Brown Butter and Sea Salt Rice Krispie Treats

I have always loved Rice Krispie Treats. When we were little, Mom rarely let us have marshmallows in the house (they were saved for special occasions, like campfires), but Grandma would always have a box of cereal and bag of marshmallows ready for my brother and me. This recipe is a grown-up version of the back-of-the-box recipe…but kids will have no aversion to the update!

If you are lacking in the self-control department. you should probably make these for a gathering where there will be many people to share with. They would be great to bring to a summer picnic or pool party. But if it’s a random Monday and you’re not planning on leaving the house, I’d save them for another day…because they are addicting.

Tim and I finished an entire batch in less than a day. You’ve been warned.

Brown Butter and Sea Salt Rice Krispie Treats
adapted ever-so slightly from Smitten Kitchen

1 stick unsalted butter
1 10-ounce bag marshmallows
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (about half a 12-ounce box)

Butter (or coat with non-stick spray) an 8-inch square cake pan with 2-inch sides.

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. After it melts, it will foam and then start to turn brown and smell nutty. It happens in literally just a few minutes, so keep an eye on it.

As soon as the butter takes on a nutty color, reduce heat to the lowest setting and add the marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are smooth…your kitchen will be smelling amazing by this point.

When the marshmallows are completely melted, remove the pot from the stove and stir in the salt and cereal together. Quickly spread into prepared pan and sprinkle top with additional sea salt.

Let cool, cut into squares and try not to binge eat them all…