayla!
Those look fabulous! I just made some with caramel and cheerios not long ago on my blog. Here’s the link if you want to take a look: http://piesandplots.net/caramel-cheerio-treats/ Yours are much prettier than mine and I bet they taste amazing 🙂
Awesome! Thanks Laura!
Hi! Just stumbled across your site today on Pinterest and made these for a farewell gathering. Very popular. This was my first time making caramel and thought I was doing something wrong at first because the sugar-water wasn’t changing. On medium heat and stirring constantly, it took about 20 minutes for the sugar to caramelize. Not sure if that’s the “correct” way, but that’s what it took on my stove. The sprinkled salt at the end makes this dessert really ‘pop’! Thanks for sharing!
Elaine, yay! I’m glad you liked them. Sometimes caramelizing sugar takes some time, but it’s well worth it. 🙂
My boyfriend has been buying the original store-bought treats and I keep telling him it’s so easy (and “healthier”) for me to make them for him. I think these may just convince him!
yes! I hope it does/did!
Holy moly! These sound amazing! Perfect carry-on treat 🙂
Thanks Nicole!
I can’t remember the last time I had one of these crispy delights, but I’m pretty sure it didn’t taste nearly as good as these will!
omnomnomnomnom
yes! thanks Brittany!
Oh Cindy. I thought I wanted something chocolate but now all I want is salted caramel and rice krispies.
ha, it happens 🙂
i am the same way. i love bring little baked good gifts for people.
this is an awesome recipe! yummmm, genius.
yes, glad to know it 😉
Squares of heaven!
P.S. Based on your baked good transporting I totally successfully brought cookies to NYC. HEll yeah.
hells yeah, girl!
i am making this for my girls 7th birthday tomorrow.. it sounds delish! i only have half and half though, do you think that would substitute okay for the heavy cream?
ok… I think after this recipe you are stuck with me as a loyal reader.
I made these and your chocolate chip bars for my husband’s Navy bake sale on Monday, and these are so delicious its RIDICULOUS! For those who don’t like things too sweet like me, these were the PERFECT! the salt really comes through and makes these squares something special.
Needless to say… we were the only ones who sold out of every last square and bar. BOOM.
I am now inspired to bake more.. (:
Awesome! I am so glad to hear you liked both recipes…totally made my day 🙂 Happy Holidays!