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Home » Cookies-Bars

Published: Aug 19, 2013 · Updated: Apr 8, 2021 by Carole Jones · 29 Comments

Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats

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It’s the most magical time of the year here in the Jones household.  I dropped my kids off this morning for their first day of school.  I tried my hardest to look sad and forlorn even though I was giddy with relief from my nose to my toes.
 
As a mom of six children, I can’t help but feel that the classic Christmas carol “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams was really destined to be played at the end of August instead of December.  This is the season of joy, peace and love, and I can’t believe we don’t deck our halls for this momentous holiday.
Salted Caramel Rice Crispy Treats

Like all good holidays, this back to school season brings with it the opportunity to entertain from the heart of my home, the kitchen.  No, I’m not throwing parties for my girlfriends while the kids are gone for the day, although I just might give that a go.  This time of year means opening my home to the endless supply of friends that seem to pour in the front door when my kids come home from school.  I am not complaining.  I honestly love it!

You see, one of my favorite roles as a mom is playing host to the friends my six kids bring home.  I adore getting to know these kids who play such a vital role in the life of my children.  I want them in my home and I want them to feel at home here.  I’m not trying to be the “cool” mom, just the one whose door is always open and whose kitchen is stocked with great food to keep them coming back.

Once kids hit those teenage years, the amount and variety of food found in your kitchen is directly related to the amount of time they spend in your home versus the home of someone else.  I learned this priceless lesson from a wonderful friend when I was just a young mom.  She always had an endless supply of ice cream treats in the freezer and containers of homemade baked goods on the counter.  She wanted her kids and their friends in her kitchen eating, hanging out and making a ruckus.   She wanted those friends to be a part of her life, as well as the lives of her children.  I made the decision long ago to follow in her wise footsteps.

The food blogger in me is always on the hunt for new delicious recipes to keep those friends hanging out in my kitchen to enjoy a treat or two.  They all definitely have their favorites that must be worked into the rotation or I will hear about it, however.  Some of the no-fail recipes are No Bake Chewy Granola Bars, Monster M&M Cookies, DIY Buttered Microwave Popcorn, and Cheesy Puff Crackers.

Salted Caramel Rice Crispy Treats
So for today, this extra special “You Survived the First Day of School” treat will be waiting on the kitchen counter for my kids and all their friends.  It will be the perfect treat to get them sitting around the kitchen island and opening up about the day’s news and gossip.  Plus, if you start off the school season with a treat like this, all those friends will put your house at the top of their list of where they want to  hang out.
 
These bars are some gooey, jacked-up Rice Krispy Treats!  Caramel inside and out, plus that sprinkle of sea salt over the top hits that perfect salty and sweet note.  If you really want to go the extra mile, melt a bit of chocolate in the microwave to drizzle on top.  That addition was really just for me, because if I’m going to have caramel, I’m going to have to have some chocolate to go with it!  (Cue your favorite “If You Give a Mouse….” book).
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Salted Caramel Rice Crispy Treats

Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats

5 from 1 reviews

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Ingredients

Scale

Caramel:

1 bag of caramels, unwrapped

14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 C butter

Bars:

1/4 C butter

11 ounce bag mini marshmallows

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp sea salt flakes

8 C crispy rice cereal

chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1.  In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt all the caramel ingredients together until smooth.  Remove from heat.
2.  In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat, add the marshmallows and stir until almost melted.   Add vanilla, sea salt and about half of the caramel mixture and stir well.  Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal until evenly coated.
3.  Pour into a greased 9×13 inch pan and press down firmly with damp hands.  Spread the remaining caramel over the top of the bars.  Sprinkle an additional 2 tsp of sea salt flakes over the top and allow to cool before cutting into bars.  If you would like to drizzle chocolate over the top, just melt some chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle all over!

  • Author: Carole

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 227
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 243mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thecarolejones on Instagram and hashtag it #mykitchenescapades

 

This post is part of BlogHer’s Kitchen Entertaining editorial series, made possible by KitchenAid.

