Traditional Treats with a zing!
As a kid, I always made Rice Krispies Treats with added Red Hots or Cinnamon Imperials right around February. Cinnamon Imperials and Red Hots were very popular for Valentines Day baking when I was a kid. I believe they even made heart shaped Cinnamon Imperials. This is my Rice Krispies Treats recipe which is just slightly different from the original recipe and of course I added the Cinnamon Imperials and drizzled a little melted Chocolate on top and added just a few sprinkles. These are a perfect Valentines Day treat.
RED HOT RICE KRISPIES TREATS
Ingredients:
- 7 Cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter
- 1 (10 oz.) package Mini Marshmallows
- 1/2 Cup Cinnamon Imperials
- 1 (4 oz.) White Chocolate Premium Baking Bar
- 10-12 Drops Red Oil Based Food Coloring
- Red & Pink Sprinkles
Directions:
1. Line an 8.5 x 11 or 9 x 9 pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a large dutch oven or stock pot, melt the Butter over low heat. (Save the wrapper from the stick of Butter)
3. Once the Butter is melted, stir in the Marshmallows. Continue to stir until the Marshmallows are completely melted and combined with the Butter.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and fold in the Rice Krispies and the Red Hots, ensuring the Marsmallow coating is evenly distributed in the Rice Krispies.
5. Transfer the Rice Krispies mixture into the prepared pan. Using the Butter wrapper, press down the Rice Kripies mixture so it is even in the pan. The Butter wrapper doesn’t stick because it has remenants of Butter on it. It works like a charm!
6. Allow the Rice Krispies Treats to cool completely.
7. Melt the White Chocolate according to package directions. I use a mini crockpot. Add about 10-12 drops of the Red Food Coloring in to the Chocolate. You can add more or less depending how pink or red you want the Chocolate to be. Just be sure you are using an oil based food cloring or your Chocolate will seize up.
8. Remove the cooled Rice Krispies Treats from the pan by lifting up the parchment paper. Transfer the Rice Krispies Treats to a cutting board. Rub a bit of Butter on the blade of the knife, this will ensure the Bars do not stick to the knife. Cut the Bars into 2 x 2 inch squares. You should get about 16 Bars. Transfer the Bars to a cookie cooling rack set on a sheet pan. The sheet pan will catch any of the melted Chocolate for easier cleanup.
9. Now drizzle the melted Chocolate on top of each Bar, then add a few sprinkles on top of the Chocolate.
10. Allow the Chocolate to set up on the Bars then transfer them to a serving platter or store in an air tight container. Best to eat these bars within 2 days, if they last that long!
Recipe by:
Hot Dish Homemaker