SALTED CARAMEL RICE KRISPY TRESTS

BARS --
3 tablespoons butter
14 unwrapped caramels or 2.5 cups bits
4 cups miniature marshmallows (6.6-7oz)
1 tsp sea salt (kosher or flake)
1 tsp vanilla
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal

OPTIONAL CARAMEL TOPPING –
1/8 Cup Butter, melted
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Corn Syrup
1/4 Cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pinch of Salt
1/8 tsp vanilla

TO MAKE BARS

In a medium sauce pan melt butter and caramel pieces over medium heat for 3 minutes stirring with a wooden spoon.

Add marshmallows and salt. Continue to stir until marshmallows and caramel are melted down.

Remove from heat add vanilla and cereal. Blend well.

Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. Transfer hot mixture to pan, pressing down evenly using another piece of parchment paper.

Top with Caramel if desired (see below)

Allow to cool for 20 minutes.

TO MAKE CARAMEL TOPPING –

In an 4 cup or larger microwave safe bowl mix together all topping ingredients except vanilla.

Microwave on high 2 minutes
Stir

Again, Microwave on high 2 minutes
Stir

Take temp of caramel should be between 235-240 to stay soft.

If not quite there, go 30 seconds at a time.  It'll turn fast and you don't want to burn it.

Add in: 1/8 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Stir

Pour over bars
***if desired, sprinkle with chocolate, salt, nuts, etc.