We're bringing back the Original Rice Krispie Treat Recipe from 1940. It's not the recipe printed on the side of today's box of cereal. It's BETTER!

Then & Now

I've made many batches of Rice Krispies Treats over the years. They were always a favorite at the kids holiday parties at school. The recipe is printed right on the side of the box. Or is it?

I learned to use a cup less of cereal over the years because I like them more marshmallow-y and chewy. It turns out, my preference was on par with the original writers of the recipe.

I did some digging, and found the Original Rice Krispie Treats recipe from 1940! It IS IN FACT, different than the recipe we see on the box today. And LET Me Tell you, it's so much better. Chewy and Buttery.

Then - The St. Louis Star and Times, Sept.1940

Original Newspaper Clipping of Rice Krispies marshmallow squares.

Now - Side of Rice Krispies® Box, 2024

A Little History

Rice Krispies became a Kellogg's cereal in 1928.

First Rice Krispies Box and Rice Krispie Square.

Rice Krispies and Kellogg's History goes way back. Have you ever heard the story of the Kellogg's brothers? Oh my, if you're curious, read all about it in my post for the Kellogg's Raisin Bran Muffins Recipe.

After the "Marshmallow Squares" recipe creation was developed at Kellogg's, it first appeared and was published in newspapers. Later, it appeared on the box. As you can see, Rice Krispies Treats were initially considered a CANDY. Oh SNAP!

Newspaper article referring to the treats as "try this candy recipe".

The ⅛ cup is a newspaper typo. San Fernando Valley Times, 1941

The Butter Back Then

Todays cooks and chefs tout "Unsalted Butter" as their cooking fat of choice. They want to control the salt in their recipes.

Did you know that the first commercially sold butter was "Salted" as a means of preserving the product? Refrigeration during transport and home cooling ice boxes weren't as reliable as they are today.

I reviewed many vintage boxes of butter looking for an exact time frame for when shoppers had a choice between Salted or Unsalted. I also reviewed big name cookbooks over the decades.

First, it was specified as "Sweet Cream Butter". It wasn't until the 1980's that we start to see "Unsalted" on the packaging. Land O'Lakes even publishes a booklet dedicated to the Unsalted Butter.

Vintage Recipe Kellogg's Krispies Marshmallow Squares using Elco Butter.

The First Rice Krispies Square

So, if we are to re-create the Original Rice Krispie Squares from 1940, for certain we will be using SALTED butter.

Also, today's recipe has eliminated "Vanilla." We will be bringing in Vanilla Extract. Welcome Back Vanilla!

The size of a whole box of the cereal was 5 ½ ounces. A small regular box today weighs 9 ounces.

4 Simple Ingredients

Ingredients: Rice Krispies, Salted Butter, Vanilla Extract, and Marshmallows.

This original recipe has four main flavors:

Kellogg's Rice Krispies Cereal
Salted Butter
Vanilla Extract
Marshmallows

Instructions Preview

To See the Full tutorial with Step-by-Step instructions, watch the video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. The buttering of the bowl, is one of the most important steps in the original recipe that is missing from todays.

Butter Your Hands

Butter the bowl
Butter pot
Butter the baking pan or dish
Non-Stick Reynolds Wrap Foil will save you from a big mess

If it's just for your family, butter your clean hands to press down into the pan. That is how they did it back in the 1940's.

New Tips and Tricks

New Tip-My new tip for you is to use Non-Stick foil to press the Krispies down into the pan. The Non-Stick side, of course.

Another tip- Don’t press them down too hard into the pan. That can make them soggy or too compacted.

Recipe Reflections

Look below, and you will see I've rewritten the original and scaled the recipe measurements to fit an 9-inch by 9-inch square baking pan as opposed to a 10 x 10. Primarily, square pans these days are most common to be 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 square. Any size (smaller rectangle) that you have will work fine.

I weighed all of the ingredients and converted them to numbers and cups. (Use dry style measuring cups, not a liquid measuring cup) We can use a saucepan directly on the burner. No need for a double boiler.

vintage scale and modern scale with ingredients.

Some things, are better left unchanged. Malitta and Mildred spent weeks perfecting their recipe. I think it's about time we honor these ladies and start making the original recipe.
The difference is Salted butter, vanilla and more marshmallow/butter-to-cereal ratio.

Rice krispie treats on blue Moon and Stars Cake Plate.

Other popular recipes that are 5 Ingredients or less:

Easiest Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings Quick 4 Ingredients

Easy Air Fry Caramelized Pineapple - 2 Ingredients

Rice Krispies squares on a blue moon and stars cake plate.

Original Rice Krispie Treat Recipe 1940’s

The very first Original Rice Krispie Squares Treats Recipe from 1940.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Love

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 20

Servings:

Author: Lanie Smith

Equipment

1 Large bowl
1 medium sauce pan
9 x 9 inch square pan

Ingredients

⅓ cup Salted butter plus extra for coating the bowl and pan
5 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal
36 Large Marshmallows or 5 cups of minis
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Butter the inside of a large mixing bowl and pour the cereal in. Set aside.
Rub the inside of baking dish or pan with butter. Set aside.
Rub the inside of the sauce pan or pot with butter.
In medium sauce pan, add the ⅓ cup salted butter along with the marshmallows and melt over Medium-Low heat. Stir until marshmallows are completely dissolved.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
Pour the hot mixture over the cereal. Briskly stir until well coated.
Using a buttered hand, a buttered spatula or a piece of non-stick foil (non-stick side), evenly press cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Let Cool.
Cut into squares and serve.

Video

Notes

Optional Special tips about sticking:

1) Rub the butter on the inside walls of the pot when melting the marshmallows.

2) Rub butter on the inside of the bowl when mixing the cereal.

3) Use non-stick foil side to press into pan or back of a buttered spatula-or large spoon. If it is just for your family, butter your clean hand to press into the dish.