The Game-Changing Trick For Better Rice Krispies Treats

If you haven't admitted to yourself that Rice Krispies treats are a perfect sweet treat, then it's time to do so. The beloved childhood dessert is the perfect combination of soft marshmallows and crunchy rice cereal that's just sweet enough to satisfy. Not to mention, it's so easy to make and only calls for a few ingredients.

However, there are a few things that can significantly improve your Rice Krispies treats. Anyone who has made the treat knows they're a cinch, but they can get very sticky when pressing them into the pan. That's why it's always a good idea to butter or spray your spoon or spatula with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. It's also wise to place a layer of wax paper over the treats once they are in the pan to prevent it from sticking to your hands while you press them into the pan (via Cookie Elf).

But the lesser-known game-changing trick is all about adding one sweet ingredient to keep your Rice Krispies treats softer for longer.

Use this ingredient to keep them soft longer

Those of you who have made these iconic treats and had some leftovers probably found that they became really hard after a few days. That's why adding sweetened condensed milk to the mixture is the hack you didn't know you needed (via The Kitchn). The seemingly unusual ingredient also adds more depth of flavor and provides the Rice Krispies treats with even more ooey-gooey goodness. The only catch is that you will have to wait until the batch completely cools in the pan before cutting them.

To add sweetened condensed milk to your Rice Krispies treats, all you have to do is combine about 1/2 cup with the butter in a pot (via Chow Hound). Stir it well until it is totally combined and you see small bubbles, like the beginning of a boil, in the center of the pot. Then, just follow the usual steps you would take to make these treats, such as melting the marshmallows and then folding in the cereal.

It's such an easy additional step to add sweetened condensed milk, and you probably already have a can of the pantry staple laying around. So, give it a try and see how you like the upgrade.