A smooth, decadent caramel filling sandwiched between two crispy rice layers and topped with rich chocolate makes these caramel bars with chocolate crispy rice irresistible. They’re a favorite cookie bar that disappears quickly!

Caramel Chocolate Crispy Rice Bars stacked on a plate.

The recipe for these favorite squares has been in my recipe binder for years! I had them at a friend’s house, and she copied the recipe, titled “Silly Toffee Squares,” for me. I have no idea why they were named “silly,” except maybe because they’re silly good! ;)

I made them over and over for our family, and our kids just loved them. Honestly, I could eat the entire pan myself!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

This recipe is quite different from a classic Rice Krispies bar. The crispy rice cereal is used in the baked base of the squares, then used again, mixed with chocolate, for the crunchy top layer.

The star of this caramel bar recipe, though, is the smooth, decadent homemade caramel filling. It’s absolutely divine between the two crunchy layers.

Like many other cookie bar recipes I make, these can be made ahead and frozen if you’re expecting company.

Ingredients for these Yummy Chocolate Bar Squares

(Refer to the printable recipe card below for exact measurements.)

For the base:

All-purpose flour – creates a sturdy, lightly sweet baked base
Crispy rice cereal – adds crunch and texture to the bars
Baking soda – helps the base bake evenly
Salt – balances the sweetness
Light brown sugar – adds sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor
Unsalted butter – brings richness and binds the base together

For the caramel layer:

Sweetened condensed milk – the foundation of the smooth, creamy caramel
Unsalted butter – adds richness and silkiness to the caramel
Brown sugar – deepens the caramel flavor

For the topping

Semi-sweet chocolate chips – melted for a rich chocolate layer
Crispy rice cereal – stirred into the chocolate for a crunchy topping

Ingredients for caramel bars with chocolate crispy rice topping

Step-by-step photos of these crispy rice bars with caramel filling

For exact instructions, refer to the recipe card above.

The Rice Krispies base pressed into the bottom of a parchment paper lined baking pan. — Press the crispy rice cereal base into the bottom of a parchment-lined pan and bake.

Caramel filling in a saucepan for Chocolate Caramel crispy rice bars — Stir the caramel filling continuously until it has boiled for 5 minutes and is thick and creamy.

An 8 x 8 baking pan lined with parchment paper with the crispy rice base and caramel filling for chocolate caramel crispy rice squares — Pour the caramel filling over the baked crust once it has cooled.

Melted chocolate in a mixing bowl to be used for crispy rice chocolate bar recipe. — Melt the chocolate in the microwave and stir until smooth.

Rice Krispies being stirred into melted chocolate for the top layer of caramel chocolate rice crispies squares. — Stir Rice Krispies cereal into the chocolate.

A finished pan of caramel chocolate crispy rice squares. — Drop the chocolate Rice Krispies mixture over the top of the caramel in little bits, using 2 forks.

Tips & Tricks

Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it so much easier to remove the squares.
Be sure to stir the caramel filling continuously as it cooks over medium heat. It’s normal for it to have a few small bits of thicker caramel in it. Try to prevent sticking as much as possible, but don’t worry if a few bits stick at the end. It will still taste amazing.
Take your time placing the chocolate-covered Rice Krispies on top of the caramel. Drop them with 2 forks a little at a time and slowly work your way across the whole surface.

Substitutions

If you want to make these cookie bars but don’t have Rice Krispies cereal on hand, Special K cereal works well, too. I’d crush it up a bit before using it, but it should yield the same overall flavor and texture.

How to serve these cookie bar squares

Once the bars have cooled completely, slice them with a sharp knife that has been heated by running it under hot water. That helps it cut the squares nice and smooth.

Chocolate Caramel Rice Krispy Bars cut and stacked on a cookie platter.

Equipment

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For these cookie bars, I used my favorite professional 8-inch baking pan. I love how it makes all the squares perfectly square (corners included!)

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Storage

Store these cookie bars in an airtight container or sealed ziploc bag in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. If you need to keep them longer, place them in an airtight container or sealed ziploc bag in the freezer.