Crispy Rice Treats

Yield: 12 crispy rice treats | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes

The Kellogg Company first marketed Rice Krispies as a breakfast cereal in 1928 and added melted marshmallows to create Rice Krispies Treats in 1933. The snack version really took off after Alex Doumak came up with a way to speed up and standardize the marshmallow production process in 1948. Kellogg started investing in TV advertising in the 1950s, going so far as sponsoring television shows for children and adults until the FCC ruled against it in 1969. Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, these soft yet crispy treats were household staples.

INGREDIENTS

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 (10-ounce) bags mini marshmallows

½ teaspoon kosher salt (optional)

6 cups crispy rice cereal

DIRECTIONS

1. Line a 9 × 9-inch baking dish with aluminum foil. Coat the foil with cooking spray.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add 6 cups of the mini marshmallows and the salt (if using). Stir continuously until marshmallows have melted.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the crispy rice cereal. Stir until just barely coated in the marshmallow mixture. Stir in the remaining mini marshmallows.
4. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and press evenly into the pan.
5. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve.