The following “Chew This!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates.

Crazy for Cereal Treats!

Blaise Doubman

When my column for my Butterscotch Treats appeared in print, I could not believe the messages I received from my readers! Yes, everyone seemed to be amazed that you add a packet of powdered pudding mix to the recipe, but even more so, I heard from so many readers who loved cereal treats and wondered if I had any more cereal treat recipes! Well, the answer is yes, I do, and I love them too! I was going to wait to share this recipe, especially since my Butterscotch Treats just appeared here about a month ago but I wanted to give you what so many of you had been asking since the printing – another cereal treat recipe. You can use just about any cereal you want for these, as long as the cereal will hold and maintain its shape. The trick to cereal treats is, at least mine, extra butter, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Now, just recently I developed a recipe where you stir in some white chocolate to the butter and marshmallows and allow that to all melt together and let me tell you – it was fabulous!

With this recipe however, there is no white chocolate, but I would not be mad if you wanted to add some! If you decide to, about 1/3 of a cup will do the trick. Here, I am using Reese’s Puffs cereal, which is my favorite cereal, and it gives the treats this delicious chocolate and peanut butter combination that really pairs well with the flavor of the marshmallows. You may think, at first, that the cereal puffs are too big and that the recipe will not work but it does, I promise. Actually, given this cereal is puffs, meaning round in shape, once these cool, you will find a delicious little puddle of melted butter and marshmallows at the bottom of each treat! What happens is, the melted butter and marshmallows have melted down and around all those puffs and settled to create almost a sweet and sticky base for the bars. Even better! With the Holidays coming up, I will be sharing Holiday recipes, both the regular recipes and healthier alternatives but your love for cereal treats had me wanting to share this one right away.

Marshmallow Cereal Treats

These, like other marshmallow cereal treats, are best eaten the day they are made. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, wrap them tightly with aluminum foil and keep them at room temperature for one day.

1 stick unsalted butter
10 oz marshmallows
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 cups Reese’s Puffs cereal

Start by combining the unsalted butter and marshmallows in a large pot over medium heat.

Stir until melted and smooth.

Add in the pure vanilla extract and salt.

Stir until everything is smooth and combined.

Add in the Reese’s Puffs cereal and stir well.

Be sure to coat every single piece of cereal with the melted mixture.

Pour into a 9-inch square baking pan that has been lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Press down and form the mixture to the pan, being sure the top is as even as possible.

Leave at room temperature to set up for at least 2 hours. Cut, serve and enjoy!

Ask and Answer: So many of you wrote in to me when my column for “UnSloppy Joes” was printed, that I had to take a minute and thank you! There was a lot of questions and even more stories of reminiscing about your loose meat memories. Some of you were wondering why no ketchup is permitted on these sandwiches and I really wish I had an answer. I am not sure. I do know though, that from my research, it is strictly forbidden. A few of you wrote in about adding garlic, or other herbs and spices, to the recipe. You can do this, but again, it is not in the original recipe, or style of the sandwich, to add much anything else that what the recipe states.