Ever since I was a kid, I have adored Rice Krispies Treats. There was always something so satisfying about the combination of crispy cereal with gooey, chewy marshmallows. In grade school, my mom would make them as an occasional treat, following the directions on the back of the box. One summer during middle school when we went to the beach, my mom surprised us with some “fun” cereals, which we usually were not allowed to eat at home. Among the boxes was Rice Krispies Treats cereal. Possibly one of the most underrated cereals of all-time. Then in high school, they came out with the pre-packaged Rice Krispies Treats, which were not nearly as good as the ones mom whipped up, but they were quick and easy, so I was sold.
Once I started spending a lot of time in my own kitchen, I would make a batch of classic Rice Krispies treats every now and then for get-togethers. Then I discovered the world of amped-up Rice Krispies Treats; versions with peanut butter cups, white chocolate and pretzels came flying out of the kitchen. Suddenly, it seemed I was long overdue for a peanut/caramel/chocolate variation. No more.
I played around with the original recipe, adding caramel sauce, peanuts and chopped Snickers bars to the mix. As if that wasn’t enough, I topped it all off with a chocolate-peanut butter glaze and more chopped peanuts.
The result? Quite possibly the best Rice Krispies Treats to ever come out of my kitchen. They’re insanely gooey with just enough crunch, and packed full of sweet and salty flavors. I really haven’t grown up much since I was first introduced to Rice Krispies Treats; give me one of these babies and you’ll be sure to see some marshmallow and chocolate on my face ;-)
Melt the butter and marshmallows together in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once melted, stir in the caramel sauce and remove from the heat.
Stir in the Rice Krispies until they are evenly coated with the sauce. Working quickly, stir in the peanuts and chopped Snickers bars, mixing as gently as possible.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Use the back of a greased wooden spoon to press down firmly over the surface of the treats to ensure that they are packed down tightly.
Melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely smooth and melted. Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the Rice Krispies treats and spread into an even layer with a spatula.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until set. Cut into bars and serve. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator (room temperature for softer, more gooey bars; refrigerator for firmer bars).
Hello! They stay nice and fresh for about 2 days, and I would say they start to get a bit drier after that, but are still okay for 4 or 5 days (although they never last that long!).
Hi Nikki, I’m not sure how high your pans are; I would use this site to find the volume difference, then scale by that amount: http://www.joyofbaking.com/PanSizes.html
Hi Terri, I have never frozen Rice Krispie treats, so I really have no idea how well they would thaw. That said, these treats really do keep for some time; you could make them quite a few days before hand. Store them in the refrigerator, then just let them come to room temperature before serving.
Hi Mareeha, I’m not sure how using marshmallow creme would work, I’ve never tried it in place of actual marshmallows. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!
These are a new party favorite. I have served them several times since April and they blow our guests away. The funny thing is that Germans typically tell me that American desserts are too sweet, but somehow, these treats have totally won them over, adults and kids. Now I get requests for them AND the recipe. Thanks, Michelle, for yet another great recipe. Everything I have made from your site so far ends up a true winner., and your recipes are so easy to make! I am really glad I found your site last year.
Wow! I’m so impressed with how lovely these look. How do you cut them so that the each cut is clean and sharp? I never have any luck with that part. Especially if I put chocolate on top – it always cracks and breaks when I cut the squares. :( Any suggestions? Thank yoooou!
Hi Sarah, Depending on what it is, almost all of the bars I make, I cut using a large pizza wheel. It cuts straight, clean lines. Sometimes I’ll use a large, sharp knife.
I just made these and they are great! I doubled the recipe and the fun size snicker’s bag had 19 snickers so I just decided it was best to use them all :)
I have a lunch delivery service and feature assorted cookies, bars and treats. My customers loved these!!! I made them with Peanut Butter Snickers. They were gone in a matter of hours!
Made these today; along with the salted carmel sauce….and after one minor glitch they were done and tasted fantastic! You were right when you mentioned watching that carmel sauce carefully as it cooked. I burned my first batch in a matter of seconds and it tasted like toasted tree bark and burnt coffee….terrible! Fortunately I didn’t give up and the second batch was divine!!!!! Like warm werthers heaven! So delicious I could eat it with a spoon by itself.
I was in such a pinch. I had most stuff to make my own sauce. I got so irritated. I just went and bought the darn sauce, lol. Made and EVERYONE LOVED THEM. thank you
HELP HELP! I bought all the stuff to make today for a crowd. I didn’t buy caramel sauce because I thought I had it, well turns out it was chocolate fudge, darn it. What can I use in place of caramel or how do I make it. I have those little caramel squares, actually the nibbles. Please help ASAP :-)
Hi Mar, In the ingredient list, I actually provide a link to my homemade caramel sauce. You can also make a sauce from caramel candies (I’ve never used nibbles, though) and heavy cream.
Ah love this! I’m a sucker for anything with peanut butter but throw in rice krispy treats and I’m gone! Love the chunks of peanuts in there too – Beautiful pictures!
I love Rice Krispies treats too! The cereal was awesome. I wish they still made it. I’ve been on a cereal kick lately and could use a box of it in my pantry. It’s so fun to add different things to Rice Krispies treats. These look and sound awesome and so decadent.
