I used to keep a jumbo box of Rice Crispies and a party-sized bag of Mini marshmallows in the house just to make Rice Crispies Treats whenever the craving struck. Those days are gone (along with my girlish figure) – but I still love to make this iconic treat for the holidays!
‘All-in’ elevated Rice Crispy Treats: Chocolate Peanut Butter with
Mini M&Ms. Moulded round for cutting in Wedges!
Rice Crispies Treats were invented in 1939 in the Kellogg’s test kitchens, by recipe developers Malitta Jensen and Mildred Day, as a way of getting us all to buy more cereal. Nothing unusual about that…
An instant legend
But they proved such a winner that they took on a life of their own. To the point that the brand didn’t have to publicise Treats anymore. Every ‘homemaker’s’ magazine and family cook book since the end of the Second World War has published the ‘Original Recipe’.
With just 4 ingredients – including the ubiquitous dash of vanilla – Rice Crispies Treats may be the simplest recipe since boiled water. Make them once, and you can make them from memory forever after.
A resurgence
In recent years, Rice Crispies Treats have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity owing to an interest by younger generations in retro foods. But the kids (Millennials and those coming after) have not been content to simply revive the Original Recipe.
Kellogg’s has a record of improving on already-good things. In 1995, they officially introduced Choc-olate Flavoured RC Treats. And that got fans thinking about even more ways to enhance the classic.
In the past year or so, I’ve been hearing about new recipes that take that trend even further, even into the realm of ‘Adult’ versions….
Seasonal Additions
Most Treats fans will already be aware of the potential to use the Original Recipe as a blank ‘canvas’ on which to create their own versions of the classic, enhanced with additions such as chocolate chips, sprinkles and seasonal ingredients.
The Year-end Holidays cry out for seasonal flavouring additions such as peppermint extract or crushed candy canes. Fall and Winter in general just naturally suggest adding some for cinnamon, cloves and allspice (mulling spice flavours).
Layered or Filled Treats
The more intrepid among you may want to invest a little more elbow grease and attempt layered or even ‘filled’ RC Treats. I suggest you divide your hot Treats mic into two (or more) thin-layered batches to cool.
When cooled, you can top one layer with any frosting or filling you choose, and just set the other layer of Treats on top of that… Always refrigerate layered Treats for at least 1/2 hour after assembly to ensure they are firm enough to slice ‘neat and tidy’…
Rainbow Treats (left) are another possibility using the ‘layers’ method.
Kids’ favourites
Smarties, M&Ms or Skittles work well. Chocolate Chips (Dark,Milk or White) are popular. Sprinkles, mini gummy candies, and other edible notions from the Baking aislt all offer their possibilities.
Just be sure, when adding these sorts of things, to put them in right at the very end – folding them quickly but gently into the molten Treats mix last thing before you dump the batch into its cooling pan. This will ensure that they don’t just melt into weird-looking blobs and streaks…
‘Topped’ or Moulded Treats
Another option is topping or frosting your RC Treats (see photo, left). This option opens up possibilities for further customization of your treats using baking de-corations and piped frosting.
Try ‘moulding’ your Treats in different shapes using different shapes and contours of cooling pans and other containers – full-pan sized or single-serving (such as muffin tins).
Or you can simply cut your finished, cooled Treats in different shapes. Try well-greased cookie cutters of your choice!
‘Adult’ RC Treats
Which does NOT, I hasten to explain, mean creating new shapes suggestive of ‘alternate’ kinds of grown-up fun. I’m talking about versions that get a shot or two (to taste) of your fave liquour or other distilled spirit.
I even came across one reference to RC Treats flavoured with a blend of ingredients rendering them chewy, sticky versions of your fave cocktails… I went looking for that post just now but couldn’t find it… Nevertherless, you should be able to recreate it with a little tinkering, if the idea captures your fancy.
My take
Important Tip: Always use real butter, not margarine or any other substitute fa, in this recipe. Somehow the flavour is just not true to my childhood memories. And other solid fats are almost certainly going to be full of unhealthy saturates and transfats!
Just as Important: Always use a greased serrated-blade knife to slice your Treats do they don’t squash or crumble!
In summation…
Like any other simple dish that begs for the benefit of your imagination… Rice Crispy treats offer unlimited potential for enhancement and elevation.
And don’t worry about making too many as you whip up batch after experimental batch. There are NEVER any Rice Crispies Treats left over, no matter how many you make!
~ Maggie J.