Rice Krispies Challenge

With the winter holidays approaching, Rice Krispies and The Motherhood invited Amanda Formaro, blogger at Amanda’s Cookin’ and Crafts by Amanda, to demonstrate a couple of fun and family-friendly Rice Krispies holiday recipes via live feed video.

 

http://youtu.be/3OZc28JAVdk

 

 

Rice Krispies Tree Trimmer Treats

 

“We are going to jump right in with a recipe for Rice Krispies Tree Trimmer Treats, which you can find featured on the Rice Krispies website,” said Amanda.

 

 

Here is the recipe:

 

Use licorice and miniature marshmallows to make the ornament tops for these delicious holiday indulgences.

 

Ingredients

 

12 (6-inch lengths) red or black string licorice

12 miniature marshmallows

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows – or –

4 cups miniature marshmallows

6 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal

Frosting

M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies

 

Directions

 

1. Fold each licorice piece in half and push ends through centers of 12 marshmallows. Set aside.

 

2. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add 10 ounces marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.

 

3. Using 1/2-cup measuring cup coated with cooking spray divide warm cereal mixture into 12 portions. Using buttered hands shape each portion into ornament shape around licorice ends. Cool. Decorate with frosting and M&M’S Brand Chocolate Candies. Best if served the same day.

 

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 through 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

 

Note:

For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container.

 

“I LOVE those ornaments. They would be so fun to make!” said Ashley, Cute as a Fox Creations.

 

 

Rice Krispies Treats Gingerbread People

 

Amanda also shared a Rice Krispies Treats design of her own creation – gingerbread people and gingerbread faces, created using cookie cutters to cut gingerbread people and large circles from sheets of cooled Rice Krispies Treats.

 

She suggested gently squeezing the cookie cutter to lift out the Rice Krispies Treat shapes more easily.  “Using cookie cutters provides a blank canvas that kids can then be creative decorating,” she added.

 

When it comes to decorating that blank canvas, “I can tell you my kids would pick sprinkles, hands down,” said Julie, Mommie Cooks. “My five year old loves the rainbow ones.”

 

And Sommer at A Spicy Perspective added, “I like to decorate with those little dot candies that come on the paper sheets.”

 

 

“These gingerbread men are so cute!” Zareen at Cooking with Z concluded. “My daughter loves any treat that comes on a lollypop stick!”

 

“If you have problems keeping your treats on the sticks, you can dip the stick in chocolate before you insert it into your Rice Krispies treat,” suggested Ashley, Cute as a Fox Creations. “It acts like glue to keep your stick and treat together!”

 

Wendy at Around My Family Table added, “And leaving them alone until they are totally cool helps too!”

 

These Rice Krispies Treats gingerbread people are easy for kids to make and customize, and they would make a great gift for a teacher or bus driver.

 

You and your kids could also have fun with them in other ways, like using them as place-settings.   You can personalize each gingerbread Rice Krispies Treat by piping someone’s name on the body and setting it on a family member’s plate before a holiday meal.

 

 

“My kids are going to be SO excited when we try out what I learn today!!! Thank you, Amanda for being here today!!!!!” said Emily McKhann, The Motherhood.

 

“Love all the fun treats everyone made. Such a clever crowd.  I am always so impressed,” said Sarah, Genesis Moments.

 

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you to our amazing host, Amanda Formaro of Amanda’s Cookin’ and Crafts by Amanda!

 

And a big thank-you to our 16 fabulous co-hosts:

 

Sarah, Genesis Moments
Zareen, Cooking with Z
Tara, Baby Momma Blog
Joey, Real Mom in the Media
Kristen, Dine and Dish
Kelly, Kansas City Mamas
Jenn, Super Jenn
Julie, My Kansas City Mommy
Ashley, Cute as a Fox Creations
Kristyn, Lil Luna
Wendy, Around My Family Table
Jacquilyn, Aly & Ash
Sommer, A Spicy Perspective
Robyn, Add a Pinch
Julie, Mommie Cooks
Amy, She Wears Many Hats