Categories: Cookies-Bars Tags: Caramel

Filed Under: Cookies-Bars
29 Comments

About Carole Jones

Carole Jones is an Arizona-based cookbook author & food blogger. She's authored The 30 Minute Cooking From Frozen Cookbook and the self-published Take 5: Chicken e-cookbook. For the past 15 years, Carole has shared her culinary adventures cooking and baking for her six brutally honest children here on My Kitchen Escapades. Hot, crusty bread is Carole's love language, but her two adorable grandchildren are a close second. Yes, second. Don't judge.

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Comments

  1. Bake-A-Holic says

    August 28, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    Oh yum! I will be making these, but probably using my favorite salted caramel from Trader Joe’s. For some reason I’ve never liked to unwrap all those caramels and make my own.

    Love the idea.

    Reply
  2. The Red Headed Mama says

    September 01, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Sugar, water, whipping cream, vanilla, salt = AMAZING homemade caramel. YUM YUM Can’t wait to try these!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    January 18, 2014 at 9:03 am

    I just made this recipe. I am curious how much exactly “1 bag of caramels, unwrapped” is, please. I used an 11 ounce bag. When I poured half of the caramel mixture over the treats, the caramel mixture barely covered the treats. Otherwise, I am excited to taste the treats; thanks for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
  4. Mike I says

    October 08, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    Tried this recipe and it came out great!! The only thing I did was cut the salt portions in half…I had no complaints! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  5. Mike I says

    October 08, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    oh yeah…i used a bag and a half of caramel!! Gave a nice layer of caramel!

    Reply
    • Carole says

      October 09, 2014 at 5:33 am

      So glad they turned out well for you Mike!

      Reply
  6. Karen says

    February 22, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    I just made these…YUM! Thanks for sharing the recipe

    Reply
    • Carole says

      February 22, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      You are very welcome Karen! Glad you liked them

      Reply
  7. Kelli says

    April 14, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Great advice about how to get the kids to hang out at your place. My husband and I agree, that’s where we want our kids and their friends. So food is the key? We were forgetting that, but they are still young so we have time. We had the games and other fun activities, in fact it was working. But now that I am going to start having awesome snacks (besides carrots and melon) our kid’s friends may never leave! 🙂 Well, the more the merrier I say.

    Reply
    • Carole says

      April 14, 2015 at 3:17 pm

      Glad I could lend a bit of advice Kelli! Thanks for your great comment

      Reply
  8. Lindsay says

    April 16, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    How does the caramel hold up on the tops of these? I’m wanting to make some for an event tomorrow night, but I’m worried that the caramel might soak or settle into the treats if I make them too far in advance!

    Reply
    • Carole says

      April 16, 2015 at 9:37 pm

      Lindsay – it is firm enough that you won’t have to worry about that! -Carole

      Reply
  9. Teri says

    July 26, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    Made this recipe this evening and oh my goodness they are sinfully delicious! I adore caramel and these were not a let down. I did use 1 1/2 bags of caramel instead of just one bag. Husband and grandson raved about them. I am sure they will not last long. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    Reply
    • Carole says

      July 26, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much Teri! Look around and I know you can find another great recipe to give a try as well – Carole

      Reply
  10. Sherry says

    December 12, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    How many grams or cups of caramels should I use

    Reply
    • Carole says

      December 12, 2015 at 3:31 pm

      It was an 11 ounce bag

      Reply
  11. betty Stazenski says

    March 16, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    I have never been a fan of Caramel–but it seems that all of a sudden I have become obsessed with salted caramel. These sound amazing. Thank you for this recipe.

    Reply
    • Carole says

      March 16, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      I have a similar relationship with caramel Betty 🙂

      Reply
  12. Bev Stone says

    December 17, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    Fantastic!!!!!
    Made these for Christmas last year and will be doubling this year. (and maybe more)






    Reply
    • Carole says

      December 18, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      Glad to hear it Bev! It is that salted caramel topping that gets me 🙂

      Reply

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