Salted Brown Butter Krispy Treats

There is a place in Chicago called Summerhouse with the most perfect Brown Butter Rice Krispy Treats that melt in your mouth as you walk out the door. 

I have always wanted mine to taste like theirs--2 inch squares of chewy, buttery rice krispy treat goodness--but mine never have until I discovered Smitten Kitchen's version tucked in the back of the cookbook! 

I will forwarn you that this is not microwave krispy treats--attention is required along with a little extra equipment (and maybe practice to brown the butter) to get the prize. But, don't let those issues deter you from trying something so delish!

Salted Brown Butter Krispy Treats

Equipment:

Large 5-qt pot

Large mixing bowl

8" x 8" non-stick pan with 2" sides
Butter, for greasing pan
Seran Wrap, for spread gooey goodness easily
Wooden spoon

Ingredients:

6 cups rice crispy cereal

1 (10oz) bag mini marshmallows

8 Tbls butter (1 stick)
1/4 tsp flaky sea salt (Maldon Salt)

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Prepare all equipment and ingredients.
3. In a large pot, melt 1 stick butter over medium-low heat. 

Note: I have 1 1/2 sticks butter in picture because I was making 1 1/2 batches

4. Pay attention and do not leave--the butter will melt, foam, and turn clear golden.
5. Turning golden brown will occur very quickly along with a nutty aroma filling the air--make sure you are stirring the butter mixture frequently...and, do not walk away.

6. Once the butter is brown, turn off the heat, sprinkle salt into butter and add the marshmallows--these should melt fairly quickly into a smooth texture--but, if you need to, add a little heat briefly to melt remaining puffs.

Because of the browned butter, the melted marshmallows will look slightly dirty!

7. Remove the pot from the stove and stir in the cereal until all of it is evenly coated.
8. Scrap the cereal mixture into the prepared and buttered 8" x 8" dish.
9. Use plastic wrap to smooth the top and flatten without getting your hands sticky.

10. Set aside in the fridge briefly to facilitate cooling and setting, but then...who's watching...get your friends and dig in...I know you want one!