Salted Caramel Crisped Rice Treats

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, divided

50 caramels, unwrapped

1 (10-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (10-ounce) bag mini marshmallows

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 cups crisped rice cereal (use chocolate flavored for an extra special treat)

Coarse or flake sea salt

Preparation

1. Spray a large 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. In a medium sauce pan melt 1/4 cup of butter. Add the unwrapped caramels and the sweetened condensed milk and stir until the caramels are melted and well combined. Turn off the heat.
3. In a large pot melt 1/4 cup of butter. Add the marshmallows, stirring with a rubber spatula until melted. Add the vanilla.
4. Stir the 8 cups of crisped rice cereal into the marshmallow mixture. Pour in half of the caramel mixture. Stir well to combine.
5. Press the crisped rice and marshmallow mixture into the prepared casserole dish. HINT: It helps to work with wet hands to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands as you press it into the pan.
6. Pour the remaining caramel mixture onto the rice mixture in the casserole.
7. Sprinkle with sea salt.
8. Allow the treats to cool at least 6 hours to overnight.
9. Cut into about 20 pieces.