I still lose my way sometimes. Big time.
I’ve been in New Orleans for, what is it… four years now? It just takes one unexpectedly closed road (and it happens all the time) and all of a sudden I’m thisway and thatway and all sorts of turned around. The only way out is through, right… because I refuse to use navigation at this point.
I’ve also found that another way out is to find your way home, dig out your old cookbook, and make your simpliciest most satisfying recipe. Which brings us here – to rice krispie treats with both browned butter and peanut butter and enough salt to keep us guessing.
I got lost today. Then found. Then peanut butter treats. Follow me in the kitchen, not on the road.
Here’s how we do!
Grab a box of rice krispie cereal. Get that butter and peanut butter. Get those big marshmallow and those little ones too! Sea salt and let’s go!
First we’ll brown the butter in a large skillet. It’s the milk solids that will brown over medium heat. Just give them a bit of time.
See also: How To Make Browned Butter.
Into the just browned butter, a boatload of big marshmallows.
And a big swipe of peanut butter too.
Stirred over low heat until melted and smooth.
I’m smiling but this is HOT (peanut butter) LAVA!
Poured directly and quickly into the crisp cereal.
On top of the hot lava – two big handfuls of mini marshmallows. They’ll only melt partially and give the treats spots of gooey marshmallow.
Flaky salt. Flaky salt to balance the sweetness of all that marshmallow.
Stir and stir. Toss and coat every bit of cereal.
Pile the peanut butter cereal mixture into the buttery pan.
A spatula to press the sticky treats into every corner of the pan.
If you find that the crispy treats are sticking to the spatula more than they’re resting in the pan, butter the spatula making it deliciously nonstick.
More salt you say? Yup, more salt I say.
Let the treats rest in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
This will give the big ol’ square a chance to stick together and play nice.
Slice generously. Slice like you’re sharing with people you really like.
We’re in familiar territory friends. Welcome to it.
Photos with dearhreart: Jon Melendez!
PrintBrowned Butter Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 30
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 (10-ounce) bag large marshmallows
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over the side on two sides. Butter the bottom of the paper as well. Set aside.
- Place cereal in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large, heavy bottom saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until just browned. Butter will melt, foam and begin to spit as the water cooks out of the butter. Whisk browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
- Just as the butter begins to brown add the large marshmallows and the peanut butter. Stir with a spatula until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is sticky smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and immediately pour into the cereal bowl. Add the salt and mini marshmallows and quick stir, coating all of the cereal in the peanut butter mixture.
- Turn the mixture out into the prepared pan and press to fill all sides of the pan with a spatula. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing into 9 or 12 squares.
- Wrap individually in plastic wrap. Crispy treats will last, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
Jess
Rice Krispies hold a special place in my heart. My Mom worked a lot and hated cooking but one of the few things she would make, with me by her side, were these sweet treats. She would let me eat the stray bites out of the bowl while I sat on the kitchen counter. So when I made your recipe I was instantly transported back to my childhood. But your Rice Krispies were far superior (my husband and I might have eaten half the pan that night) and I can’t wait to make these with my daughter, continuing the Rice Krispie memories! Thank you!
Christina
You know it’s gonna be good when butter is in the name…twice. I made the “mistake” of adding the whole bag of mini marshmallows instead of just two handfuls. Oops. :)
Julia G
Joy, you are the devil sometimes, and I mean that in the most positive way. I hadn’t planned on baking on a Monday but this isn’t really baking, soooo… I made these yesterday and had to give some to my dad and sister so my husband and I didn’t eat every last one. Fortunately it was Dad’s birthday, so no complaints there! The addition of the sea salt flakes and mini mallows takes this from kid snack to grown-up treat, in my opinion.
Sara
Made this for my hub’s bday. Spread the top with 10 oz dark chocolate melting wafers and then added sprinkles. 10/10 would recommend.
Elizabeth
This brings back so many memories of my sister and I making rice krispy treats together when we were little. Your version is much prettier than ours, though :) haha
Janice Wilhelm
This looked wonderful and I can’t wait to try it. I was wondering when you add the mini marshmallows in.
Cynthia
These look awesome! I stopped in to Ken’s Market last weekend and saw your sister’s ice-cream. Picked up a pint of Vanilla Heath Bar and ate the entire thing with the husband that night. Oh my. The guys at the check-out were all a-flutter about it too. Said they couldn’t keep Sweet Lo’s stocked!
Natalie
yum! these look so good!
Mikel
Thank you! I’ve been lost too. I think I see my turn up ahead though! :) I can’t wait to try this recipe, thanks for the reminder that the way out is through.
helen
LOL!
Follow me in the kitchen,not on the road! +1 to that i say! :)
If i wrote a kitchen blog, it may not be a 10th as nice as yours..bit if i wrote one on getting lost and er.. trying to get found. it may make it to top 10 most adventures!
nice to know i have such good company on the road
BTW, am really like R E A L L Y curious to know who you give your baked treats to?
u wanna a neighbour? or even a grateful recipent?
Gimme a shout – will ya :)
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
Oh my gosh, I so feel this! I’ve lived in Milwaukee for 6 years now and I STILL get turned around. But, I always know my kitchen and my fav cookies will always make me feel like I’m home xoxo
Paula
It’s the simplest thing to reserve those little guys for after melting, and yet I’ve never thought to do that before. This is what I love about baking: one small tweak takes something great to something superb.
Jill
I love an oldie but goodie tweaked. Peanut butter and browned butter takes them over the top! Thanks for simple perfection!
Judith
I love you and all your recipes, books etc, but why are you so trim, you must give all your treats away xx
Ashlyn @ The Pedantic Foodie
There’s nothing so delightful as a rice krispie treat!! These look amazing!