Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 4 cups mini marshmallows (about 10 ounces)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (half a stick)
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
If you want to swap things up, you can use light coconut flakes for a bit more texture or even try unsweetened shredded coconut if you want to cut down on sweetness. For a dairy-free option, coconut oil works well instead of butter, but it’ll add a bit more coconut flavor, which I personally love but might be stronger for some. Also, feel free to toss in a handful of chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by lightly greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper. This makes it easier to remove the treats later.
- In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter completely. Once melted, add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until the marshmallows are fully melted and smooth. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Be patient and keep your heat low to avoid burning.
- Remove the pot from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Immediately add the Rice Krispies cereal and shredded coconut to the melted marshmallow mixture. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to gently fold everything together. The key is to mix quickly but gently so you don’t crush the cereal too much—a lesson I learned the hard way when I was trying to multitask with my toddler climbing on my leg.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan. Using a buttered spatula or wax paper, press the mixture evenly and firmly into the pan. Pressing firmly helps the treats stick together and makes cutting easier later.
- Let the treats cool completely at room temperature, which usually takes about 1 hour. If you’re impatient like me, popping the pan in the fridge for 30 minutes speeds this up, but I always prefer room temp for that perfect chewy texture.
- Once set, cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Coconut Rice Krispy Treats, recipe, cooking, food
