How To Keep Rice Krispie Treats Soft Using This Pantry Staple for Sweet and Chewy Bars

Rice Krispie treats have always been a staple of my dessert spread at summer BBQs. While it's convenient to buy them ready-made, I like to make them from scratch — adding my own twists, like throwing in a dash of vanilla or browning the melted butter beforehand to get a nutty flavor. While these tricks ensure tasty cereal bars, I often have trouble preventing them from going stale the next day. Thankfully, I found a tip on how to keep homemade Rice Krispie treats soft using an ingredient that's already in my pantry: sweetened condensed milk. It turns out this staple helps prevent the treat from hardening too fast once prepared. Read on for more on making these treats using condensed milk for sweet and chewy results!

How to keep Rice Krispie treats soft using condensed milk

A can of condensed milk can come in handy when you want to add a sweet, milky flavor to desserts like key lime pie and homemade ice cream. Turns out, this milk has the same flavor effect on homemade Rice Krispie treats, plus it gives the bars an extra chewy texture that remains for days to come.

Chef Libby Willis notes that adding the condensed milk to the base at the right moment is key for maximum flavor . “For a [rich and caramelized] dulce de leche flavor, add the canned milk with the butter and let it cook down and brown a bit," she tells Epicurious . "For something more milky and creamy, add it with the marshmallows.” With this tip in mind, you're ready to make a batch of these treats for any occasion.

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A delicious recipe for homemade Rice Krispie treats

For yummy results with every batch, it's worth trying Kellogg's original recipe for Rice Krispie Treats with the addition of the condensed milk. Food writer Meghan Splawn says that using at least ⅓ cup condensed milk will give you the desired gooey texture and keep the cereal bars softer longer. You can even go a full ½  cup for a creamier flavor. Who knew this pantry staple could take Rice Krispie treats to a whole new level? I'll definitely be serving some extra soft, chewy cereal bars as a fun treat for BBQs and gatherings year-round!

Homemade Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:

• 6 cups puffed rice cereal like Rice Krispies
• 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) large marshmallows or 5½ cups mini marshmallows
• ⅓ to ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• A dash vanilla extract (optional)

Directions:

• Active: 10 mins
• Total time: 30 mins
• Yield: 12 servings

1. In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and vanilla extract — stir until completely melted. (Pour in condensed milk during either stage, per chef Willis' tips.) Remove pan from heat.
2. Add cereal. Stir until cereal is well-coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into large rectangular pan coated with cooking spray. Cool until solid. Cut into 2-inch squares and enjoy.

How to store Rice Krispies to maintain their softness

Storing these squares correctly is just as important for preventing them from going hard. So, transfer them to an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to two days. To extend the storage life, you can store the bars in the freezer for six weeks. Just be sure to place wax paper between the bars so they don't stick together before placing them in an airtight container and freezing them.

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