It was quite a festive Halloween chat on TheMotherhood when college student and baking whiz Kaitlin Flannery of Whisk Kid blog demonstrated cute and tasty Halloween crafts using Rice Krispies Treats!  Her Treats, along with a number of recipes on RiceKrispies.com, would be a perfect edible craft activity for a children’s costume party.

http://youtu.be/dqy5PvBBfwg

Kaitlin was joined by 16 blogger co-hosts, who make up our amazing Rice Krispies Making Memories Challenge teams.  They have already created Easter Treats and summer snacks, and for the latest spook-tacular challenge, each of the teams created their own Rice Krispies recipes and spell-binding Halloween displays.  See photos and details below!

“This was such a fun challenge. Can’t wait to talk Halloween Treats with y’all today!” said Robyn at Add a Pinch.

One great way to spend quality time with your kids is to bake and craft with them, and for Kaitlin and her own mom, Halloween was the perfect holiday to do both.  Using some of these edible craft ideas, you and your kids can create special memories together, too!

Rice Krispies Treats Pumpkin Heads

Kaitlin kicked off the class by demonstrating how to create a variation on Rice Krispies Treats Pumpkin Heads, which are featured on the Rice Krispies website.

See recipe: http://www.ricekrispies.com/#/recipes/pumpkin-head-treats

Instead of wrapping the balls of Rice Krispies in fruit rollups, she dipped them in orange-colored candy melts, cut peppermint patties into faces (two triangles for eyes with a semi-circle mouth) and put a green gumdrop on top for a stem.

“Just make sure you use an oil-based dye to color candy melts. Water-based colors will ruin your chocolate!” advised Ashley, Cute as a Fox creations.

For an alternative to candy melts, Jenn at SuperJenn suggested melted frosting.  She also added, “We found that if you set your marshmallows out overnight before you make the Treats …. they make up great …but are ‘crunchier’ when they cool … they hold shape very well that way!”

Kaitlin also shared several tips for working with Rice Krispies Treats:

• To save time, you can make the Rice Krispies Treats ahead of time and soften them in the microwave before molding them into shapes.
• So the Rice Krispies Treats don’t cool off and harden, becoming difficult to mold, you can keep them over hot water.
• To avoid messy hands and create pumpkin heads of the same size, use an ice cream scoop.
• You can also keep the Treats from sticking to you by putting a little oil or warm water on your hands.

For a variation on the Pumpkin Head Treats, Kaitlin suggested molding the Rice Krispies into a ghost shape, using sprinkles for eyes and dipping the bottom in white chocolate and coconut flakes.

“Love these little pumpkins & ghosts. So cute and easy to make!” said Zareen at Cooking with Z.

Surprise Pumpkin Treats

Another Rice Krispies Halloween favorite hides gooey chocolate pieces of candy inside balls of Rice Krispies Treats for a delicious surprise in the center of the snack.  Kaitlin took the class through preparations for this creation.

See the recipe on the Rice Krispies website: http://www.ricekrispies.com/#/recipes/surprise-pumpkin-treats

“The hidden surprise is a really fun concept!” said Sommer at A Spicy Perspective.

Halloween Rice Krispies Making Memories Challenge 

The four teams participating in the year-long Rice Krispies Making Memories Challenge also created their own unique edible Halloween crafts, perfect for quality time with the kids or a fun activity during a kids’ Halloween party.

“My kids love to create in the kitchen!” said Ashley at Cute as a Fox Creations.

 

Here are the recipes:
Team Asheville

Make Your Own Monsters Rice Krispies Treats

3 Tb. butter
4 cups (10 oz.) mini marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
decorator frosting, various colors
assorted candies

1. Spray a 9 X 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows over medium heat. Once melted add apple pie spice and stir until dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and add the Rice Krispies. Stir until coated.
4. Spoon the Rice Krispies mixture into the prepared pan. Press firmly with wax paper.
5. Once cooled, use cookie cutters to cut the Rice Krispies Treats into desired shapes.
6. Decorate Rice Krispies Treats with decorator frosting and assorted candies to make your own monster.

