Gooey Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treats with Irresistible Butterscotch Swirl: Your Ultimate No-Bake Dessert

Prepare to fall in love with these extraordinary chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats, elevated with a delightful butterscotch swirl! This no-bake recipe is a true game-changer, requiring just nine simple ingredients and minimal effort to create squares that are exceptionally gooey, chewy, and bursting with flavor. The mesmerizing swirl of chocolate and butterscotch not only adds a touch of elegance but also makes these treats incredibly fun and visually appealing for any occasion.

This beloved recipe, originally shared in April 2021, has been refreshed and updated with brand-new images and enhanced details to ensure you achieve perfect results every time. These indulgent chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats are crafted with the subtle depth of brown butter, a secret ingredient that introduces a nutty, caramelized note. This rich base flawlessly balances the sweetness of the chocolate and the butterscotch, creating a harmonious flavor profile that is truly addictive.

These squares are the ideal no-bake dessert for gatherings, potlucks, or especially bake sales, as this recipe yields a generous 16 perfectly portioned Rice Krispie squares. They are quick to prepare, require no oven, and always impress with their irresistible taste and delightful texture. If you’re a devoted fan of classic Rice Krispie treats, you absolutely must explore some of my other popular variations. Don’t miss out on my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats, the colorful and fun M&M Rice Krispie Treats, or the extra fluffy and chewy Rice Krispie Treats with Marshmallow Fluff!

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Why You’ll Adore These Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treats

These aren’t just any Rice Krispie treats; they’re an upgraded, gourmet version designed to tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests. Here’s why these gooey chocolate and butterscotch swirled treats will become your new go-to:

• Unforgettable Flavor Combination: Each bite delivers a symphony of flavors. The rich, melted chocolate pairs perfectly with the sweet, caramel-like notes of butterscotch. A delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top elevates the entire experience, creating that highly sought-after salty-sweet contrast that keeps you coming back for more. The subtle depth from the brown butter base also adds a complex, nutty undertone that distinguishes these from ordinary treats.
• Irresistibly Gooey Texture: Thanks to a generous amount of marshmallow, these Rice Krispie treats are incredibly gooey and wonderfully chewy. They strike the perfect balance between soft, marshmallowy goodness and the satisfying crispness of the cereal, making for a truly enjoyable textural experience that melts in your mouth. They’re not too firm, not too soft – just perfectly tender and pliable.
• Effortless to Make (Beginner-Friendly): You don’t need to be an experienced baker to master this recipe. These treats are super simple to prepare, making them an excellent project for beginners, kids, or anyone looking for a quick and rewarding dessert. The no-bake aspect eliminates the need for an oven, simplifying the process even further.
• Quick Preparation Time: Life is busy, and sometimes you need a dessert that comes together fast. This recipe boasts an impressive hands-on preparation time of just 15 minutes! While they do require about an hour to set in the fridge, the active cooking time is minimal, allowing you to whip up a batch for unexpected guests or a last-minute craving with ease.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re contributing to a bake sale, preparing snacks for a holiday gathering, celebrating a birthday, or simply craving a delicious homemade treat, these chocolate covered Rice Krispie bars are an ideal choice. Their eye-catching swirl and gourmet flavor make them stand out in any dessert spread.

Essential Ingredients for Your Gooey Treats

Crafting these delectable chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats requires a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. Quality ingredients make a noticeable difference in the final taste and texture of your treats. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

• Rice Krispie Cereal: The foundation of our treats! You can opt for the classic branded Kellogg’s Rice Krispies or a generic grocery store puffed rice cereal. The key is to ensure it’s fresh and crispy to achieve that signature crunch within the gooey marshmallow. Avoid stale cereal for the best results.
• Unsalted Butter: We use unsalted butter for two main reasons: it allows us to control the salt content precisely, and it’s essential for achieving that delicious brown butter flavor. Browning the butter adds a depth of nutty, toasted notes that elevates the entire treat.
• Marshmallows: These are crucial for the treats’ characteristic gooey and chewy texture. You can use a 10-ounce bag of regular-sized marshmallows or mini marshmallows – both work wonderfully. Mini marshmallows tend to melt a bit faster and more evenly, but regular ones are perfectly fine with a little extra stirring and patience. If you’re eager to try a recipe using marshmallow fluff for an even silkier texture, check out my other recipe for Rice Krispie Treats with Marshmallow Fluff!
• Chocolate Chips: For the decadent topping, I personally love using milk chocolate chips for their creamy sweetness, which contrasts beautifully with the butterscotch. However, you can absolutely use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips if you prefer a less sweet and more intense chocolate flavor. High-quality chocolate chips will melt more smoothly and provide a superior taste.
• Butterscotch Chips: The star of the swirl! Butterscotch chips add a unique caramel-like sweetness and a beautiful golden hue to the topping. If butterscotch isn’t your favorite, feel free to get creative: white chocolate chips offer a creamy, vanilla flavor, peanut butter chips provide a salty-sweet kick, or caramel chips enhance the deep, buttery notes. You can even double down on chocolate if you prefer a purely chocolate-covered treat.
• Coconut Oil: A small amount of coconut oil is added to both the chocolate and butterscotch chips when melting. This helps them melt into a smooth, pourable consistency, making it easier to spread over the treats and achieve that beautiful swirl without the chocolate seizing or becoming too thick. Refined coconut oil is generally preferred as it has a neutral flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract rounds out the marshmallow flavor, adding warmth and depth to the base of the treats. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt (beyond what’s in the butter) enhances all the sweet flavors and helps balance the overall richness of the treats.
• Flaky Sea Salt: This is an optional but highly recommended finishing touch. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after swirling not only adds visual appeal but also provides a delightful crunch and intensifies the salty-sweet experience.

Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Treats

Making these chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats is a straightforward process, even for novice bakers. Follow these simple steps to create perfectly gooey, flavorful squares with a stunning butterscotch swirl:

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Brown the Butter. Begin by lining an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This “sling” will make it incredibly easy to lift the set treats out of the pan later. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Continue to cook the butter, stirring occasionally, until it has completely melted, then begins to foam, and eventually, small golden-brown bits appear at the bottom of the pan. The butter will turn a beautiful amber color and develop a rich, nutty aroma. This process typically takes 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to burn it; remove it from heat if it starts to smell acrid.

Step 2: Melt the Marshmallows. Once your butter is perfectly browned, return the saucepan to medium-low heat (if removed). Add the marshmallows, salt, and vanilla extract to the pan. Stir continuously with a rubber spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. This should take about 3-5 minutes, depending on whether you’re using mini or regular marshmallows. Keep the heat low to prevent the marshmallows from burning or becoming too stiff. As soon as they are fully melted, turn off the heat immediately to maintain their gooey texture.

Step 3: Combine with Cereal. Pour the Rice Krispie cereal into the saucepan with the melted marshmallow mixture. Working quickly but gently, use your rubber spatula to fold the cereal into the marshmallow, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. It’s important to work fast because the marshmallow will start to set as it cools, making it harder to mix.

Step 4: Press into the Pan. Transfer the entire Rice Krispie mixture into your prepared 8×8 inch baking pan. Using your rubber spatula or a piece of parchment paper to prevent sticking, gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Avoid pressing too firmly, as this can compress the cereal and result in a harder, less gooey treat. The goal is an even, lightly packed layer.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate Topping. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Microwave in short bursts of 15-20 seconds, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. This prevents burning and ensures a silky consistency. Once melted, pour the chocolate evenly over the pressed Rice Krispie treats. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread the chocolate across the entire surface, creating a smooth, even layer.

Step 6: Create the Butterscotch Swirl and Chill. In a separate small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butterscotch chips with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil using the same microwave technique (15-second bursts, stirring in between) until smooth. Once melted, use a spoon to dollop small amounts of the warm butterscotch randomly over the still-wet chocolate layer. Take a toothpick, skewer, or the tip of a butter knife and gently swirl the butterscotch and chocolate together to create an artistic marbled pattern. For an extra touch, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top while the chocolate is still soft. Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate and butterscotch topping is completely set and firm. Once chilled, lift the treats out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into 16 squares using a sharp knife.

Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Rice Krispie Treats

Achieving the perfect chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats is all about a few key techniques. These tips and tricks will help ensure your treats are gooey, flavorful, and beautifully presented every time:

• Customize Your Swirl: While butterscotch is a fantastic choice, don’t limit yourself! Feel free to swap out the butterscotch chips for other flavorful options. Caramel chips will add a deeper, richer caramel note. Peanut butter chips provide a delicious salty-sweet twist. White chocolate chips offer a creamy, vanilla contrast. Or, if you’re a true chocolate lover, simply use more chocolate chips for an extra layer of chocolatey goodness. Experiment with combinations to find your favorite!
• Master the Marshmallow Melt: The key to gooey treats is properly melted marshmallows. You absolutely don’t want to burn the marshmallows, as this can make them hard and chewy instead of soft and pliable. Always use medium-low or even low heat and stir continuously. If you’re using regular-sized marshmallows, they might take a little longer to break down completely, so be patient and resist the urge to crank up the heat. A gentle, steady melt is essential for that perfect gooey texture.
• Parchment Paper is Your Best Friend: For effortless removal and easy cleanup, ensure the parchment paper is overhanging the sides of your baking pan by at least an inch or two. This creates convenient “handles” that will make it incredibly easy to lift the entire slab of chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats out of the pan once they’ve set, allowing for clean and precise cutting.
• Pan Size Matters: This recipe calls for an 8×8 inch baking pan, which yields thick, satisfying squares. If a 9×9 inch baking pan is all you have, feel free to use it! The treats will just be slightly thinner, but equally delicious. Adjusting to a 9×13 inch pan is perfect if you plan to double the recipe, resulting in standard-sized bars.
• Gentle Pressing for Gooeyness: When pressing the cereal mixture into the pan, be gentle. Over-compressing the mixture can lead to dense, hard treats rather than the desired light and gooey texture. Use light, even pressure with a spatula or the back of a buttered piece of parchment paper.
• Melting Chocolate Smoothly: When melting chocolate and butterscotch chips, whether in the microwave or a double boiler, always aim for a slow and steady melt. The coconut oil helps, but continuous stirring and avoiding overheating are key to a smooth, un-seized topping. If using the microwave, always stir every 15-20 seconds.
• Achieving the Perfect Swirl: For the most visually appealing swirl, dollop your melted butterscotch (or chosen topping) while the chocolate layer is still wet. Use a thin tool like a toothpick, skewer, or the tip of a butter knife to gently drag through the two layers. Don’t overmix; just a few artistic swipes are enough to create a beautiful marbled effect.
• Chilling is Crucial: Allow ample time for the treats to set in the refrigerator. This firming-up period ensures the chocolate and butterscotch topping hardens properly, making the treats much easier to cut cleanly and preventing a messy snack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand Your No-Bake Repertoire: Try These Delicious Recipes Next!

If you loved making these chocolate and butterscotch covered Rice Krispie treats, you’re sure to enjoy these other fantastic recipes. Whether you’re looking for more delightful Rice Krispie variations or other easy-to-make desserts, these options are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth:

Have you made this incredibly gooey and delicious recipe? Please take a moment to rate the recipe below! We love hearing from you and seeing your creations. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @alpineella and Pinterest to share your culinary adventures and stay updated with new recipes!

Recipe Card: Gooey Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treats with Butterscotch Swirl