Yessss, Rice Krispies Treats cereal was pretty much just a sugar party for your mouth and it was so good! I love the idea of snickers rice krispies treats! So creative, but it doesn’t seem too much harder to make than the plain ones :)
your killing me. I am on a diet and Snickers are my favorite candy bar. Must try these and I’ll be thinking of you when I have to walk an extra few miles this week. Thanks :)
I literally think you read my mind. I was just thinking last night that I was craving a rif on a rice crispy treat, something trashy and filled with all good things. I perused the internet a bit and when you’re homepage loaded, I was met with these treasures. OMG, fantastic. I LOVE them!!! Thanks for using your culinary ESP to satisfy my craving : )
Oh my goodness! I’m an elementary school teacher and always looking for new treats to make for special times in my classroom… my kids would go crazy for these! That may or may not be a good thing :) but I think I’ll have to try them just the same!
Ohhhhh what are you doing to me?! My little boys will be over the moon about these!! I LOVE Rice Krispies Treats!!! Did you know that I saw a giant sheet of the pre-packaged (blech) Rice Krispies Treats in the gas station; a huge stack of them, each larger than a 9 X 13 pan and they were like $20 each! It totally blew my mind.
I cannot wait to try these on a friend of mine, he is a serious snickers hater but an RKT fan, should be interesting to see what his opinion is. As for myself, Im currently on a January fat fight so these photos are killing me, they look ahhhmazing!
We have always been Rice Krispie treats fans, but only the traditional ones. (until now!)) We made them often, as summer treat when our daughter was growing up. This new version is going to be dessert this Sunday when our NE Pats host the AFC Championship here and we host a group of neighbors to watch the game ! Thanks., Michelle. BTW—-the Bruins are back in training camp this week—can the start of the hockey season be far behind? *_*
I love RKTreats!!! I did a big post about them about 2-3 weeks ago about how I think I found my end all-be all recipe. Til I see yours :) Seriously that last shot…that’s my heaven. They look amazing and I love a good old fashioned Snickers bar, too!
Can you freeze these?
Hi Carolyn, I’ve never frozen rice krispie treats; I’m not sure how they would thaw (wondering if they wouldn’t be as ooey-gooey as they would fresh).
Good morning! How long do these keep?
Hello! They stay nice and fresh for about 2 days, and I would say they start to get a bit drier after that, but are still okay for 4 or 5 days (although they never last that long!).
I love this!, Amazing and I love a good oldest fashioned Snickers bar.
Did you use mini marshmallows for this recipe?
I probably did, as I keep them in my pantry, but you could use large ones too.
Hello, I bought all of the things to make this but my 9×12 pan is in use! How much should I use for a 6×9 pan?
Hi Nikki, I’m not sure how high your pans are; I would use this site to find the volume difference, then scale by that amount: http://www.joyofbaking.com/PanSizes.html
Look delicious!! Do they freeze well? Want to make a few weeks before a party.
Hi Terri, I have never frozen Rice Krispie treats, so I really have no idea how well they would thaw. That said, these treats really do keep for some time; you could make them quite a few days before hand. Store them in the refrigerator, then just let them come to room temperature before serving.
Hey Michelle. I used marshmallow creme in bars and the turned out great :)
Hi Michelle. .. can we use marshmallow creme (home made) instead of marshmallows. .. if yes then how much and do we have to melt it with butter ?
Hi Mareeha, I’m not sure how using marshmallow creme would work, I’ve never tried it in place of actual marshmallows. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!
Sure Michelle. .. I’ll let you know :)
These are a new party favorite. I have served them several times since April and they blow our guests away. The funny thing is that Germans typically tell me that American desserts are too sweet, but somehow, these treats have totally won them over, adults and kids. Now I get requests for them AND the recipe. Thanks, Michelle, for yet another great recipe. Everything I have made from your site so far ends up a true winner., and your recipes are so easy to make! I am really glad I found your site last year.
Wow! I’m so impressed with how lovely these look. How do you cut them so that the each cut is clean and sharp? I never have any luck with that part. Especially if I put chocolate on top – it always cracks and breaks when I cut the squares. :( Any suggestions? Thank yoooou!
Hi Sarah, Depending on what it is, almost all of the bars I make, I cut using a large pizza wheel. It cuts straight, clean lines. Sometimes I’ll use a large, sharp knife.
Made these today! Can’t wait to try one!! That time again for stovetop treats.
Made these last night and they’re almost gone- HUGE hit! Im gonna mix it up next time with reese cups. Thanks for sharing :)
These look really good! Wow!
I just made these and they are great! I doubled the recipe and the fun size snicker’s bag had 19 snickers so I just decided it was best to use them all :)
I have a lunch delivery service and feature assorted cookies, bars and treats. My customers loved these!!! I made them with Peanut Butter Snickers. They were gone in a matter of hours!
