Chattavore

What I ate, plate by plate.

Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats + Video

With brown butter (and double butter, at that) and salt, these salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats are sure to be the best you’ve ever had! (Scroll down for video!)

a photograph of a Rice Krispies treat plate a plate of Rice Krispies treats in the background

Click here to save this recipe on Pinterest!

The Best Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies treats have always been fine in my book. Not my favorite. Just fine. Just okay. That is, until I tried Smitten Kitchen’s Rice Krispies treats. Salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats. They are sheer perfection. They are my contribution to 90% of potlucks and birthday parties. They are, simply put, the best version of Rice Krispies treats out there, especially zhuzzed up with just a tiny bit more salt than the original recipe. Ah, yes.

What Makes These Rice Krispies Treats So Amazing? 

  1. Double butter. They’re totally healthy. Got it? Butter is health food. The extra butter makes them so rich but also it makes the texture absolutely amazing.
  2. Browning the butter. Shhhhhh. Trust me. This adds a depth of flavor that you won’t even believe, and if you are willing to stand and watch the butter for five minutes so it doesn’t burn, it’s totally easy too.
  3. Salt. Just a little bit. I love a sweet and salty vibe. Did you know that salt intensifies flavors? Don’t leave it out here.
  4. Using a small pan. Usually, this size recipe for RKTs would be made in a 9×13 inch pan. I make them in an 8×8 inch pan so they are double thick. Combined with the double butter, this makes the texture of these RKTs out of this world.

a photograph of a plate of salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats

How Do You Make Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats?

Glad you asked! They’re so easy!

  1. Butter an 8×8-inch square baking pan.
  2. Place one stick (4 ounces or 8 tablespoons) of unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring/swirling frequently, until the butter is golden brown. Don’t turn your back – it will burn in an instant!
  3. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon of table salt, which is much saltier than kosher salt).
  4. Add 10 ounces of mini marshmallows.
  5. Stir the marshmallows until completely melted. I find it helpful to place the pan back over medium heat to help the marshmallows melt.
  6. Stir in 6 ounces (half of a regular size box) of crisped rice cereal. I am not brand loyal. This is about 5 1/2 cups of cereal.
  7. Turn the mixture into the buttered pan.
  8. Use the butter wrapper to press the mixture into the pan.
  9. Cool the treats completely. Turn them out onto a cutting board and cut into 16 squares.

By the way, Deb Perelman’s recipe is featured in her original Smitten Kitchen Cookbook. I also love her second cookbook, Smitten Kitchen Every Day.  She has wonderful recipes.  I encourage you to check out her website and her books!

Since I discovered the tricks of doubling the butter and using a smaller pan, I have developed a true passion for Rice Krispies treats. Try my other recipes: wedding cake Rice Krispies treats, candy corn Rice Krispies treats, and malted chocolate Rice Krispies treats!

a close-up photograph of a stack of salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats

Click here to save this recipe to your Pinterest snack boards!


Yield: 16 squares

Pinterest Test Kitchen: Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

5 minPrep Time:

10 minCook Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
Recipe Image

Ingredients

  • 1 stick unsalted butter plus more for buttering the pan
  • 1 bag miniature marshmallows
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 6 ounces (1/2 of a regular size box) crisped rice cereal

Instructions

  1. Generously butter an 8 x 8 dish.
  2. Place the stick of butter into a Dutch oven over medium heat. Don't throw away the wrapper-I like to smear a little bit of the butter that I used to butter the pan onto the wrapper (I'll use this at the end).
  3. Cook the butter, stirring frequently, until browned bits separate and the butter stops foaming. Don't walk away or you'll burn the butter!
  4. Stir in the marshmallows and the salt. Stir until completely melted and smooth and remove from heat.
  5. Add the cereal and stir until completely coated with the marshmallows. Spread into the buttered pan. Use the buttered wrapper to press the mixture into the pan.
  6. Allow the Rice Krispies treats to cool completely. Turn out of the pan and cut into squares.
7.8.1.2
47
https://chattavore.com/pinterest-test-kitchen-salted-brown-butter-rice-krispie-treats/

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This does not affect the cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosures. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Shared on Meal Plan Monday on Southern Bite and The Weekend Potluck on The Country Cook!

a close-up photograph of a salted brown butter Rice Krispies treat with a bite taken out of it

French Yogurt Cake

French yogurt cake is a great way to use up the yogurt that is hanging out in your fridge. It’s so simple, made with ingredients you probably already have, and bright and fresh with citrus flavors! Yogurt, eggs, oil, sugar, flour, citrus, and powdered sugar – that’s all you need to make this super-simple cake! I always seem to have a half-eaten tub of yogurt and some on-the-brink citrus (lemons, limes, clementines…you name it, I have it) in the fridge and this is the perfect way to use them up!

an overhead photograph of a slice of French yogurt cake with a lemon twist on top and a fork [Read more…]

Italian Cream Sheet Cake + Video

Italian cream sheet cake is a classic Southern cake made simple in a sheet pan. With cream cheese icing, pecans, and coconut, it’s perfect! Scroll down for video.

