S’mores and Rice Krispie Treats, sittin’ in a tree…

Ki--ss--ing!   And just look at what that led to!

Those crazy kids--one thing led to another, and before you know it, we had a big old plate full of Rice Krispie S’mores Bars!   *sigh*  It’s ok, though--I’ll be happy to look after all the little ones.   What kind of girl would I be, to just toss them out to the curb, all alone to fend for themselves?  No, they can stay here in the warm kitchen--and heck, they can even stay for dessert!  mwahahaha!!!

How great would these be for the upcoming grilling and backyard barbeque season?  I mean, fire pits are a load of fun, but you all know it--ONE kid will spot the s’mores supplies and tell every single kid at your party that they found the loot in the kitchen.  Before you know it, you have a constant chorus of “When are we toasting marshmallows?”  “When are you starting the fire for the marshmallows?”  “When can we have s’mooooores?”  “Do we have sticks for the marshmallows?”  “Can I have twoooo?”

If it’s the same for any of you, you know that this barrage of questions can start as soon as the first guest is through the door.  And last. All. Day. Long.

So be prepared this time, and toss a plate of these at the kids!  They’ll be so busy chewing that they’ll forget all about the fire for toasting marshmallows.  The big kids will like these, too, in case you’re wondering.

These are easy, but do involve a small amount of construction work.  Small!  Basically, it’s two batches of Rice Krispies Treats, and we’re going to sandwich them together with a layer of melted chocolate, graham crackers, and Marshmallow Fluff.  If you can’t find Marshmallow Fluff, this site has substitutes for it.  They say:

marshmallow creme = marshmallow fluff  Shopping hints:  Kraft is a well-known brand.   To make your own:  Gently heat 16 ounces of marshmallows plus 1/4 cup corn syrup in a double boiler, stirring constantly.

If you look at the typed out recipe, it seems complicated, but it seriously isn’t!  Just read through it first and you’ll see.  It’s two super easy batches of Rice Krispies Treats, you put a few things in between, and stick them together.  So simple!

There are naked Hershey Bars somewhere in my kitchen!

Here is the layer with the chocolate, salt and grahams…

The second batch, on a parchment covered sheet pan, then spread with Fluff…

   

The goal--two layers, sandwiched together…

S'mores Rice Krispies Squares 
makes a 9x13 pan

For the two batches of Rice Krispies Treats:
6 tbsp butter, divided in half
2 (10 oz) bags regular marshmallows
1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
12 cups Rice Krispies (divided in half)

For the filling:
1- 6 pack (or 10 oz) Hershey Bars, or milk chocolate bars
kosher salt
graham crackers
Marshmallow Fluff (I didn't measure this, just enough to make a thin-ish layer)

Make the Rice Krispies Treats:

* I suppose you could do this in one large batch and divide it between 2 pans, but that seemed like it might be hard to work with, so I made them separately.  So...

Either lightly grease, or line a 9x13 pan with greased parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, add 6 cups of the Rice Krispies, and set aside.
Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large sauce pan over medium low heat. 
Add one bag of the regular marshmallows, PLUS an extra 1/2 cup of the mini mallows.
Stir until completely melted. 
Remove from heat, pour over the cereal, and mix well. 
Pour into the prepared pan, and press in firmly. 
Set aside.
Make the second batch, following the same procedure.

Start Construction!

Break the chocolate up into pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl.  (Or melt it any other way you like.)  This took about 2 minutes, stirring after the first and second minutes. 
Spread the chocolate over the first pan of Rice Krispies bars, to within about an inch of the edge.
Sprinkle with a bit of the kosher salt.
Working quickly, cover the still wet chocolate with graham cracker squares.  (I broke them into pieces to make cutting a bit easier.)
Set that aside to let the chocolate set.

When the chocolate has set, take the second pan of RK Bars, and take them out of the pan.  (Just run a knife around the edge, lightly lifting the edges as you go.)
Place them on a large baking sheet covered in a sheet of parchment paper, then spread some Marshmallow Fluff over them, again--to about an inch from the edge.
Carefully remove the chocolate and graham covered RK Bars out of their pan, flip them over, and place face down on the Marshmallow Fluff Covered bars.  You want the grahams meeting up with the Fluff.
Lightly press them together, and let them sit for 10 minutes or so.

Cut into squares for serving.

• Are these good?  Hell, yes!  Even better the second day.  They're chewy, crunchy, chocolaty, everything you want in a S'more.
• Are these good for you?  Well, no, not really.  But they’re not for everyday enjoyment, either.  Special occasions and parties, right?  And cut them kind of small.  I left a few large-cut ones for photos, and made them smaller right after their photo shoot.
• Easy?  Yes. 
• Good for upcoming summer parties and barbeques.  Someone always needs a dessert at the last minute!

Chex Mix Bars

My name is Elle, and I have a confession to make…

I love Chex Mix!   Doesn’t even have to be homemade--just toss a store bought bag at me and I’ll go to town.  And to make it even better?  I toss some peanuts and chocolate chips into the mix.  Because yeeeeah--that hits the spot!   Sweet?  Salty?  Crunchy?  Got it all covered--in one bag.

While at the store the other day, I saw a box of Chex Mix Bars and thought…”Well, geez, I can do that.”  So I bought the stuff to make them and headed home.  I knew, without question, that my add-ins had to be included.  So far?  We have Chex Mix (Traditional flavor!), peanuts--lightly salted, and chocolate.  To hold them together?  Marshmallows, all melty and gooood. 

Don’t leave anything out of the Chex Mix when you make these!  Those little crunchy toasts?  The ones coated in salty goodness?  Leave them in--just break them up a bit.  So easy, too.  I just followed the recipe for Rice Krispies Treats, using Chex Mix and peanuts instead of Rice Krispies. 

Chex Mix Bars

3 tablespoons  butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40)  regular marshmallows
   OR  4 cups  miniature marshmallows  (I used these)
5 cups  Traditional Chex Mix
1 cup lightly salted peanuts
about 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (save these for later when the bars are cooled and cut)

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat.
Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
Add Chex Mix and Peanuts.
Stir until well coated.
Press mixture into lightly greased 11x7 pan, set aside to cool. (To make this easy, spray your hands with a bit of cooking spray.)
When cool, remove from pan and cut into squares.
Melt chocolate chips and pour into small zip top bag, snip off a tiny bit at the corner.
Drizzle chocolate over the bars, and set them aside for the chocolate to set up.
(I drizzled the chocolate on the bars over parchment, for easy clean up.)

How do they taste?  So good!  There’s crunchy from the Chex Mix and peanuts, a bit of gooey from the marshmallows, some salty goodness, and some sweet in there, too.  I think it’s the perfect snack bar.  It’s got it all.