Sometimes, no matter how you try and repress childhood memories, well the bad ones at least, they still come back to haunt and intimidate you. The good memories I have, which are few and far between, seem to mostly center around food. One of these was the first time my mother made rice krispies treats for me. They were so gooey, yet crunchy and deliciously sweet! But she only made them once as she felt the "mess in the pan" wasn't worth the effort.
As I grew older, I was able to obtain these treats in stores, and eventually learned to make them myself once I adopted my son. Seeing how much he enjoyed them was worth the work, and he even asked me to make them as he went into teenage years and adulthood. I don't understand why the big fuss over the "mess in the pan" as it easily cleans out with hot soapy water and a sponge anyway.
Anyway, a little history about this childhood treat; it was invented in 1939 by Malitta Jensen and Mildred Day, and the Kellogg’s Company, to help raise money for the Campfire Girls Foundation. It was a simple recipe of melted butter and mini-marshmallows mixed into rice krispies, allowed to cool, cut up into squares and enjoyed. Nowadays, this simple recipe can include any manner of mixture from different types of cereal, toasted oatmeal or crushed granola. Additions of candy bits, chopped nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, or drizzled with chocolate or caramel creates a treat for those of a more “refined palate”. Oh, who am I kidding, they just taste even better!
Oh, a little history on the correct spelling of the treat’s name. The official spelling for the famous cereal and treats is Krispies with an "ies," though "crispy" is the normal English word for crunchiness. Kellogg's Rice Krispies uses the stylized "K" brand name, in other words, “K” for Kellogg’s, so “K” for Krispies. However, folks commonly spell the homemade marshmallow squares as "rice krispie treats”, “crispy treats", or “rice krispy treats”. I know, who cares, just have fun making, and then eating, them.
Making treats nowadays might take a little more calculation too, depending on the density of the cereal used plus any other added ingredients, and the size of the pan used as well. Normally it is 1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons), 1 (10 ounce) package of mini-marshmallows (they melt quicker) and 6 cups of rice krispies cereal. It is all pressed into a greased (with butter) 2-quart rectangular baking dish; cooled for an hour and then cut into squares. While the butter and marshmallows can be melted in a stovetop pan, nowadays a microwave is more convenient and makes it easier to control the melting process to avoid burning.
Just last week I made treats with additions of dark chocolate chips and toffee bits. Hubby, and my favorite taste testers at the local 7-11/Exxon, were very happy with the combination.
Personally, I prefer the original version, but I have made them with the addition of crunchy peanut butter, and they were devoured in a couple of days. Here’s the recipe for that version.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients:
7 cups rice krispies cereal
1 stick (8 Tbsp.) salted butter plus 1/2 Tbsp. for greasing dish
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 (10 oz.) bag mini-marshmallows (make sure they are fresh!)
Preparation:
Into a large mixing bowl, measure out 7 cups of rice krispies cereal; lightly grease a 2-quart rectangular baking dish with butter.
Into a medium mixing bowl, melt the butter and peanut butter in the microwave for 45 seconds; add in the marshmallows and toss to coat. Microwave for 60 seconds, mix thoroughly; microwave another 30 seconds, mix and pour over cereal. Using a sturdy spoon, mix together so the cereal is thoroughly incorporated. Put the mixture into the baking dish and press out to the sides as evenly as possible; cover with plastic wrap and let cool on counter for one hour. Cut into squares and enjoy.
How many does it make? It all depends on the size of the squares that are cut.
Do yourself a favor and spoil your inner child once in a while; you deserve it. Oh, and if you have children, spoil them once in a while too, and give them fond memories for adulthood.
Mary Cokenour