Italian cream sheet cake is a classic Southern cake made simple in a sheet pan. With cream cheese icing, pecans, and coconut, it's perfect! #cakes #baking #sheetcake #italiancreamcake #southernfood | Recipe from Chattavore.com

Save this recipe for later!

Italian Cream Cake

Some time ago, Philip announced that he had decided that he wanted an Italian cream cake for his birthday. As ubiquitous as Italian cream cake seems to be, you might be surprised to know that I don’t have a single recipe for Italian cream cake in any of my many cookbooks. However, I was searching through my grandmother’s recipe books over the holidays and discovered this:
Italian cream sheet cake is a classic Southern cake made simple in a sheet pan. With cream cheese icing, pecans, and coconut, it's perfect! #cakes #baking #sheetcake #italiancreamcake #southernfood | Recipe from Chattavore.com

Sheet Cakes 4-Evah

A few adjustments (I’ve never seen canned coconut in my life, and you guys know I don’t buy shortening) and I turned out a lovely and delicious sheet cake. Oh, did I mention that this rectangular cake pan from USA Pans has revolutionized my cake baking life? I may never bake another layer cake again. I love the ease of doing everything in one pan and then just throwing some foil over the top of the pan for transport instead of having to turn it out of the pan (crumbs everywhere), ice it on a cardboard round, and then load it into a cake carrier while praying that it doesn’t somehow topple into the sides of the carrier. Easy cake recipes = life!
Italian cream sheet cake is a classic Southern cake made simple in a sheet pan. With cream cheese icing, pecans, and coconut, it's perfect! #cakes #baking #sheetcake #italiancreamcake #southernfood | Recipe from Chattavore.com

It’s a Southern Cake!

The funny thing about this cake is that I am almost certain that there’s nothing Italian about it. As I searched for the origins of Italian cream cake online, I found this information on Food Timeline that describes a cake that sounds nothing like this Italian cream cake that Southerners have come to know and love…which leads me to the conclusion that the origins of this cake are not Italian but from right here in the Southeast region of the United States.

I am fairly certain that I gained a couple of pounds just scraping the bowl of icing. And I still have this cake in my kitchen. It’s threatening to be my downfall.

Click here to save this recipe on Pinterest for later!

For more videos, follow me on YouTube!

Yield: 1 13x9 sheet cake (about 20 servings)

Italian Cream Sheet Cake

30 minPrep Time:

40 minCook Time:

1 hr, 10 Total Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
Recipe Image

Ingredients

    For the Cake
  • 5 eggs, separated
  • 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
    • For the Icing
  • 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 13×9 cake pan and set aside.
  2. Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a hand mixer, beat the eggs whites on high speed until stiff peaks are reached. Set aside (if you are using a stand mixer, you will need to transfer the whites to a different bowl and clean out the mixer bowl).
  3. Whisk the flour and the baking soda together in a medium bowl.
  4. Cream together the 2 sticks of butter and the sugar until fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the flour mixture and the buttermilk alternately, about a third of each at a time. Add the vanilla then scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat in the pecans and the coconut.
  5. Carefully fold the reserved eggs whites into the cake batter. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. To make the icing, cream the butter and cream cheese using an electric mixture on medium speed. Add the powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, and beat until well combined. Add the vanilla and the coconut and beat until incorporated.
  7. Spread the icing over the cooled cake and sprinkle evenly with the chopped pecans.
7.8.1.2
262
https://chattavore.com/italian-cream-sheet-cake/

Italian cream sheet cake is a classic Southern cake made simple in a sheet pan. With cream cheese icing, pecans, and coconut, it's perfect! #cakes #baking #sheetcake #italiancreamcake #southernfood | Recipe from Chattavore.com

My Grandmother’s Christmas Pie

Christmas pie is my grandmother’s classic recipe, and it is simplicity in a pie dish. That may be what makes it so beautiful and delicious! Sugar, egg whites, gelatin, milk, almond extract, vanilla extract, and coconut in a baked pie shell – that simple! This is an easy and classic Christmas dessert that is a family heirloom!a photograph of a slice of Christmas pie with a whole pie in the background and coconut sprinkled on the background

Save this recipe for later!

