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

A New Spin on Rice Krispie Treats

Blaise Doubman

I have tried all types of Rice Krispie treats over the years, but I believe these are my new favorites. Who would not love their Rice Krispie treats filled with peanut butter fudge? These may be a little rich for most, but I would recommend to those people to cut their pieces smaller. Drizzle these with chocolate for an even better treat! I remember growing up making the traditional Rice Krispie treats and always thinking that they were good but somehow, they could be better. Have you ever added melted white chocolate to your melted butter and marshmallows for your treats? Have you ever experimented with different types of cereals? Trust me when I tell you that I have and a majority of them have been delicious!

They make Rice Krispie treats now that you can buy already made and even offer full sheet pan size bars that you can decorate anyway you want, almost like decorating a cake! I have tried those and yes, they are good, but nothing beats the taste of a homemade treat, especially when warm, right after making them. You could experiment with this recipe and instead of filling them with peanut butter fudge, fill them with chocolate fudge instead. Use your favorite, easy, chocolate fudge recipe and use that in place of the peanut butter fudge recipe that I have listed here, and you will have made “Chocolate Fudge Filled Rice Krispie Treats”. Try these and let me know what you think by sending me an email! Also, if you have a family recipe that you would like featured here in my column, please feel free to contact me through my website.

Peanut Butter Fudge Filled Rice Krispie Treats

Leftovers can be kept in an air-tight container at room temperature.

For the Rice Krispie treats…
1 stick unsalted butter
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal

For the peanut butter fudge filling…
1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons whole milk

Start by lining a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, over medium high heat, combine the unsalted butter and the mini marshmallows. Stir until melted and bubbly. Add in the salt and pure vanilla extract.

Stir in the Rice Krispie cereal, being sure to coat all of the cereal.

Place half of this mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.

Make the peanut butter fudge filling by combining the smooth peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk in medium sized bowl and stir until smooth.

Place this mixture on top of the pressed in cereal and smooth out the top.

Spoon the remaining cereal mixture on top and smoothly even out the surface.

Place into the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before removing and cutting.

You can top these bars with melted chocolate if you want for a “buckeye” spin.

Enjoy!

Ask and Answer: Several people have written to me about having a recipe for homemade maple syrup. The recipe I have the most success with is, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup white granulated sugar and 1 cup light brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Stir frequently and allow to boil. Once at a boil, remove from heat, add in 1 tablespoon pure maple flavoring and place back over medium heat and stir for about 3 minutes.