Rice Krispies treats are a snack that are nostalgic for many. These easy-to-make squares are a staple at kids’ parties and once were a common after school snack. But, they aren’t just for kids. These Black Sesame Rice Krispies Treats bring a subtle flavor and appearance to this classic that makes them fully grown up. But, don’t worry they still have the same wonderful marshmallow flavor (and crunch) as you remember- with a bit of toasty flavor added in.

For this recipe we’re using black sesame seeds. This type is usually found in the Asian foods section of the grocery and comes from a plant that produces more color in the seed. This color correlates to a deeper flavor as well, just a little bit nuttier than its pale counterpart. A quick toasting in a dry pan deepens that flavor even more.

A quick couple of pulses in a spice grinder gets these sesame seeds into a fine powder in no time. If you’re using a food processor or mortar and pestle it can take longer and/or result in larger pieces, so use the preferred spice (or coffee) grinder if you can. Just make sure it’s clean before you add the sesame seeds.

Combined with the honey and the butter the result is that these treats have a more complex flavor than their plain cousins.

How to Adjust This Recipe

You can use light corn syrup instead of honey. The honey adds a nice flavor of its own, but some might prefer a more neutral taste. If that’s you just use corn syrup instead.

For more flavor we’re using salted butter. It gives a nice contrast to the nutty sesame and vanilla-like marshmallows. But, if you want to cut down on salt you can make this with unsalted butter just as easily.

If you’re short on time and don’t want to dirty another pan you can skip the toasting step. The flavor will be a bit lighter, but still very delicious.

For more sesame flavor you can increase the quantity of black sesame seeds for this recipe. This is a matter of personal taste, so each cook might go for a different flavor profile.

When in doubt, make the recipe once as written then make adjustments on the second batch. The downside to this method is that you need to try more than one batch of these Black Sesame Rice Krispies Treats – if you can call that a downside!