Elevate your rice krispies treat game with this chocolate and caramel rice krispies treat recipe.

Alright, are you ready for an oldie, but a goodie treat? It’s a fast and easy treat that many moms like to make, most kids have had it, and it’s always a hit. Can you guess what it is? Rice krispie treats! I don’t know about you, but a pan of rice krispie treats doesn’t last more than two days in our house (how long does it last in your house?). It’s one of those treats that you just can’t stop at one 🙂

Now, the basic rice krispie treat consists of three main ingredients – butter, marshmallows, and rice krispie cereal. It’s a fabulous recipe, but I’ve kicked it up a bit and made it gift giving ready by adding chocolate, caramel, and pretzels…YUM!

Chocolate & Caramel Pretzel Rice Krispies Treats

Ingredients:

Krispie Treats

• 1 bag caramel candies (Use 30 pieces)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 10 oz marshmallows (about 40 regular size marshmallows or 10 jumbo sized)
• 6 – 6 1/2 cups rice krispies

Topping

• 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• caramel candies (Use 12 pieces or use 3/4 cup melted caramel chips)
• 2 tablespoons milk or cream
• 1/2 cup smashed pretzels (use a heaping 1/2 cup)
• 3/4 cups white chocolate chips (optional for added color)

How to Make Chocolate and Caramel Rice Krispies

Using a large pot, melt butter, caramel, and cream on medium low heat. Continuously mix until all of the caramel* is melted. Add in the marshmallows (I used 10 jumbo marshmallows) and stir until all the marshmallows are melted. Stir in the rice cereal and mix well until well coated. Scoop out the mix and place into a greased 9″ x 13″ pan.

*The caramel adds a subtle flavor to the treat and helps to make the rice bars a bit stiffer.

While the rice cereal is cooling, prepare the chocolate topping. Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over boiling water. Stir until all the chocolate is melted and spread it over the rice cereal. While the chocolate is still warm, sprinkle the crushed pretzels over it. 

To prep the caramel drizzle, melt 12 pieces of caramel candy and cream in a pot on medium-low heat. Stir until the candies are melted and drizzle this over the pretzels. The drizzle may seem runny, but it will soft set when cooled. If you want another layer of color, melt white chocolate and drizzle this over the top (I omitted the white chocolate this time).

I love the subtle flavor of caramel and the saltiness of the pretzels in this updated version of the classic rice kripsies treat. Plus, it looks pretty too, which makes it a great food gift. Just cut into 24 squares and place them into large cupcake liners for a nice presentation or leave them in a pretty glass pan.

Notes for the recipe below: I use 10 jumbo sized marshmallows and 6 1/2 cups of rice cereal for this recipe because it tends to be less sticky.  I also like to use actual caramel candies for the topping instead of the caramel chips because it’s a great way to use up the candies.