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February 15, 2011

Baking with Carla: Heart-shaped Rice Krispies Treats




I resisted making a Valentine’s day post. I even resisted making Valentine’s day treats. No, Wally did not get any heart-shaped treat yesterday. I do not like this holiday and I do not share the excitement behind it. I believe it’s a very materialistic holiday and I don’t like the idea that on the 14th of February you make up for everything by telling those you love that you do love them. I try hard to make that happen every day of the year.

Having said that, Carla is a kid and living the US she is immersed in this culture. Kids talk and celebrate V-Day at school, which I think it’s really ridiculous but, hey, that’s how things go…I can’t change the world. Surfing the net looking for a quick recipe to make with her (and having already failed a savory recipe that I was planning), I found these heart-shaped rice Krispies treats and I though she would have fun making them. 

They were also fitting my idea of starting to use new ingredients to bake with Carla, so that she could see how creative you can get and how you can pull out something good from anything. Plus, these are no-bake treats. You just have a 5-minute time on the stove but that’s it.

The rice Krispies and the mini-marshmallows in this recipe were ideal as “new ingredients” in our repertoire. The final treats turned out ok. Actually, Carla and even her parents liked them. I don’t think I will ever want to try this kind of stuff again in my life. As per the child-friendly….I have my doubts about it! If by child friendly you mean a silly recipe that include children-beloved ingredients. This is a child friendly recipe. But you can’t really say you give ownership on the recipe with this one. Stirring the marshmallows on the stove (already dangerous for a kid) is very hard. Mixing the rice Krispies into that sticky thing is even worse. But hey, don’t get me wrong. I like to try anything so I’m still glad I did.


Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
                   
                  3 tbsp butter
                  6 cups mini (or 60 regular-size) marshmallows
                  red food coloring
                  6 cups Rice Krispies cereal


Method

 Lightly coat a 10by15” baking sheet with cooking spray and set it aside.

Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows, stirring them continuously until they melt. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in drops of red food coloring until you obtain the desired color.

 Add the Rice Krispies, stirring until they are evenly coated with marshmallow.
                   
  Spoon the mixture onto the baking sheet. With waxed paper or lightly buttered hands smooth out the mixture, spreading it to an even thickness.
                   
Cut out hearts with the cookie cutter.

Have a sweet day!

Source: adapted from Disney Family Fun, where you can also find the video of how to make these quick treats

20 comments:

  1. Sara, I love your honesty. It's refreshing. I've even told my husband about you, saying that he'd really like you because he appreciates that, too (he's the same way). I share your sentiment about VD in that love should be an everyday effort, not just one day a year. You're so right. That's said, the rice crispy hearts still turned out beautiful to me. :-)

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  2. Personally, I think rice crispy treats are best when you toss peanut butter into the mix! I didn't celebrate V-day with roses either, but I can always get behind cute, pink treats :)

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  3. Although I do tend to go crazy with heart shaped cookies and other food, I can burn out on it fast. Not a big fan of rice crispy treats either. You did a good thing for Carla and hopefully she'll be in love with Valentine's Day for years to come.

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  4. These are so adorable. When was little Rice Krispie Treats were my favorite thing to eat. I just mught have to re-live some childhood memories :)

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  5. Looks really delicious. You can make smaller ones and have it everyday - Valentines Day everyday:)

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  6. Bravo to you and your thoughts on Valentine's Day. We don't do anything special for the day, no cards, no flowers, no extra expense. I did, however, have to buy cards and candies for Dudette to hand out at school.

    Your rice krispies heart is beautiful. I admit that I adore rice krispies treats. Always have, always will. :)

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  7. Yeah - I don't like to make a big deal either but the kiddos do that to us. I like to make something little for my preschooler just because he's so excited about it all. These look fun! Good for you!

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  8. Kudos to you on your stand on cupids day! :) I didn't get a thing from Mountain Man haha I do however, wish I had some of these because I happen to LOVE rice krispie treats!

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  9. I never thought about rice krispy treats being dangerous to make with kids, but you're right. The marshmallows would not be a good thing to stick your finger in while it's hot (it's like hot cheese or sugar!)

    It is quite a commercial day built up on high expectations and cash registers cashing in on all kinds of items made just for this day.

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  10. Wow, you did such a wonderful job with sculpting that heart - Bravo!!
    I share the same feelings with you about this holiday...I'm not into it either, but just as you, how do I explain "hallmark holiday" to my 11 year old cousin that has talked about making treats with me for this holiday every day since the end of the Xmas holidays. ~shrug~

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  11. Quanto mi fai ridere! Stavo spiegando l'altro giorno il concetto di San Valentino alla mia amica Barese chi vive qui. You may not like the holiday, but you certainly made a super cute dessert with Carla!!:)

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  12. I love your Rice Krispie treats. I'm sure Carla was thrilled. I almost think I made them once (in the microwave??) Would have been a long time ago.

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  13. LOL, so I take it you really do not like Valentine's Day ;o) I love how refreshingly honest you are about it. I don't mind rice krispy treats, but didn't grow up with them and it's certainly nothing I need to have. Every once in a while (like once a year) they are fun though :o)

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  14. I'm glad you made this even if you don't like Valentine's day. It's super cute.

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  15. hi Sara

    you are absolutely right, we have commercialized so many holidays that we forget what they were actually for. Now let me tell you that I do love rice krispy treats!! so much to the point that I can't stop eating them when they are around...sigh
    I would have loved that heart that you and Carla made!
    cheers
    Dennis

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  16. What a cute treat! My son would love this:)

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  17. Sara,
    I agree, we should love each other every day and show it! My kids like them, but only if I put peanut butter in them. Fun for kids, but I think with all the great things you are able to bake, they pale in comparison. Hopefully your schedule will lighten up, so you and Carla can have more fun in the kitchen.
    -Gina-

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  18. I made my firs krispie treats about 15 years ago and it was a sticky disaster. I never made them again until my kids begged for them and asked for the prepackaged kind. I don't do prepackaged very often so I figured I'd better figure out how to make them. We did, but I don't like them plain.
    You're a good sport to make them with her!

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  19. You're so right about how supposedly "kid friendly" recipes can actually spell trouble for them in the kitchen! But your pink crispy heart is really pretty.

    I wish my man would be more attentive all year round - same old same old LOL That would render VD superfluous and I think I would quite like that because one day out of the whole year, just isn't enough, is it? ;)

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