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Take your Rice Krispie treats to the next level with toasted milk powder, nutty brown butter, and earthy matcha! These Milky Brown Butter Matcha Rice Krispie Treats are chewy, milky, and totally irresistible.
This isn’t your average Rice Krispie treat. These Milky Brown Butter Matcha Rice Krispie Treats take the nostalgic childhood favorite and give it a seriously delicious grown-up twist. The secret? Toasted milk powder, nutty brown butter, and earthy matcha powder. The result is a milky, nutty, slightly earthy treat that’s completely addictive.
A Fun Twist on a Classic
Rice Krispie treats are one of those no-bake desserts that are so simple, yet so satisfying. This version keeps all the gooey, chewy charm of the original, but adds layers of flavor that make you go, “Whoa, that’s good.”
The toasted milk powder brings a warm, creamy depth, the brown butter adds a rich nuttiness, and the matcha gives that signature earthy flavor (and a gorgeous green hue!). It’s a combo that just works.
Why You’ll Like This Recipe
- Toasted milk powder = flavor bomb. Toasting the milk powder adds an almost malted, milky note that deepens the flavor.
- Brown butter makes everything better. It gives the treats that nutty, rich aroma you can’t resist.
- Matcha adds balance. The earthiness of matcha keeps the sweetness in check and adds sophistication.
- Easy, one-pan recipe. Everything happens in the same pan — minimal cleanup!
- No-bake treat perfection. You just mix, press, and let it set.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Dried whole milk powder: Toasting brings out a nutty, caramelized milk flavor. You can use nonfat milk powder in a pinch, but it won’t taste quite as rich.
- Unsalted butter: The base for brown butter. If using salted butter, skip the added salt.
- Mini marshmallows: They melt more evenly, but large ones work too — just cut them up into smaller pieces.
- Rice Krispies cereal: Or any puffed rice cereal brand you like.
- Matcha powder: Culinary grade works perfectly fine here — you don’t need the pricey ceremonial type.
- Salt: A tiny pinch helps balance the sweetness and bring out all the other flavors.
Make Ahead Tips
- These treats can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Avoid refrigerating — it makes them too firm.
- You can freeze them too! Wrap tightly and thaw at room temp before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I toast milk powder without burning it?
Use medium-low heat and stir constantly. It goes from golden to burnt quickly, so keep an eye on it. Once it smells nutty and turns light golden, remove it from the heat.
2. What kind of matcha should I use?
Culinary-grade matcha works just fine. It’s more affordable and has a stronger flavor that stands out in sweet treats. If you have the budget, you can use ceremonial matcha too, but it’s not necessary for this treat!
3. Can I make these less sweet?
Yes — use unsalted butter and reduce the marshmallows slightly (try 250 g). You can’t cut down on the marshmallow too much because we need them to bind everything together.
4. My treats turned out too hard. What happened?
You probably overcook the marshmallows, which can make them stringy. It is also possible that you take too long to shape the mixture. Next time, work quickly and gently press them into the pan while they are still warm.
5. How should I store them?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigerating, as it makes them too firm. They freeze well however! I individually wrap each piece and put them inside a freezer bag, push all the air out and seal the bag. They can be kept frozen for up to 1 month. Simply thaw at room temperature before serving.
If you love matcha and crave something familiar yet elevated, these Milky Brown Butter Matcha Rice Krispie Treats are going to be your new favorite no-bake dessert. The toasted milk powder gives a creamy depth, the brown butter adds nuttiness, and the matcha ties everything together beautifully. It’s a simple treat that feels fancy — the best kind of upgrade!
Milky Brown Butter Matcha Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 25 g dried whole milk powder
- 113 g unsalted butter
- 280 g mini marshmallow
- 168 g Rice Krispies cereal
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp matcha powder culinary grade is fine
Instructions
Prepare the pan:
- Lightly oil an 8 x 8 inch pan and line with parchment paper sling for easy removal. If the butter stick you use come with a wrapper,save the wrapper. You can use it to help you press the rice krispie treat into the pan
Toast the milk powder:
- Put the milk powder in a large non-stick pan you are going to use to make the rice krispie treat later. Put it on the stove over medium-low heat and toast it until it smells good, around a minute or so. Transfer to a small bowl
Brown the butter:
- To the same pan, add the butter and put the pan back on the stove over a medium-low heat and let the butter melt. Continue to let it heat up until it starts to turn slightly brown and started to show some brown bits, about 3 minutes
Add the flavor base:
- Turn the heat to the lowest and add milk powder
- Cook for another minute
Melt the marshmallows:
- Turn off the heat and stir in salt, matcha powder, and mini marshmallows
- Continue to stir until the marshmallow melts, about 1 minute.
Mix in the rice cereal:
- Add the rice cereal and stir to combine everything. Work quickly but thoroughly
Press and set:
- Transfer this to the prepared pan
- Use the wrapper from the butter you saved earlier or another piece of parchment paper (sprayed with some non-stick spray or use some oil to prevent sticking) to help you pack the mixture down into the pan, corner to corner.
- Let it cool down completely to set before cutting
To serve:
- Use a sharp knife to cut into 3 x 4 to get you 12 pieces. You can cut into 4 x 4 to get 16 pieces too if you want a smaller size treat
