1-Step 1: Prepare Your Pan Before you even turn on the stove, get your pan ready. Grease a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray or butter. This prevents the treats from sticking and makes removal so much easier. If you prefer thicker, more substantial bars, use two 8×8 inch pans instead. Either way, make sure to coat the corners and edges really well since that’s where sticking tends to happen most.

2-Step 2: Melt the Butter Place your large stockpot on the stove over low heat. This is crucial! High heat will burn the butter and make your treats taste bitter. Add 1/2 cup of unsalted butter and let it melt slowly, swirling the pot occasionally to help it along. Patience here pays off with smooth, creamy results. Once the butter is completely melted and starting to bubble slightly, you’re ready for the next step.

3-Step 3: Add Salt and Marshmallows If you’re using unsalted butter and want that extra flavor dimension, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the melted butter. Now pour in the entire 16 oz bag of mini marshmallows. Using a rubber spatula (which marshmallows stick to less than other utensils), begin stirring constantly. You’ll see the marshmallows transform from fluffy clouds to a smooth, glossy mixture. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush it by turning up the heat; slow and steady wins this race.

4-Step 4: Remove from Heat and Fold in Cereal Once your marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture looks smooth and uniform, remove the pot from the heat immediately. Working quickly now is essential because the marshmallow mixture will start to firm up as it cools. Pour in your entire 11.5 oz box of Lucky Charms cereal (that’s about 8 to 9 cups). Gently fold the cereal into the marshmallow mixture using your rubber spatula. The word “gently” is important here; you want to coat all the cereal pieces without crushing them or breaking up those beautiful colorful marshmallows. Use a folding motion rather than stirring, bringing the bottom cereal up and over the top. Continue until every piece is evenly coated with that gooey marshmallow mixture.

5-Step 5: Transfer to Pan and Press Pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Now here’s a secret that separates good treats from great ones: press gently. Many people make the mistake of packing the mixture down hard, which results in dense, heavy bars. Instead, use light pressure to spread the mixture into an even layer. Grease your hands with a little cooking spray or butter first to prevent sticking, then lightly press the mixture down. This keeps your bars light, fluffy, and perfectly chewy.

6-Step 6: Cool and Cut Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting. This usually takes about 30-60 minutes at room temperature. Trying to cut them while they’re still warm will give you messy, misshapen squares. Once cooled, turn the treats out onto a cutting board (or cut directly in the pan) and slice into squares. A standard 9×13 pan yields about 16 good-sized bars, but you can cut them smaller or larger depending on your needs.