Salted Caramel Apple Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Introduction
Salted Caramel Apple Rice Krispie Treats combine the nostalgic crunch of classic Rice Krispies with the rich flavors of salted caramel and tart dried apples. These bars are a delightful twist on a favorite treat, perfect for autumn snacking or anytime you want a sweet, chewy bite with a hint of salt.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 bag (10-ounce) mini marshmallows
- 1 box (12-ounce) Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 bag (3-4 ounces) dried apples, no added sugar
- 1 bag (12-ounce) regular marshmallows
Instructions
- Step 1: Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper and preheat your broiler.
- Step 2: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the dark brown sugar and apple cider, stirring constantly. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until it turns dark and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt, then reduce the heat to low.
- Step 3: Add the mini marshmallows to the pot and stir until fully melted, about 5 minutes. Remove the pot from heat.
- Step 4: Stir in the Rice Krispies cereal and dried apples, mixing until everything is well combined.
- Step 5: Spread the regular marshmallows on a baking sheet and place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until toasted. Watch carefully to prevent burning, as marshmallows toast quickly.
- Step 6: Mix the toasted marshmallows into the cereal mixture immediately. Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared pan. Spread evenly and press down firmly to pack tightly. Sprinkle flaky salt on top.
- Step 7: Let the mixture set and cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Once firm, cut into bars and serve.
Tips & Variations
- For extra caramel flavor, use caramel sauce as a drizzle on top before cutting into bars.
- Substitute dried apples with dried cranberries or chopped nuts for a different texture and taste.
- Use regular butter instead of salted butter, but adjust the salt amount accordingly.
Storage
Store these treats at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To keep them chewy, avoid refrigeration which can dry them out. If you want to re-soften the treats, warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh apples instead of dried?
Fresh apples would add too much moisture and make the treats soggy, so dried apples are best to maintain the chewy texture.
What can I do if my marshmallows burn under the broiler?
Marshmallows toast very quickly under the broiler, so keep a close eye on them. If they burn, discard and try again with a shorter broiling time or hold the pan slightly further from the heat.
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Salted Caramel Apple Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 16 bars 1x
Description
These Salted Caramel Apple Rice Krispie Treats combine the chewy texture of classic Rice Krispie treats with a rich salted caramel apple twist. Made with a buttery brown sugar caramel, mini marshmallows, dried apples, and toasted regular marshmallows, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and fruity flavors for a delightful snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Caramel Sauce
- 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 teaspoon salt
Marshmallow Mixture
- 1 bag (10-ounce) mini marshmallows
- 1 bag (12-ounce) regular marshmallows
Other Ingredients
- 1 box (12-ounce) Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 bag (3-4 ounces) dried apples, no added sugar
Instructions
- Prepare pan and broiler: Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup. Preheat the broiler in your oven to toast the marshmallows later.
- Make the caramel base: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the dark brown sugar, stirring until combined. Pour in the apple cider and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture becomes dark and bubbly. Stir in the salt to balance the sweetness. Reduce heat to low.
- Melt mini marshmallows: Add the mini marshmallows to the pot with the caramel mixture and stir continuously until fully melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove the pot from heat.
- Combine cereal and dried apples: Immediately mix in the Rice Krispies cereal and dried apples, folding gently to coat all pieces evenly with the caramel marshmallow mixture.
- Toast regular marshmallows: Spread the regular marshmallows on a baking sheet and place under the preheated broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning, as marshmallows can toast very quickly. The goal is to achieve a golden toasted exterior.
- Incorporate toasted marshmallows: Remove the toasted marshmallows from the oven and mix them into the cereal mixture right away to capture the gooey texture evenly throughout the treats.
- Pack and set treats: Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared pan, spreading it evenly and pressing tightly to compact the treats. Sprinkle flaky salt on top to enhance the salted caramel flavor.
- Cool and serve: Allow the treats to cool and set for 30 minutes to an hour at room temperature. Once firm, cut into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Be cautious when broiling the marshmallows as they can burn very quickly; keep a close eye while toasting.
- Using salted butter balances the sweet flavors, but you can adjust the salt amount according to your preference.
- Dried apples add a chewy texture and natural sweetness without extra sugar.
- Pressing the mixture firmly in the pan helps the treats hold their shape better when cut.
- For a more intense apple flavor, consider lightly soaking the dried apples in apple cider before mixing in.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Salted Caramel, Rice Krispie Treats, Apple, Marshmallows, Snack, Dessert, Caramel Apple, Fall Recipe
