Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Hello hello!! It has been farrrr too long since I have posted a new recipe but here we finally are! Between moving into our new house this spring, finishing up on several house projects that we didn’t get done before move in, and spending much needed time with friends and family our summer has been jam packed. August specifically has been a marathon month, a fun one at that! I was able to finally create and shoot some new recipes for you guys that I am beyond excited to share. So here we go! First up- desserts on the menu!
To be completely honest with you, I’ve had an internal struggle developing and posting these types of recipes for this reason- As a Registered Dietitian I felt a need to develop recipes that incorporate nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, nutrient balance, fiber, etc. Let’s just say nobody would ever consider these Rice Krispies a health food. But the reality of it is, I encourage my clients to be able to enjoy all foods and find a healthy relationship with food and body to not only find allowance, but enjoyment of things like dessert. And I enjoy dessert! Especially any kind that includes salted caramel. Guilt is not an ingredient in these Salted Caramel Rice Krispies, but if you can’t help but feel bad about enjoying sweets I would LOVE to chat!
Kitchen Tip!
This was a hard recipe to come up with some cooking tips for, so I will just let you know a few things that I found helpful while making this recipe (based on my own mistakes while recipe testing). First of all, don’t burn your sugar! Make sure you are patient while the sugar melts, and add the butter the second it is a golden brown liquid without any sugar lumps. Secondly, use a wooden spoon when stirring the sugar to make the salted caramel sauce. This ensures heat doesn’t transfer to your hands while sitting and stirring for a long while. Lastly, don’t try to save a dish by stirring the Rice Krispies into the saucepan, it will be very hard to stir and make a HUGE mess in your kitchen! I found using my largest bowl worked very well to prevent overflow. Plus this just gives you more surface area to lick clean while the Rice Krispy treats are setting up.
Nutrition Tip!
I know, I know- you’re probably thinking what nutrition tip could she possibly come up with for this recipe? Well here is my tip, make these Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats and enjoy with friends, family, your boo, coworkers, or roommates! How is this a health tip you may be wondering? Because social connectedness is a strong health indicator! If you have ever intentionally skipped out on a social setting due to shame or guilt about your body, or fear of ‘letting yourself go’ around food items that you have been working to cut out and may be present at the event, please remember socialization may be beneficial to your health! Yes, even if triggering foods are present and you enjoy them. If somebody values you less because of how your body looks or what you choose to eat, please find new people to spend time with that will appreciate your presence regardless of what your body looks like. Cultivating social connection is a health promoting behavior. This includes laughing with your friends, celebrating loved ones, or experiencing new cultures on vacation. Staying home because you are ashamed about your body doesn't benefit anyone, ESPECIALLY YOU!!!
Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 oz bag mini marshmallows
- non-stick cooking spray (or butter)
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Measure out 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal into a large mixing bowl. Cut open bag of mini marshmallows and set aside to be able to quickly add to salted caramel immediately after cooking.
- Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray, or lightly rub bottom and sides of pan with butter. Set aside.
- Make the salted caramel sauce by adding 1 cup sugar to a saucepan and heating over medium heat. Stir very frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent burning. The sugar will clump up and then start to turn into a golden liquid. Once it is completely liquid, add 6 Tbsp butter while continuing to stir rapidly. Be careful because it will bubble up rapidly. Once the butter is completely melted and combined with the sugar, slowly pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream while continuing to stir. Let the mixture simmer for about one minute while you stir, and remove from heat once ingredients are well combined. Add 1 tsp kosher salt, stirring again.
- Add mini marshmallows to the saucepan and continue to stir until all the marshmallows have melted entirely into caramel sauce.
- Pour salted caramel marshmallow sauce over the large bowl with Rice Krispies, using a rubber spatula to scrape the saucepan. Fold salted caramel marshmallow sauce into the Rice Krispies until all are well coated.
- Press into the prepared pan and let set up for at least 45 minutes before cutting into squares (you can place them in the refrigerator to speed up this set up time).
- Lick the bowl and spatula clean :)
- Enjoy with friends, family, significant others, colleagues, or roommates!
Notes:
*Salted caramel recipe adapted from Sallys Baking Addiction
