Quarantine 2020 has now lasted longer than anyone expected.  It’s hard to know what’s open, what’s closed, what’s allowed, and what even makes sense anymore.  Pandemic fatigue seems to have overtaken much common sense in the world.  It is still a little scary to venture out for us here at Just Be Slower.  But I digress and am here today with a good old review on some quarantine cooking, Alton Brown’s Rice Krispy Treats.  Let’s get to it!

Cooking in quarantine has certainly kept a lot of us busy, and celebrity chefs are no exception.  We were so thankful Alton Brown started posting some basic (basically delicious that is) recipe videos on his YouTube channel.  He called his series Pantry Raid consisting of stellar food prep of very normal items.  Rice Krispy Treats included.

Ready To Make Some Rice Krispy Treats

So it was that one night (last night) we were raiding our own pantry with a hankering for dessert and turned to this timeless treat.  It is perfect to whip up quickly, and hits that sweet tooth in just the right spot.  It’s not too heavy on a warm summer day and doesn’t heat up the whole house using the oven.

If you’re asking yourself, what’s the big deal about a celebrity chef making Rice Krispy Treats?  You’re being logical.  These are a super simple treat even kids can make.  The thing is though, Alton has such a way with treating even the most normal recipes and ingredients in new ways, it changes the game.  His Rice Krispy Treats are no exception.

Alton Brown’s Rice Krispy Treats

• 4 cups Rice Krispy Cereal
• 10 ounces mini marshmallows, 1/4 cup reserved
• 4 tablespoons Kerrygold butter
• pinch of salt

Prepare a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray.  In a large skillet, wok, or pot, add all the cereal.  Turn heat to medium and toss cereal for a few minutes until toasted.  Here we used the Spring Mix of the cereal that has some fun colors, but you can tell it’s toasted when the lighter pieces turn a golden brown.  Remove cereal from pan to a large mixing bowl.

Add butter to the pan.  Melt and continue cooking to achieve a browned butter.  Add a pinch of salt.  Pour in all marshmallows (except the 1/4 cup you saved) and toss in the butter to coat.  Using quality butter like Kerrygold and developing it into browned butter really deepens the flavor.  We found this step to be the key difference in Alton’s approach.  The brown butter elevates the taste to that of a refined bakery.

Rice Krispy Treats … refined?  You better believe it, and this step is why!  See the brown melty gooeyness on those marshmallows?  Yum!  But we’re not done yet…

Continue stirring until marshmallows are all melted.  Turn the heat off on the stove.  Add the toasted cereal and the reserved marshmallows back to the pan.

I like seeing whole chunks of marshmallow in my completed Rice Krispy Treats, which is why we add that reserved scoop with the cereal.  That part is totally optional, so do what makes your treats yummiest for you!

Stir quickly to toss all cereal in the marshmallow mixture before it cools.

Scoop out all contents from the pan into the prepared dish.  Spread evenly around the dish and allow to set for about an hour at room temperature.  Cut into desired shapes.  Pro tip: use a pizza cutter!!!

I like to cut into skinny rectangles, it makes it easier for the little ones’ hands and mouths to handle.  The smaller pieces also make it not seem too indulgent for us bigger people.

 

The Recipe

• 4 cups Rice Krispy Cereal
• 10 ounces mini marshmallows, 1/4 cup reserved
• 4 tablespoons Kerrygold butter
• pinch of salt

Prepare a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray.  In a large skillet, wok, or pot, add all the cereal.  Turn heat to medium and toss cereal for a few minutes until toasted.  Remove cereal from pan to a large mixing bowl.  Add butter to the pan.  Melt and continue cooking to achieve a browned butter.  Add a pinch of salt.  Pour in all marshmallows (except the 1/4 cup you saved) and toss in the butter to coat.  Continue stirring until marshmallows melted.  Turn the heat off on the stove.  Add the toasted cereal and the reserved marshmallows back to the pan.  Stir quickly to toss all cereal in the marshmallow mixture before it cools.  Scoop out all contents from the pan into the prepared dish.  Spread evenly around the dish and allow to set for about an hour at room temperature.  Cut into desired shapes and enjoy!

Alton Brown added a couple specific steps to these timeless treats, but it does not take away from the ease of preparation at all!  The difference is clear as soon as you take your first bite.  We are forever converted to Alton’s method for all future Rice Krispies treats.  And we sure do love these cereal treats.  Check out our other posts for fun & fruity Easter Rice Krispies Treats and chocolatey S’mores Rice Krispies Treats.

The new celebrity chef treatment for these treats has us inspired even more.  If I can find the Red White & Blue special edition of this cereal, I may just have to make some for July 4th celebration this weekend.

What is your favorite cereal treat?  What treats do you enjoy for the 4th?  We’d love to know!