Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats – You ever have one of those days when you just need something sweet? That’s where these Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats come in. They’ve got that perfect balance of gooey marshmallows, crispy rice cereal, and a creamy dulce de leche layer that’ll make you wonder why you haven’t been making them all along. And to top it off? A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked.
The first time I made these was on a total whim. I wanted to make something fun for family movie night, but the usual Rice Krispie treats felt a little…boring. So, I decided to mix it up with some dulce de leche I had in the pantry. Let me tell you, it was a game-changer. My husband, who’s usually not big on sweets, couldn’t stop sneaking pieces. And my kid? Let’s just say they didn’t even make it to the end of the movie. Sometimes the best recipes come out of those last-minute ideas, don’t they?
What makes this Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats truly special?
These treats are more than just sweet—they’re a whole experience. The marshmallows give you that classic, nostalgic flavor, but the dulce de leche adds this creamy, dreamy layer that feels almost indulgent. It’s like comfort food with a twist. And that cinnamon sugar on top? Just the right amount of warmth to make each bite a little cozier. You’re going to love how they hit that perfect spot between sweet and satisfying, without being over the top. Whether it’s for a party or just a Tuesday, these treats will bring a little extra joy into your day. Honestly, you deserve it.
What You Need To Make This Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats Recipe?
Butter: Okay, let’s talk about the butter. It’s not just for greasing the dish—it’s what gives these treats that deep, almost nutty flavor. You’ll brown it just a bit, and trust me, those little brown specks are what take these bars from good to wow.
Vanilla Extract: You might think, “It’s just vanilla,” but that teaspoon of vanilla does wonders. It brings warmth to the whole treat and makes everything taste a little cozier. Don’t skip it!
Mini Marshmallows: We’re using 12 cups of mini marshmallows, and yes, that might seem like a lot—but it’s totally worth it. They melt down to make that gooey, sticky base, and the extra marshmallows mixed in at the end? Little pockets of heaven, I swear.
Rice Krispies Cereal: The crunch here is key! You need something to balance out all that marshmallow-y goodness, and Rice Krispies are perfect for that. Just make sure you’re mixing quickly so everything gets coated while it’s still warm.
Dulce de Leche: This is where things get interesting! Dulce de leche brings this rich, creamy, caramel-like layer that makes these treats feel extra indulgent. If you haven’t tried adding it to Rice Krispie treats before, prepare to have your mind blown.
Cinnamon and Sugar: That cinnamon-sugar sprinkle at the end? It’s a little detail that makes a huge difference. It adds just a hint of warmth and spice that makes you go, “Wait, what is that? It’s amazing!” You’ll never want to make plain Rice Krispies again after this.
Steps To Make Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats:
Start by greasing your baking dish. Get a 9×13-inch dish and give it a good coating with butter or cooking spray—whatever you’ve got. Set it aside for later. Trust me, you don’t want to be dealing with sticky marshmallow in an ungreased pan!
Melt the butter. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Keep stirring it, and watch for those little brown specks to start forming. That’s when you know it’s ready—brown butter is where the magic happens!
Lower the heat. Once the butter’s browned, turn the heat down to its lowest setting. Stir in the salt, vanilla, and 10 cups of the mini marshmallows. Keep stirring until the marshmallows melt completely and everything is smooth and gooey. Then, take it off the heat.
Mix with the cereal. In a big bowl, pour your Rice Krispies cereal. Now, pour that melty marshmallow mixture right over the top. Grab a spatula (make sure it’s greased or buttered so nothing sticks) and start mixing it all together until the cereal is fully coated. Now, toss in the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows for some extra texture.
Layer it up. Quickly press half of the mixture into an even layer at the bottom of your greased baking dish. Don’t press too hard—you want it firm but not squished.
Add the dulce de leche. Open up that can of dulce de leche and spoon it over the cereal layer. Spread it all the way to the edges. This is where things get really exciting!
Top it off. Now, spoon the rest of the cereal mixture on top and gently press it into an even layer. Make sure everything’s packed in nicely.
Finish with cinnamon sugar. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle that over the top of the treats—it adds such a delicious little extra flavor kick.
Let them cool. Give the treats about 20-30 minutes to cool down completely before slicing them into squares. Trust me, it’s worth the wait. Then dig in and enjoy!
Tip:
Here’s a little trick to make your Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats even better: let them cool completely before you slice them. I know, it’s tempting to dive right in when they’re still warm, but trust me, patience is key here! Letting them set gives the dulce de leche time to firm up and creates those beautiful, clean layers when you cut into them. Also, when pressing the layers into the dish, use lightly greased hands or a spatula. This makes it so much easier and keeps everything from sticking to you (or the utensil). And a bonus tip? If you want an extra caramel boost, drizzle a little more dulce de leche on top before serving. It’ll look amazing and taste even better. These little tricks will take your treats from “yum” to “wow!”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! These treats hold up really well for a few days, so they’re perfect for making ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for about 3 days. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before packing them away—nobody wants sticky treats, right?
What if I don’t have dulce de leche?
Don’t stress! If you can’t find dulce de leche, you can totally use caramel sauce instead. It’s not as thick and rich, but it still gives you that sweet, gooey layer we all love. Just be careful not to go overboard—caramel can be a bit runnier, so use it sparingly!
Can I throw in extra ingredients?
Go for it! This recipe is super versatile. You could mix in some chocolate chips, drizzle melted chocolate over the top, or even toss in some chopped nuts if you want a little crunch. Make it your own and have fun with it!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Sweet Dulce de Leche Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 12 c mini marshmallows set aside 2 c for later
- 8 c Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 13.4 ounces can dulce de leche
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
Instructions
- Start by thoroughly greasing a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray, and set it aside. Trust me, you don’t want sticky treats later!
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat, stirring often. Keep going until you see those little brown specks start to form—this is when the butter is perfectly browned and full of flavor.
- Once the butter is browned, lower the heat to its lowest setting. Stir in the salt, vanilla, and 10 cups of the mini marshmallows. Mix until it’s all melted and smooth, then take the pot off the heat.
- Grab a large bowl and add the Rice Krispies cereal to it. Now, pour the marshmallow mixture over it and stir everything together with a greased spatula until it’s evenly mixed. Toss in the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows for that extra gooey texture.
- Working quickly, press half of the mixture into an even layer in your greased baking dish. Don’t press too hard, just enough to make it stick together.
- Now, open up the can of dulce de leche and spoon it over the cereal layer. Spread it all the way to the edges so every bite gets some of that creamy goodness.
- Spoon the remaining cereal mixture on top and gently press it down into an even layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and sugar, giving it a quick stir to mix everything together. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the treats for a sweet, warm finish.
- Let the treats cool completely—about 20-30 minutes—before slicing them into squares. Then enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
