Ring In the Holidays with Seasonal Treats

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