“What great decorating on these! Love that Bride of Frankenstein especially!” said Robyn.

Said Jacquilyn at Aly & Ash, “The artist on these is fabulous! Mine would never look like this!”

 

Team Philly

Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats – Haunted Pumpkin Patch

1 stick (8 TBS) butter or margarine
1 ¼ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 package (about 40) 10 regular marshmallows
2 TBS Pumpkin Puree
7 cups Rice Krispies

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Stirring frequently. Butter will foam and then the foam will subside. Brown bits will begin to form at the bottom. Keep stirring. You will smell a nutty aroma and the butter will be lightly brown. Turn off the heat.
2. Stir in pumpkin pie spice until incorporated. Add marshmallows and stir. Put the heat back on low and stir until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in pumpkin puree and two drops of red food coloring and 3-4 drops of yellow food coloring (to make desired orange color).
4. Mix in Rice Krispies until they are fully coated with marshmallow mixture. Turn out onto a wax paper lined baking sheet.

To Make Pumpkins:

Ingredients:

One batch Brown Butter Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats
Small Pretzel Sticks
Green Icing tube with Leaf tip

Directions:

1. Allow Rice Krispies Treats to cool for a bit.
2. Shape into round balls. Insert a 1/3 of a pretzel stick into the tops to act as a pumpkin stem.
3. Use green icing and a leaf tip to create a small green leaf on the side of the “stem.”

 

 

“I just don’t think you can go wrong with brown butter pumpkin,” said Jenn at SuperJenn.
“So spooooky!” added Amy at She Wears Many Hats.

 

Team Kansas City

Cinnamonster Rice Krispies Treat Snack Mix

3 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
4oz. cinnamon flavored marshmallows (1/2 bag)
2 1/2c. Traditional Rice Krispies®
Cinnamon Sugar (Mix to your personal cinnamon/sugar preference)

1. Melt 3Tbsp. Butter in a heavy saucepan over med-high heat.
2. Add marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted and mixture is smooth.
3. Add Rice Krispies® to hot mixture in saucepan (this keeps them warm, and thus easier to manipulate, longer)
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. Spray cooking spray on a cookie sheet and pull out small chunks of Rice Krispies mixture one at a time to work with. Pull apart enough to make small balls of treats, slightly smaller than “bite sized”.
6. You will need to work quickly. The cooler the mixture gets, the more difficult it is to shape.
7. Roll each ball in the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat. Set aside on waxed paper.
   If not using immediately, cover tightly to store.
8. Mix Cinnamon balls with 1 1/2c. popped popcorn, 1/2c. salted cashews and 1/2c. chocolate candy pieces.

***Tip: If you want a more crunchy texture to your cinnamon balls, set your marshmallows out the night before so that they dry out. They will melt as normal but when the final mixture cools it will be more crunchy and less chewy.***

Just in case cinnamon isn’t your thing (or because we couldn’t stop ourselves) here is a chocolate variation: Swap out cinnamon marshmallows for chocolate ones and Cocoa Krispies® for the traditional ones. In the mix, use candy corn in place of chocolate candy pieces.

“Love the monster bags!” said Kristyn at Li’l Luna.

Added Stephanie, “I need to save this…both of my sons would go crazy over it!” 

 
Team Phoenix

Rice Krispies Caramel Apple Treats

4 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 10-ounce bag of marshmallows
1 ½ cups dehydrated apples
2 individual serving size packets of Apple Cider drink mix
1 1/2 cup caramel bits or caramel squares cut into small chunks
6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies®
Popsicle, lollipop, or other sticks
Caramels for dipping the apples
Assorted cookies, candies, and sprinkles for decorating

Directions – Preparing the Treats

1. Heat 4 Tbsp butter or margarine in a sauce pan over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Stir in 2 packets of Apple Cider drink mix.
2. Remove from heat and stir in 6 cups of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies®.
3. While the mixture is still hot, add the dehydrated apples and caramel chunks.
4. Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, tightly pack balls of Caramel Apple Treats around your stick. Make sure your hands are clean and greased well to avoid sticking.
5. Rest your treats, stick side up on a sheet of wax paper or greased cookie sheet. Refrigerate the treats until it is party time.