Salty or Sweet?

Which do you prefer – sweet or salty? Most of us in my family are pretty balanced between having a sweet tooth and a salty tooth (though I have to admit that it would be a rare occasion that I would choose a cupcake over a bag of nacho Doritos or some stovetop popcorn). My dad, though…he does not care much for sweets (he’s been digging into the desserts a little bit more over the past few months, and I am sure he’d deny that).
A photograph of a Christmas pie with coconut and crushed pineapple sprinkled on the backdrop

Christmas Pie

One dessert that he can’t say no to, though, is my grandmother’s Christmas pie. It’s something that she made every Christmas, and I am sure that’s why. You know, the whole childhood/nostalgia thing. I mean, besides that fact that it’s delicious, of course.

My grandmother was a phenomenal cook. Everything she made was delicious. And visually perfect. I wish I had her eye for detail. Maybe one of these days I’ll have the time to perfectly measure my cookie dough then roll it into perfect little balls so that every cookie is the same size and shape. Not that she wasn’t busy, but perfection in the kitchen was important to her.
an overhead photograph of a slice of Christmas pie with a whole pie in the background and coconut and crushed peppermint sprinkled on the backdroup

Christmas Dessert Recipe

Anyway, back to Christmas pie. Honestly, I do not remember it. Not.One.Bit. I don’t remember her ever making it, though I’m told (as I mentioned before) that she made it every Christmas. As a kid I hated coconut, so that’s probably why I don’t remember this pie.

It’s okay, though. When you have an aunt who loves to cook as much as you do and as much as her mother did, and who has amazingly organized binders of all of her favorite recipes, you can always ask for the recipe. That’s just what I did.
an overhead photograph of a slice of Christmas pie with white chocolate stars on the plate and coconut and crushed peppermint sprinkled on the backdrop

Easy Christmas Recipe

This Christmas pie recipe is just as my grandmother made it. I did add a little decoration, you know, for pictures. Everything else, though…it’s exactly as my aunt wrote it down. No cheating here, and no embellishment.

Really, this Christmas pie is so simple, it just reminds you that food doesn’t have to be difficult or fancy to be perfect and tasty. This delicious Christmas dessert takes a little time, but every step is so easy! Definitely worth it to bring back my dad’s childhood memories.

I hope that you enjoy my grandmother’s white Christmas pie!

Shared on the Weekend Potluck on Served Up With Love!

Click here to save this recipe on your Pinterest  Christmas baking board for later!

a close-up photograph of a slice of Christmas pie with a whole pie in the background

Yield: 1 9-inch pie (about 8-10 servings)

My Grandmother’s White Christmas Pie

25 minPrep Time:

40 minCook Time:

1 hr, 5 Total Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
Recipe Image

Ingredients

  • 1 pie crust (use your favorite recipe or a store-bought crust)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut (or mix 1/2 cup sweetened coconut and 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut), plus another 2 tablespoons for decorating the top.

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Form the pie crust in the dish and press a sheet of aluminum foil into the crust. Fill with pie weights. Bake until light brown, about 25 minutes. Set on a cooling rack to cool completely.
  2. Fill the sink with about 3 inches of water and 4 cups of ice (2 ice trays).
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, the flour, the gelatin, and the salt. Gradually whisk in the milk. Set over medium high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture boils, boil it for one minute. Remove from heat and place into the ice bath. Stir from time to time and allow to cool until the mixture mounds slightly when dropped from a spoon (this took about ten minutes for me). Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
  4. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer with a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on high until soft peaks form. With the beater still going, gradually pour in the remaining half cup of sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the beaten egg whites into the milk mixture.
  5. Wash and dry the mixing bowl. Beat the heavy cream on high until stiff peaks form. Fold into the milk and egg white mixture until completely combined, then fold in the coconut. Pour into the pie shell and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut on top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until firm.

Notes

NOTE: This recipe contains uncooked egg whites. People with compromised immune systems, young children, and elderly people should avoid consuming raw eggs due to food borne illnesses. However, you can purchase pasteurized eggs at many grocery stores. Pasteurized eggs are processed in a way that makes them safer to consume raw. I purchase eggs that I am comfortable consuming without cooking them.

7.8.1.2
476
https://chattavore.com/grandmothers-white-christmas-pie/