Made these today; along with the salted carmel sauce….and after one minor glitch they were done and tasted fantastic! You were right when you mentioned watching that carmel sauce carefully as it cooked. I burned my first batch in a matter of seconds and it tasted like toasted tree bark and burnt coffee….terrible! Fortunately I didn’t give up and the second batch was divine!!!!! Like warm werthers heaven! So delicious I could eat it with a spoon by itself.
I was in such a pinch. I had most stuff to make my own sauce. I got so irritated. I just went and bought the darn sauce, lol. Made and EVERYONE LOVED THEM. thank you
HELP HELP! I bought all the stuff to make today for a crowd. I didn’t buy caramel sauce because I thought I had it, well turns out it was chocolate fudge, darn it. What can I use in place of caramel or how do I make it. I have those little caramel squares, actually the nibbles. Please help ASAP :-)
Hi Mar, In the ingredient list, I actually provide a link to my homemade caramel sauce. You can also make a sauce from caramel candies (I’ve never used nibbles, though) and heavy cream.
Ah love this! I’m a sucker for anything with peanut butter but throw in rice krispy treats and I’m gone! Love the chunks of peanuts in there too – Beautiful pictures!
If you like amped up Rice Krispie treats you must try Cookiesandcups.com Nutter Butter RKT. they are ridiculously awesome!!
Snickers is one of my favorite candy and snickers rice krispie treats sounds addictive! Must make!!
Made these today to take to a play rehearsal tonight. I am completely in love with them. Just heavenly little bites of chewy sweetness ♥
OMG!!! I am going to make these for a dinner that I am having for friends tomorrow. I think I will even splurge more and make homemade marshmallows!
These sound fabulous! I have some snickers leftover from Christmas that are screaming to be used! Totally going to have to make these!
I love Rice Krispies treats too! The cereal was awesome. I wish they still made it. I’ve been on a cereal kick lately and could use a box of it in my pantry. It’s so fun to add different things to Rice Krispies treats. These look and sound awesome and so decadent.
I can never resist rice krispie treats, love the snickers twist!
I love jazzed up RK treats! Mmm!
This is very similar to a Snickers Rice Krispy Treat I made! Love the addition of peanut butter!
These look absolutely fantabulous! Will be making these this weekend!
Keep the jazzed up versions of Rice Krispies Treats coming! I love them! These look absolutely delicious.
Yessss, Rice Krispies Treats cereal was pretty much just a sugar party for your mouth and it was so good! I love the idea of snickers rice krispies treats! So creative, but it doesn’t seem too much harder to make than the plain ones :)
All goeey, and perfect! Love the flavor you have in there!
your killing me. I am on a diet and Snickers are my favorite candy bar. Must try these and I’ll be thinking of you when I have to walk an extra few miles this week. Thanks :)
These are so gooey!! Pinned, bookmarked and on the to-make list!
I literally think you read my mind. I was just thinking last night that I was craving a rif on a rice crispy treat, something trashy and filled with all good things. I perused the internet a bit and when you’re homepage loaded, I was met with these treasures. OMG, fantastic. I LOVE them!!! Thanks for using your culinary ESP to satisfy my craving : )
Seriously?! My hubs will FLIP for these!
TO DIE FOR!!!! Those look crazy good!
OMG! These looks so ooey & gooey and delicious! I *must* make these one day soon!
I will ALWAYS love Rice Krispies. It’s so easy to jazz them up and nearly everyone I know just loves them. These look spectacular!
Mmm what a fabulous recipe! Love that chocolate on top!
Oh my, indeed!! This looks like the perfect recipe for a special treat!! Maybe a Valentine treat.
Wow, thanks for giving me a dessert recipe for girls night this Saturday! I think the girls will be blown away with this decadent recipe!! :)
Oh wow, you’ve really outdone yourself with this one girl! That last photo is killing me – I want to reach through the screen and grab a bite :)
Oh my goodness! I’m an elementary school teacher and always looking for new treats to make for special times in my classroom… my kids would go crazy for these! That may or may not be a good thing :) but I think I’ll have to try them just the same!
Ohhhhh what are you doing to me?! My little boys will be over the moon about these!! I LOVE Rice Krispies Treats!!! Did you know that I saw a giant sheet of the pre-packaged (blech) Rice Krispies Treats in the gas station; a huge stack of them, each larger than a 9 X 13 pan and they were like $20 each! It totally blew my mind.
I cannot wait to try these on a friend of mine, he is a serious snickers hater but an RKT fan, should be interesting to see what his opinion is. As for myself, Im currently on a January fat fight so these photos are killing me, they look ahhhmazing!
We have always been Rice Krispie treats fans, but only the traditional ones. (until now!)) We made them often, as summer treat when our daughter was growing up. This new version is going to be dessert this Sunday when our NE Pats host the AFC Championship here and we host a group of neighbors to watch the game ! Thanks., Michelle. BTW—-the Bruins are back in training camp this week—can the start of the hockey season be far behind? *_*
I love RKTreats!!! I did a big post about them about 2-3 weeks ago about how I think I found my end all-be all recipe. Til I see yours :) Seriously that last shot…that’s my heaven. They look amazing and I love a good old fashioned Snickers bar, too!
The pictures make me want to try to make this.
You got me at sweet and salty! Love this, Michelle! :)