Tag: treats

Desserts · Holidays

Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispie Treats

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Happy Valentine’s Day! A sweet treat on this holiday is special and I loved how simple and delicious these treats were. My granddaughters assisted in the making, especially the sprinkles! Why have I never thought of adding flavoring to Rice Krispie Treats? Next time I would a pinch more cherry extract but they were delicious made per the recipe. If you want to really creative, you could use cookie cutters to cut out hearts from the treats (and nibble on the extras while you work)! Now I’m wondering about making some next Christmas with peppermint or candy cane flavoring. The possibilities are endless.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispie Treats

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 10 oz bag mini marshmallows
  • 1 teaspoon cherry extract (can increase if more intense flavor is desired)
  • 4-5 drops red or pink food coloring, optional
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Grease the 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the cherry extract. If using, add red or pink food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
  4. Add the Rice Krispies cereal, stirring quickly to coat every piece with the melted marshmallow mixture.
  5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or lightly greased hands to gently press down and create an even layer. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before adding the chocolate topping.
  6. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil (or butter) in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
  7. Pour the melted chocolate over the cooled Rice Krispie layer. Use a spatula to spread evenly across the surface.
  8. Allow the chocolate to set completely before slicing (about 30 minutes at room temperature or 15 minutes in the fridge).
  9. Cut into squares and serve!

Recipe from Emily Parker from Fique

Candy · Holidays

Bunny Munch

cathysmahaLeave a comment

What fun it is to plan holiday treats for the grandkids. The kids get the usual chocolate bunnies, Peeps, etc. from their parents so Bunny Munch was just the ticket for Grandma Cathy to make. We all love popcorn and with the additional of the sweet treats, it is decandent and addictive. It’s good thing I’ll only make this once a year!

Bunny Munch

INGREDIENTS:
  • 12 cups popped popcorn (~1/3 cup kernels)
  • 2 cups gluten free pretzel sticks (I like Snyder’s GF)
  • 1-1/2 cups peanuts
  • 12oz bag gluten free white chocolate chips
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil
  • 11oz bag M&Ms (Fork-Lore: I found Rice Krispie M&Ms for Easter and loved using those)
  • gluten free sprinkles, optional
  • coarse sea salt, optional
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Spread a couple sheets of parchment paper, wax paper, or two silpats onto the countertop then set aside.
  2. Add popcorn, pretzel sticks, and peanuts to a very large bowl — if you don’t have an XL bowl, use two large bowls — then set aside.
  3. Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 40 seconds and stir. Microwave for 30 seconds then stir. If chocolate chips aren’t completely smooth, continue microwaving in 10 seconds increments, stirring between increments, until completely melted.
  4. Drizzle chocolate over popcorn mixture then gently fold with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Spread mixture out onto prepared surface then immediately sprinkle with M&Ms (may not use whole bag) and press gently so they adhere to the warm chocolate. Add sprinkles and a big pinch of coarse sea salt, if using, then let Bunny Munch cool completely. Transfer to treat bags or an airtight container.
  5. (Fork-Lore: I bagged the Bunny Munch in individual bags to give the grandkids in their Easter basket).

Recipe from IowaGirlEats

Desserts · Holidays

Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats Snowballs

cathysmaha1 Comment

Rice Krispie Treats are a family favorite and I love peppermint so this sounded like a fun, simple recipe to make. The results are cute, the perfect snack to leave for Santa Clause (and his helpers).  It’s best to eat the treats within a couple of days as they tend to lose their ‘snap, crackle, pop’.

PEPPERMINT RICE KRISPIE TREATS SNOWBALLS

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2-14 Oz. bags White Candy Melts
6 cups Rice Krispies® cereal
⅓ cup crushed candy canes
1 10 oz. package marshmallows
¼ cup butter

  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat.
  • Add in the marshmallows and allow them to melt completely.
  • Add in the crushed candy canes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies®.
  • If making balls, pull out heaping tablespoons from the pan and roll into balls. Add a candy can into the center of each ball.
  • If making cut out shapes, press the Rice Krispies® mixture into a pan prepared with cooking spray.
  • Allow to cool for about five to ten minutes and then cut out your favorite shapes.
  • Add a candy cane into the top end of the treat.
  • Place your finished treats into the fridge for about 15 minutes to cool down.
  • Melt the candy melts according to package directions and add in the vegetable oil to thin the mixture.
  • Dip your cooled treats into the chocolate, sprinkle or decorate, and set aside to cool and harden completely.
  • Note: For a quicker version, simply substitute one 12 oz. bag of white chocolate chips for the melts and oil. Add the chips in with the marshmallows and heat until completely melted. Proceed with adding the candy canes and Rice Krispies®. You can then roll your balls and add sprinkles to the still warm treat.

Recipe from SheWearsManyHats.com

Halloween Memories
Family · Family Favorites · Home · My Roots

Halloween Memories

cathysmaha3 Comments

Halloween on the farm was a far different experience than my current city experience. Childhood costumes were simple, always with a hot plastic or rubber mask. Note our fancy trick or treat bags! We couldn’t run from house to house but instead our parents drove us to our neighbors farms.  We collected wonderful home-made goodies while our parents visited for a while.  At the end of the night, we visited 6 to 8 houses but came home with luscious home-made popcorn balls, cookies, caramel apples, and full size candy bars.

Halloween on the Farm about 1959

My children never experienced the wonders of home-made goodies, ruined by the scare of Halloween candy tampering.  None-the-less, they had a wonderful time running from house to house in our suburban neighborhood yelling ‘trick or treat’ and collecting their Halloween bounty. Masks were not a favorite (thank goodness) but costumes were pretty traditional and fun. Our AT&T office hosted a family Halloween party letting the kids gather treats at each office and cubicle. Good times!

Sarah Mom Megan Halloween 1990

Fast forward to 2015 and grandson, Evan’s, Halloween experience.  His favorite character today is from the movie FROZEN and we were fortunate enough to find the darling OLAF costume on Amazon.com.

Evan as Olaf

Evan has been to his first corn maze and is in awe of the amazing (and sometimes scary) Halloween decorations. He’ll be out gathering treats in the neighborhood and celebrating with his little friends.  As his little 3 year old girlfriend says, they’ll be out ‘Candy Tricking’.  Love this age!

Next Halloween we’ll have a baby girl in our family joining the Halloween fun. We’ll anxiously await the arrival of ‘lil pumpkin in November.

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful Halloween!