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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Mint Chip Crispy Rice Treats


UPDATE 2/14/14: I'm thrilled so many of you are loving this recipe. It's certainly a popular one on Pinterest. I'd love to have you drop by my new site My Midwest Table and see what I'm posting there. Oh, and you can find these treats over there, too, in a great printable format!

There was a time in my life that I couldn’t make crispy rice treats. That was also the time in my life when I spent my summer babysitting the most fun kids ever, when I could eat as much Schwan’s Raspberry Rumble ice cream as I could stand and not gain pound, and when the most important decision I had to make was what swimsuit to wear to the pool. Oh, that was a good time.

Except for the fact that I couldn’t make crispy rice treats to save my life. Believe me, I tried. And I failed. Those kids I babysat? Yeah, they would tell you I failed. Terribly. Now, 11 years later, I look back on that time and wonder what the heck? How did I mess up crispy rice treats? How?

The treats were hard as a rock. No knife was going to cut them. So, doing what any great (?) babysitter would do, I turned this kitchen disaster into a learning moment. For the kids, of course. We threw that 9 x 13 inch brick of cereal into the yard, thinking (me hoping, really) the birds would love it and that we would be able to identify tons of them. Not a chance. No critter came close to it. You’re wondering if the Nebraska sun and humidity softened the brick? Hardly.

Fast forward to today. I am proud to report that I have conquered the crispy rice hill. That’s only slightly embarrassing.


These Mint Chip Crispy Rice Treats are ridiculously good. And soft. And such a festive dessert for March, especially when everyone’s thinking of and seeing green.

I attribute the softness of the treats to the whole stick of butter. You and I both know that more butter is better. The mint flavor in these treats is perfect. It isn’t too minty. Not like a stick of gum. That wouldn't be good. The chocolate mint topping takes these treats, well, over the top. Sorry not sorry for that play on words.


And of course, what’s Mint Chip Crispy Rice Treats without chips? The mini chocolate chips are the cutest sprinkled over the chocolate topping.


These treats have the seal of approval from my boys! Just look at those chocolate smiles.

I can guarantee you these won’t have to be thrown into the yard for the wildlife in your neighborhood. But they would probably enjoy the chocolate mint goodness.











 
 Mint Chip Crispy Rice Treats
An Ashley Original

Crispy Rice Treats
5-3/4 cups crispy rice cereal
8 tsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 10.5 oz. bag marshmallows
3/8 tsp. mint extract
Green food coloring

Chocolate Mint Topping
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 tsp. mint extract
1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (for sprinkling)

Butter (or spray with non-stick baking spray) a 8 in. x 8 in. OR a 9 in. x 9 in baking dish. Measure crispy rice cereal into a medium-sized bowl and set aside. In a large cooking pot, melt the stick of butter on medium-low heat. Add marshmallows to the pot. Stir constantly with a spatula to melt the marshmallows, creating a smooth mixture. Add mint extract and green food coloring to reach the color of preference. Add the crispy rice cereal and stir well, coating the cereal evenly by the marshmallow mixture. Pour the crispy cereal rice into the baking dish, and spread the cereal into the dish evenly with the spatula.

In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips until they become smooth. Add the mint extract and stir well. Pour the chocolate onto the crispy rice treats, and spread the chocolate evenly over the treats. Sprinkle the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips over the melted chocolate. Cool completely and let the chocolate set before cutting. The treats may be refrigerated to set the chocolate quickly; remove bars about 20 minutes before cutting. Store in an air-tight container. Makes 9-16 treats, depending on the size cut.

6 comments:

  1. These are so very perfect for March! And look at those cute boys and their chocolate smile!!

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  2. These are adorable! And so festive for this month. I love mint and chocolate together. I just made minty chocolate brownies last night. :)

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  3. I have such a thing for Krispie treats, and these look amazing Ashley!!

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