Directions – Dipping and Decorating

1. Heat up a bag of caramels on the stove top according to the package instructions.
2. Depending on age and kitchen experience, you can let your child dip the Caramel Apple Treats in the caramel or you can give some assistance.
3. Before the caramel sets up, have your child roll their Caramel Apple Treat in various candies, sprinkles, or crushed up cookies. You can go crazy and incorporate your family’s favorite sugary goodies into this recipe.

“I love the spider plate! That’s so much fun. And I bet that’s even BETTER than a caramel apple,” said Kayla S.

And Julie at Mommie Cooks said, “Yum yum! I love caramel, these are right up my alley!”

You can see more photos of the teams’ creations on the Rice Krispies Facebook page.

Thanks to Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® for sponsoring the Talk and the Making Memories Challenge!  And a BIG thanks as well to Kaitlin Flannery at Whisk Kid for hosting the chat!

You can visit the Rice Krispies Circle on TheMotherhood on October 21 to find out which team took home the prize for the Halloween Challenge.  In the meantime, visit the team members on their blogs and enter for the chance to win a $100 bank gift card from Rice Krispies:

Sarah, Genesis Moments

Zareen, Cooking with Z

Tara, Baby Momma Blog

Joey, Real Mom in the Media

Kristen, Dine and Dish

Kelly, Kansas City Mamas

Jenn, Super Jenn

Julie, My Kansas City Mommy

Ashley, Cute as a Fox Creations

Kristyn, Lil Luna

Wendy, Around My Family Table

Jacquilyn, Aly & Ash

Sommer, A Spicy Perspective

Robyn, Add a Pinch

Julie, Mommie Cooks

Amy, She Wears Many Hat

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62274

On July 14, 2011, moms came to TheMotherhood to learn about methods for educating kids in the kitchen based on ages and stages.  Leading the chat via live video stream was Melanie Hall, MS, RD, Kellogg Company, who also provided tips and demonstrations for several simple and tasty snacks using Rice Krispies.

 

http://youtu.be/PGlXsPPBk5k

 

Melanie began the chat by talking about the goal with bringing kids into the kitchen: building a foundation of confidence, adventure and curiosity.

 

“My kids love to cook. Great thoughts,” said Sommer, A Spicy Perspective, and Wendy at Around My Family Table agreed, “My kids love helping out in the kitchen!”

 

Melanie also listed a number of valuable skills kids can learn right in the kitchen – everything from reading and language skills and counting for younger kids, to following tasks from beginning to end and planning ahead for older kids, to learning about nutrition at all ages.

 

“I just had all four kids helping me make Strawberry Granita. Each had a different task. Love having my kids help in the kitchen!” said Kristen, Dine and Dish.

 

“I’ve been known to give them all their own bowls and let them measure and dump whatever they want into it while I cook,” added Jenn, SuperJenn.  “That way I can get through my recipe but we can still talk and interact…. I still talk about what I’m doing.”

 

Melanie also demonstrated several simple snack ideas, and pointed out that snacks using Rice Krispies are a great choice for summer because there is no need to use a hot oven or stove.  Keep reading for her snack ideas!

 

Rice Krispies Trail Mix Treats

 

 

Recipe calls for ½ cup of crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup of rolled oats, ½ cup of raisins or dried tart cherries and ½ cup of sunflower seeds

 

This is in addition to the 20 marshmallows – a counting opportunity! – and 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal.

 

These Rice Krispies Trail Mix Treats are formed in a muffin tin, so get kids involved in pressing the mixture into the pan and counting as you go.

 

 

Garden Party Garland Skewers

 

 

“A great way to encourage kids to eat fresh, seasonal fruit – and maybe even try some new fruits, such as kiwi, mango and pineapple – is to involve them in making these tasty Garden Party Garland skewers,” Melanie noted.

 

Alternate different colored fruits with pieces of Rice Krispies Treats on a skewer to create a beautiful, tasty dessert.

