If your tired of the sweetness of marshmallow bunnies and chocolate eggs, but can't resist the deals on leftover candy, here's an idea to use it all up.
Spring Marshmallow TreatsEven if your marshmallow chicks and marshmallow bunnies are a little stiff, this recipe will put them to good use. Throw in chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies, chocolate eggs, or whatever you happen to have left over from the egg hunts.
Ingredients:
- 12 Marshmallow chicks or bunnies
- 2 1/2 T butter
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 3 C crispy rice cereal
- Chocolate candies or other add-ins
Procedure:
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add butter. It is fine to leave it in one piece, but it will melt faster if you cut it up.
- When butter starts to melt, add marshmallows. If you are using more than one color of marshmallow bunnies or chicks, keep them separated in the pan for now. (See photo). If you stir them together, the color will turn out to be brown in the end.
- Allow marshmallows to melt. It may be helpful to flip the marshmallow chicks or bunnies over in the pan to prevent scorching. As you do so, some color may transfer between bunny sets, but as long as you don't stir yet, the color will still turn out in the end.
- Remove pan from heat.
- Pour vanilla over the top of the marshmallows. Make sure that there is some vanilla in each color of marshmallow.
- Pour cereal over the entire mixture. Add chocolate pieces, if desired.
- Wait for approximately thirty seconds and then stir, just to coat the cereal. Avoiding too much stirring will keep the colors separated to the extent possible while also keeping cereal pieces intact.
- Press mixture into an ungreased 9X9 inch pan. Use a buttered spoon or damp fingers to make this step easier.
- Allow to cool for 10 - 15 minutes and then cut into bars. Store in at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
You may choose to use a single color of marshmallows to make these Spring treats, or you may choose to mix the colors. Since it takes very little time to make marshmallow treats, you may make several batches in order to provide your family and friends with a variety of colors.
The best part of these treats is that you can enjoy, in moderation, the sugary sweetness of clearance candy. Adding cereal adds a fun crunch and a healthy dose of vitamin fortification that you and your kids can both appreciate. That is not to say, of course, that these treats are considered health food. They certainly are a welcome change from the undiluted sugar from the holidays.
Here are some variation ideas:
- Substitute two chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies for every regular marshmallow bunny.
- Cut up peanut butter-filled chocolate eggs.
- Add caramels.
- Use sprinkles.
- Put frosting on top.
Enjoy making Spring Marshmallow Treats as the seasons are changing and don't be afraid to change them up too. As long as you've got marshmallows and butter, you can add almost anything else you'd like to add.
