Ok, today is a no recipe post! Mostly because I'm too lazy to edit pictures,... ahem... but also because I need to address several questions I repeatedly get.
So, sometimes in life things don't turn out just as we hoped. My Tax Refund. The Bachelor Finale. The NCAA Bracket. My Car's Smog Check.... just to name a few. And sometimes, dare I say it, my cooking falls into this category as well. And it stinks. Especially when you put a lot of work into making somethingand then it comes out wrong. And the only thing that is worse is having no idea what went wrong.
So here are some of the top issues I've heard of/seen/had happen to me in regards to rice krispy treats:
1.) "My marshmallows melted into a gummy blob."
The number one reason I find this happens is because you are using old marshmallows. As soon as they start getting that dry exterior, their melting capacity goes down the drain. Save yourself the hassle and set thosemarshmallowsaside for s'mores.
If your marshmallows aren't old, it could also be the brand you're using. Certain store brands just don't melt as well.
2.) "My treats have a soggy/stale texture."
This is most likely due to too much butter. I've tried a few variations that use more butter and I often end up with thisweirdsoggy/stale texture. Next time try reducing the amount you are using and see if that helps.
Another reason could be if you are using margarine. Some margarines have worked out fine for me, some haven't. Check your brand for the oil/water %. If it is too high this makes your cereal turn out soggy. Either try switching to butter or a margarine brand with a lower % of liquids.
3.) "My treats are hard instead of soft and chewy."
How high was your heat when you were melting your marshmallows? If you crank up the heat and zoom through melting them, they will dry to a hard texture instead of a soft gooey one. So take the extra 5 minutes and melt them over low heat, stirring constantly. Show them a little love :)
If you did melt them slow and they are still hard, you most likely need to use more marshmallows. In my recipes I always use very full measurements. So if I say "6 cups of marshmallows", I meant 6 Full cups, don't skimp.
4.) My treats are overly gooey/sticky.
The only answer for this is that you used too many marshmallows. (I know, is that even possible?) I like to keep around a 1:1 ratio of marshmallows to dry cereal, so try to stick close to that unless you like your treats super gooey. Also be sure to spray your pan/bowls with nonstick spray or butter - that helps eliminate a lot of mess.
5.) My Marshmallows are Stuck Together in a Big Clump in the Bag.
Now, you may have ventured intounusablemarshmallowterritory(See Problem #1 above). But they may besalvageable.To unstick your mallows, sprinkle 1-2 tsp of corn starch or powdered sugar into the bag, seal it, and shake vigorously to evenly distribute and coat the marshmallows. They should begin to come apart a few moments.
Ok, that's that! Let me know if there are any other problems you have!
FAQs
Why are my Rice Krispies Treats not sticking together? Usually, this means you have too much moisture in your recipe. This could be because the marshmallows were over-melted or because the brand of butter you used has higher water content.
What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies Treats? ›
What happens if you put too much butter in Rice Krispies Treats? If you put too much butter in rice krispies treats they will become oily, the cereal will soak up the butter and the treats will become soggy, rather than crispy.
Why do my rice crispy treats come out hard? ›
High heat is the prime culprit for rock hard rice krispie treats. → Follow this tip: It will take a few more minutes of cook time, but melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat. You'll be rewarded with delicious, soft and chewy treats!
Why are my rice krispies falling apart? ›
An important factor in a rice krispie treat recipe is the ratio of marshmallow to cereal. Too much cereal and the squares will taste dry, crunchy, and bland. Too much marshmallow and the squares will be too sticky and fall apart.
How to fix sticky rice krispie treats? ›
Alternatively, those greasy used butter wrappers work wonders in helping press your mixture down and keeping things stick-free. Be sure to press down firmly, but not too tight, so that your mixture is easy to cut but doesn't become hard.
How do you keep Rice Krispie treats crispy? ›
Rice Krispie Treats will stay crispy and fresh, if stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature, for up to a week if you use salted butter, which is what we recommend.
How do you keep rice crispy treats from sticking to your hands? ›
Instead, you should use the inside of the wrapper to pat your marshmallow and butter-infused treat down into its pan. As crazyforcrust noted, this will allow you to even out your Rice Krispies Treats without covering your hands in marshmallows and crispy rice cereal.
Why is my crispy rice falling apart? ›
Tips and Tricks. Be sure to freeze your rice until it's firm enough to cut through easily. This not only helps with the cutting process but also helps when frying. If it's not cold enough, the rice blocks fall apart when you're frying them.
Can you fix hard Rice Krispie treats? ›
If you crank up the heat and zoom through melting them, they will dry to a hard texture instead of a soft gooey one. So take the extra 5 minutes and melt them over low heat, stirring constantly. Show them a little love :) If you did melt them slow and they are still hard, you most likely need to use more marshmallows.
What to do if my Rice Krispie treats is too dry? ›
If the marshmallows cook too long, the texture of the sugar changes and your treats will turn out hard and dry. Cooking them in the microwave allows you to control the temperature better and cooks it at a low heat. Another tip for keeping your crispy rice treats soft and chewy is to use fresh bags of mini marshmallows.
Stale cereal can lead to a less-than-crispy result, so always ensure your cereal is fresh and at its best. 3. Gentle Mixing: When stirring the melted marshmallows or chocolate into the cereal, be gentle and avoid overmixing. This will help keep the airiness and crunch intact.
What makes Rice Krispie treats sticky? ›
Melting marshmallows heats the gelatin within, causing it to act as a sticky binder that holds the Rice Krispies together once cooled.
How do you cut Rice Krispie treats without sticking? ›
Using a sharp, buttered knife or a cookie cutter dipped in warm water will help you glide through the treats with ease, preventing them from sticking and crumbling. For uniform squares, score the surface lightly first, creating a grid as your guide.