 

 

Dipped Pears

 

 

The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of fat free plain yogurt, 3 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, 1 tablespoon of fat free milk and 1 and a half teaspoons of sugar.

 

Whisk that together and serve with sliced pears for dipping – and “what puts it over the top, in my opinion, is a final roll in Rice Krispies cereal, which gives an extra, delicious crunch – and is fun to do,” said Melanie.

 

 

“Melanie has been so great. I’m feeling inspired!” said Ashley, Cute As a Fox Creations.

 

For more kid-related food inspiration, “I do a monthly Kids in the Kitchen segment on the first Friday of the month.  Great chat and lots of great info!” said Wendy, Around My Family Table.

 

As part of our Rice Krispies Making Memories Summer Challenge, our four teams of wonderful bloggers also showcased the treats they invented during the chat.  Below, you can see photos of each delicious treat – and click the links to visit the related blog posts.  You can vote for your favorite by commenting (using the word “vote”) on their posts!

 

PHOENIX Peanut Butter Pops

 

 

“These are so cute,” said Robyn, Add a Pinch.

 

Ashley, Cute as a Fox Creations: http://www.cuteasafox.com/2011/07/rice-krispies-stuffed-peanut-butter.html

Kristyn, Lil Luna: http://www.lilluna.com/2011/07/kelloggs-rice-krispies-challenge-2.html

Wendy, Around My Family Table: http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2011/07/stuffed-peanut-butter-pops

Jacquilyn, Aly & Ash: http://alyashcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/rice-krispies-challenge-2-summer.html

 

 

ASHEVILLE Fruity Rice Krispies Kebabs

 

 

“So healthy. Great idea,” said Kelly, Kansas City Mamas.

 

And Kristyn, Lil Luna, added, “Eye candy, baby!!”

 

Sommer, A Spicy Perspective: http://aspicyperspective.com/2011/07/fruity-rice-krispies-kebabs.html

Robyn, Add a Pinch: http://addapinch.com/cooking/2011/07/12/rice-krispies-kebabs

Julie, Mommie Cooks: http://www.mommiecooks.com/2011/07/12/rice-krispie-fruit-kebobs

Amy, She Wears Many Hats: http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2011/07/fruity-rice-krispies-kebabs

 

 

KANSAS CITY Rice Krispies Tangy Watermelon Treat

 

 

“Very nice job guys! I especially loved your burger; very creative!” said Julie, Mommie Cooks.

 

Kristen, Dine and Dish: http://dineanddish.net/2011/07/summer-rice-krispies-treat-challenge-recipe-tangy-watermelon-rice-krispie-treats

Kelly, Kansas City Mamas: http://www.kansascitymamas.com/2011/07/tangy-watermelon-rice-krispies-treats-100-visa-card-giveaway

Jenn, Super Jenn: http://www.superjenn.com/from-my-kitchen-tangy-watermelon-rice-krispies-treats-and-100-giveaway

Julie, My Kansas City Mommy: http://www.mykansascitymommy.com/2011/07/summer-rice-krispies-challenge.html

 

 

PHILLY Rice Krispies S’mores

 

 

“Oh, those are just so delish looking!!!!” said Emily McKhann, TheMotherhood.

 

Sarah, Genesis Moments: http://www.genesismoments.com/awritersjourney/2011/06/the-rice-krispies-summer-challenge-in-on.html

Zareen, Cooking with Z: http://cookingwithz.com/?p=1473

Tara, Baby Momma Blog: http://babymommablog.com/7667/activity/rice-krispies-making-memories-summer-challenge-100-visa-giveaway/

Joey, Real Mom in the Media: http://www.joeyfortman.com/journal/2011/6/21/rice-krispies-making-memories-summer-challenge.html

 

“So many great ideas with this challenge! Creative ladies all over!” said Amy, She Wears Many Hats.

 

“I love seeing what all the teams did. What great ideas,” agreed Sarah, Genesis Moments.

 

 

Thank you to all of our amazing bloggers, and to Rice Krispies for sponsoring the live chat!

 

 

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62236