Ingredients:
- 4 cups / 100 g Crisp Rice Cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies or puffed rice)
- 1/2 cup / 60 g Optional Mix-ins (e.g., chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts)
- 4 tablespoons / 56 g Butter or Coconut Oil (for binding/flavor)
- 10 oz / 280 g Marshmallows (Mini or large)
- Pinch of Salt (to balance sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon / 5 ml Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
- Line the 9x13 inch pan completely with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to facilitate easy removal.
- In the large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter (or oil). Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir continuously until about 90% melted and smooth. Remove immediately from the heat.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt into the melted binder mixture.
- Pour the dry cereal base (and optional mix-ins) into the warm binder mixture. Fold gently but swiftly using the spatula until the cereal is evenly coated. Avoid overmixing.
- Transfer the mixture immediately to the prepared pan. Lightly wet your hands or use a second piece of parchment paper to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Do not over-compress, as this can make the bars too hard.
- Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature for 1 hour, then transfer to the refrigerator for at least 1 hour until fully set.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Using a large, sharp knife, cut into 12 even bars.