Crispy Rice Chewy Squares (Printable)
Chewy-sweet crispy rice cereal squares with melted marshmallows, ideal for snacking or parties.
# What You'll Need:
→ Base
01 - 6 cups crispy rice cereal
02 - 4 cups mini marshmallows
03 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Optional Add-ins
04 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
05 - Pinch of sea salt
# Directions:
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 mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
04 - Remove the mixture from heat and stir in vanilla extract and sea salt, if using.
05 - Quickly add crispy rice cereal and mix gently until fully coated with the marshmallow mixture.
06 - Transfer the coated cereal mixture to the prepared pan and press evenly with a buttered spatula or wax paper, avoiding compacting too firmly for optimal texture.
07 - Allow to cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, then cut into 12 squares and serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They taste like childhood nostalgia but come together in less time than ordering delivery.
- One pan, minimal cleanup, and people will genuinely think you spent hours on them.
- Endlessly customizable depending on what you have in your pantry or what mood you're in.
02 -
- Marshmallows can seize or clump if the heat is too high—keep that burner on low and stir constantly.
- Pressing too hard into the pan creates a dense, chewy bar instead of individual crispy-meets-chewy squares; gentle pressure is your friend.
- Room temperature cooling matters more than you'd think; the treats set as they cool and cutting warm ones will make them crumble.
03 -
- Use a bendy spatula instead of a spoon for pressing the mixture into the pan; you'll get even distribution with less effort.
- If the mixture hardens before you get it into the pan, gently reheat it over low heat while stirring, and try again.