As soon as I stumbled upon this recipe, I was whisked back to childhood afternoons spent devouring sweet and salty snacks with reckless abandon. Imagine the crunch of pretzels meeting the gooey embrace of peanut butter—it’s like a nostalgic hug from your taste buds! I might be exaggerating, but these no-bake treats are a revelation, a culinary epiphany, if you will—perfect for those days when the oven feels like a distant memory.
Steps
- Prepare a 9-inch square pan by lining it with parchment paper and lightly spraying it with cooking spray. Break pretzel sticks into small pieces, ensuring you measure them after breaking. Combine the Rice Krispies cereal and broken pretzels in a large bowl for even distribution later.
- In a large, heavy pan, melt unsalted butter, 10 ounces of mini marshmallows, salt, and 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter over low heat. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are almost completely melted, leaving a few partially intact for texture.
- Remove the pan from heat and add the cereal and pretzel mix to the marshmallow mixture, stirring until mostly combined. Next, add 5 ounces of mini marshmallows and distribute them through the mixture with a few stirs.
- Drop spoonfuls of 8 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter over the top of the mixture. Stir lightly to create streaks and pools of peanut butter without fully incorporating it.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Use a piece of wax paper or your hands, coated with cooking spray or oil, to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Avoid compressing it into a solid mass for a soft texture.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top while the mixture is warm, allowing them to slightly melt and adhere. Lightly press them into the top before they melt completely to ensure they stay embedded.
- Let the mixture cool completely before using the parchment paper to lift it out of the pan for easy cutting into bars. Store in an airtight container, optionally wrapping bars individually for convenience.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 (10-ounce) bag mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- ins:
- 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup broken thin pretzel sticks
- ins:
- 5 ounces mini marshmallows
- 8 teaspoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
FAQ
- What type of marshmallows should I use for the best Rice Krispies Treats?
- It’s crucial to use fresh marshmallows to ensure they melt properly. Stale marshmallows do not melt well and will affect the texture of your treats. Mini marshmallows are preferred as they melt faster, reducing the chance of overcooking.
- What kind of pretzels are best for this recipe?
- Thin pretzel sticks are ideal as they are easy to break into small pieces, allowing for a consistent texture throughout the treats. This ensures a balanced mix and a pleasant crunch without large, uneven chunks.
- How can I prevent Rice Krispies Treats from sticking to the pan?
- Lining the pan with parchment paper and spraying it lightly with oil makes removing the treats easy. Alternatively, you can spray or butter the pan before adding the mixture to make cutting directly in the pan simple.
- How do I ensure my Rice Krispies Treats stay soft and don’t harden?
- Use fresh marshmallows and melt them over low heat to avoid overcooking. Gently press the mixture into the pan without compacting it too tightly, and use a higher ratio of marshmallow to cereal for a softer texture.
- What is the best way to store Rice Krispies Treats to keep them fresh?
- Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer freshness, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap before placing them in the container. This method keeps them ready for easy transport or sharing and maintains their soft texture for 3-5 days.
Tips
- Use Fresh Mini Marshmallows: Ensure your marshmallows are fresh for optimal melting and avoid using stale ones, which can result in a stiff and sticky mixture. Mini marshmallows melt faster, reducing the risk of overcooking and producing a softer treat.
- Break Pretzel Sticks for Even Texture: Use thin pretzel sticks, breaking them into uniform pieces for an even distribution within the mixture. This helps achieve a consistent texture throughout the treats.
- Incorporate Peanut Butter Twice: Add peanut butter to both the marshmallow mixture and in spoonfuls over the top for enhanced flavor. This technique creates pockets of peanut butter throughout, boosting the overall taste.
- Prevent Sticking with Parchment and Spray: Line your pan with parchment paper and apply a light spray of oil to easily remove the treats for cutting. Additionally, use sprayed wax paper or a spatula to press the mixture into the pan without it sticking to your hands.
Equipment
- Heavy-weight Pan – A quality, heavy-weight pan is essential for melting the marshmallow and peanut butter mixture evenly.
- 9″ Square Pan – If you don’t already have a pan of this size, you might need to get one for this specific recipe.
- Parchment Paper – Essential for lining the pan to prevent sticking and to make it easy to remove the treats.
- Binder Clips – Useful for holding the parchment paper in place while pressing the mixture into the pan.
- Cooking Spray – To prevent sticking, both for the pan and when pressing the mixture into it.
