The Kitchen Tool To Avoid The Mess Of Cutting Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies treats are pretty sublime. The recipe for this sweet treat that we know and love has been around since 1940, and it is still as popular today as it was when it first made its debut. That dense, sticky, and chewy mixture of melted marshmallows and crispy rice cereal is what someone with a sweet tooth dreams about eating.

Of course, the very reason why we love this sugary snack is the same reason why the experience of cutting them into squares can be so frustrating. The firm consistency that develops once the mixture cools can make it feel like you are trying to slice through a brick.

However, not allowing your Rice Krispies treats to cool before you start divvying them up into equally sized pieces can also make a mess. The gooey marshmallow coating can stick to the knife and make for a troublesome clean-up. This is why the directions instruct the impatient to go against their nature and wait until these treats have solidified and cooled.

So, what should a lover of this cereal bar do when it comes time to slice up a pan of this goodness? Luckily, there is a kitchen tool to avoid this messy situation (and this easy Rice Krispie treat trick can help keep your hands clean too).

If you want to make Rice Krispies treats while avoiding the messy hassle of cutting them up, you should break out your muffin tin. Grease each cup with non-stick cooking spray or your preferred option, and then spoon and press in the cereal-marshmallow mixture. It's really that easy.

You still have to exercise some patience and allow them to cool, but once they do, they are ready to eat — no cutting required. Sure, this version doesn't have the iconic square shape, but that's really all you are sacrificing by using the muffin pan.   

However, if you are unable to forgo the beloved square, you could also try greasing your knife or pizza cutter to help it glide through this sticky treat. If that doesn't make this task any easier, try using a serrated knife. And if that still doesn't do the job, try placing a flat spatula on the treats to hold them down and provide a little leverage while cutting.