How to Soften Hard Rice Krispie Treats? Great Tips and Recipe

Who does not love to devour a quick and delicious dessert that does not need baking? If you do, then you must love rice Krispie treats. These are typical confections made using rice cereal, butter, and marshmallows. 

Although the rice Krispie recipe is relatively quick and easy, many people get the texture wrong and make too hard Krispie treats. If your rice Krispies are also getting hardened, there are a few things you might be doing wrong. Wondering what they are? Read on to find your answer. But first, let’s learn a few exciting things about Krispie treats. 

Krispie Treats: A Backstory

How to Soften Hard Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie treats have an exciting history. They originated in 1938, and the recipe was included in a dessert book written by Lucy Maltby. These were initially called puffed wheat squares, and the original recipe had cereal, sugar, butter, molasses, and vinegar. 

A Kellogg employee and campfire Girl’s troop leader, Mildred Day, has been credited for introducing this inexpensive treat to public consciousness. When her scouts sold hundreds of these Krispie treats during the summer of 1939 in one of Michigan’s small towns, this dessert got popular. 

Gradually, the treat became irreplaceable at children’s birthday parties, elementary school classrooms, and other themed parties. 

The Reason Why Krispie Treats Get Harder 

  • Increased temperature 

You cannot rush the process of making Krispie treats, as it will make them harder. So make sure when you are cooking these sweet treats, the stove heat is set at low flame. Cooking them at high temperatures will make the sugar turn hard, and the marshmallows will get extra hot, making the Krispies hard. 

  • Using Stale or Expired Marshmallows

Marshmallows are a crucial ingredient in Krispie treats. However, depending on the type of marshmallows you are using, the outcome will differ. For instance, if you use stale or old marshmallows, the result will be hard rice Krispie treats. So don’t forget to read the expiry date before using marshmallows for the treats. 

  • Melting technique

Melting marshmallows and butter is another deciding factor in Krispie treats. If you are using a microwave for the job, start with a one-minute setting to melt these two together. After sixty seconds, take out the plate and, to smoothen the texture, smash them with a spatula. Leaving the mixture too long in the microwave will result in hard, dry Krispie treats. 

  • The batter 

Lastly, when adding the rice Krispies, you have to be conscious about the quantity. Adding too much rice Krispies will make the entire thing hard. The ideal rice Krispie and marshmallow ratio is 1:1 for perfectly soft rice Krispie treats. 

How to Soften Rice Krispie Treats? 

How to Soften Hard Rice Krispie Treats
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As you are now familiar with the conditions that can make your rice Krispie treats hard, it’s time to see how you can soften the hard rice Krispies. If things have gone wrong, don’t get disheartened, there are ways you can make it better using a few hacks. Let’s have a look at the tips and tricks- 

  • Use white bread 

The damage is already done, and your Krispie treats are hard as stones, don’t worry; white bread is to the rescue. Add a couple of white bread slices in the container where you have kept the rice Krispies and close the lid. The Krispies will absorb the moisture from the bread pieces and get softer again. 

  • Follow Proper Heating technique 

Does eating the Krispies feel like chewing pebbles? Well, heat them in the microwave for a few seconds and see the magic. Put the rice treats in the microwave for a few seconds to a couple of minutes, and they will soften up. However, make sure you don’t set the temperature too high; doing so will make the treats even harder. 

  • Use a Ziploc bag 

This technique is only proper when you have very few treats left, and putting them with bread on the container does not work. Instead, grab a Ziploc bag, add a slice of bread with the Krispies and let it rest for a night. The following day you will find softer rice Krispie treats to gulp down within minutes. 

As you have seen, it is pretty easy to soften the rice Krispie treats if yours have gotten hard. As a sweet, easy-to-make dessert, most people make them in lots to have a sweet bite after their meals. But the common concern is how to store these rice Krispies without ruining them. Well, here is your answer- 

Ways to Store Rice Krispie Treats: Keep Them Fresh for Longer

Storing rice Krispie treats isn’t much of a task. All you need is an airtight container, butter paper, or plastic wrap. After making the dessert, spread it into butter paper and let it cool down. Cut them into tiny squares and place them into another piece of butter paper. 

Place another piece of butter paper over the Krispies and repeat the process. Once you are done layering all the Krispie pieces, close the container lid and store it in the freezer

If you don’t have an airtight container, a serving dish will also serve the purpose. You will need foil paper to wrap the treats from all sides for this method. Placing the goodies will be the same as putting them into the container. Next, you will wrap the whole tray with foil paper and pinch it tight around the edges as a final step. Then, add a second layer of protection with plastic wrap. 

Using a ziplock freezer bag will also serve the purpose. Take a ziploc bag, put the treats in and squeeze all the air out. Now keep it in the freezer, and your rice Krispie treats will be fresh for at least six weeks. 

Rice Krispie Treats Recipe 

How to Soften Hard Rice Krispie Treats
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You have learned much about not ruining the rice Krispies and storing them for later consumption. Let’s now familiarize you with the authentic rice Krispie treats recipe that you and your family will love. So let’s begin…

Ingredients 

  • One packet marshmallows 
  • 3 tablespoon butter 
  • 6 cups rice Krispie cereal bowls.  

Cooking method

  1. Take a saucepan and start melting the butter on low heat 
  2. Now add the marshmallows and stir until they are completely melted. 
  3. Remove the saucepan from the flame and start adding the cereals 
  4. Stir until the rice Krispie cereals are well coated with the butter marshmallow mixture
  5. Take a serving tray and lay a wax or butter paper in it
  6. Using a buttered spatula, spread the mixture on the wax paper
  7. You can either use another wax paper or the buttered spatula itself to even out the coated cereals. 
  8.  Once the mixture cools down a bit, cut them into small squares, and your Rice Krispie treats are ready. 

Side note:

  • Always keep the heat on low flame to ensure your rice Krispies turn out perfect and don’t get hard.
  • If you are using a microwave, do not set it at a high temperature to melt the marshmallows and butter; it will harden the treats.
  • Ensure that you are not using expired or stale marshmallows, as they can ruin the recipe. 

Conclusion 

The best way to save the rice Krispie treats from getting ruined is by paying attention to the ingredients and cooking temperature. As already said, using expired marshmallows will result in stale Krispies, and the same goes for temperature. 

Don’t rush the process; take time and be patient with the cooking process. So what are you waiting for? Get the ingredients ready and start making these mouth-watering treats!

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