Last month I had the opportunity to attend a food blogger conference in Chicago after buying a ticket last-minute from someone who couldn't attend. The ticket came with a hotel stay along with a roommate for the duration. Which was awesome budget-wise, but also a little nerve-wracking given my introverted disposition.
However, after meeting Kimmie of Bake Love Give, any worries quickly melted away. We got along like peanut butter and jelly, and, along with Nicole of Or Whatever You Do (and a fair amount of live-band karaoke), I had an awesome time both in and outside of the conference.
Today is Kimmie's birthday (happy birthday!) and she asked me, along with several other bloggers, to help celebrate her day by sharing a sweet treat. So, in honor of Kimmie's birthday, I made a batch of brown butter crispy rice treats (something we had talked about while in Chicago, and I had vowed to try ASAP).
Long story short, next time you make crispy rice treats, brown your butter! It only takes a couple of extra minutes and it really does take these crunchy bars to a whole new level.
Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treats
makes 12 2-inch bars
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon Bourbon
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 10-ounce package mini marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1. Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking as the butter begins to foam, then turn clear and golden, and then light brown bits start to form on the bottom and the butter gives off a nutty aroma. (I like to gently swirl the pot by hand to help the butter brown evenly.) Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla, Bourbon, and sea salt. (The mixture will foam slightly on the addition of the liquids.) Then stir in the mini marshmallows and continue stirring until completely melted. If the mixture is not hot enough to melt the marshmallows, turn the heat on low and stir until the mixture is smooth.
3. Remove the pot from the stove and stir in the crispy rice cereal. Once evenly coated, quickly spread the mixture into the prepped cake pan, using a spatula to press it evenly into the pan. Let cool completely before cutting into bars with a sharp knife. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
makes 12 2-inch bars
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon Bourbon
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 10-ounce package mini marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1. Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking as the butter begins to foam, then turn clear and golden, and then light brown bits start to form on the bottom and the butter gives off a nutty aroma. (I like to gently swirl the pot by hand to help the butter brown evenly.) Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla, Bourbon, and sea salt. (The mixture will foam slightly on the addition of the liquids.) Then stir in the mini marshmallows and continue stirring until completely melted. If the mixture is not hot enough to melt the marshmallows, turn the heat on low and stir until the mixture is smooth.
3. Remove the pot from the stove and stir in the crispy rice cereal. Once evenly coated, quickly spread the mixture into the prepped cake pan, using a spatula to press it evenly into the pan. Let cool completely before cutting into bars with a sharp knife. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
And here's a word from the birthday girl herself at Bake Love Give and some more delicious celebratory treats:
Big N’ Soft Baked Dark Chocolate Donuts – Cupcake Rehab
Drunken Chocolate Cupcakes – JavaCupcake
Peanut Butter Oreo Truffles – Sarah’s Bake Studio
No-Bake S’mores Cheesecake – The Seaside Baker
Seriously couldn't have thought of a better recipe to celebrate. Thank you so much for joining the fun, I hope you loved the brown butter twist as much as I do!
ReplyDeleteI've never made rice krispy treats this way but I am super stoked to try it out! These look positively wonderful!
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