05 May Crispy Chocolate Rice Squares
Swag. It used to mean some sort of garland or window dressing. But times have changed. Ignoring the Urban Dictionary’s profanity-laced first definition, I pieced together other entries and conclude it’s an overused term meaning one’s personal style or attitude. I think it’s the new “mojo”, but don’t quote me. I’m hopelessly square and can’t even use “bling” correctly .
Moving into more comfortable territory, I can say with authority that for conference attendees swag is stuff sponsors give you in hopes you’ll try it and like it. Having recently attended the Food Bloggers of Canada Conference, I came home loaded with swag. One of the items, which I am under no obligation to write about, was a whole grain cereal cocoa version of Rice Krispies®, (Update: It’s no longer produced) It’s organic, certified gluten-free and non-GMO. People with food allergies will like that it’s also free from dairy, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. It’s basically rice, air and natural sugars. What could go wrong?
Uh… me.
I took this healthy, pure, unadulterated cereal and swagged it up.
Squares for the square? Cocoa for my mojo? Riffing on the classic Rice Krispie Square, I used the chocolate cereal and added cocoa to the marshmallow mix. The results are crisp, chewy and far less sweet than the original. Will kids like it? I hope not. Will it make me cool? Not likely. Will it make me popular with the adults. Very much so.
PrintCrispy Chocolate Rice Squares
A chocolatey twist on a classic, these rice crisp squares are less sweet thanks to cocoa and chocolate-flavoured cereal. These easy-to-make treats will disappear faster than you can make them.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
- Category: Baked Goods
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 10-ounce/250 g bag marshmallows (about 40 regular or 4 cups miniature marshmallows)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 5 cups cocoa-flavoured crispy rice cereal (I used Erewhon Cocoa Crispy Brown Rice)
Instructions
- Butter an 8-inch square pan. You can use a 9X9 or 9X13, but I like my squares nice and thick.
- Put the butter and marshmallows into a large saucepan over very low heat – the lowest setting your stove will provide without being simply room temperature. Sift the cocoa powder over the marshmallows to remove any lumps. Add the salt. Once the butter and marshmallows begin to melt, stir them constantly and gently until the cocoa is absorbed and the mixture is completely smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Remove from heat and gently fold in the cereal, coating evenly. Work fairly quickly since you want to do this while the marshmallow mixture is still warm and cooperative.
- Transfer the warm mixture into the pan, and using clean, buttered hands (excuse the oxymoron, but you know what I mean) or a silicone spatula, press the mixture firmly into the pan. Neat fanatics might want to place a sheet of waxed paper or parchment over the mixture and press with clean unbuttered hands.
- Allow the mixture to cool fully before cutting into 16 squares.
Notes
If you can’t find chocolate flavoured rice crisps, use regular rice ones. The chocolate won’t be as intense, but you can still enjoy a less sweet version of the classic marshmallow snack.
A Canadian Foodie
Posted at 15:46h, 05 MayHilarious little ditty, Charmian! Love your “swag”… and the irony of it all.
🙂
Valerie
Charmian Christie
Posted at 16:58h, 05 MayGlad you liked the post. Occasionally, being the Queen of Irony pays off.
Peter Johns
Posted at 19:56h, 05 MayActually the word is pronounced erry – won and is nowhere backwards – the title of a Samuel Butler novel.
Charmian Christie
Posted at 22:00h, 05 MayThanks for mentioning the Samuel Butler connection and the origin of the word “Erewhon”. You’re right about the pronounciation of Butler’s novel. However, according to the packaging, the company has chosen a two-syllable pronounciation. Perhaps to differentiate them from the book?
For those how are curious about Erewhon, here’s why the company chose that name. From the packaging “Named after a 19th century novel by Samuel Butler, Erewhon (Air-wahn) was an utopia where each person was responsible for his/her own health, something we strive for with Erewhon organic cereals.”
Louise at Cake and Calico
Posted at 17:52h, 06 MayI’m glad it’s not just me who can’t keep up with the youthful vernacular. I teach the ‘youth’ of today and there are times when I have to ask for a translation. (I feel so old!) Chocolate, however, transcends such piffling boundaries…
Charmian Christie
Posted at 00:19h, 07 May“Piffling boundaries” is sure to be the next catch phrase, I’m sure. At least with us cool kids 🙂
Yes, chocolate rarely needs translating. Thanks for commiserating!
Rosemarie Superville
Posted at 13:34h, 10 MayGreat idea Charmaine! Mine is still sitting in a cupboard, I will have to try your recipe. Loved hanging with you at the conference. Congratulations on your new book. Cheers.
Charmian Christie
Posted at 18:56h, 11 MayWonderful to hear from you, Rosemarie. If you do something with the Erehwon cereal — other than eat it as cereal — I’d love to hear what you make! Feel free to post a link in the comments section here.
Thanks for your kind words about my book. I’m very excited.
Daniela Castro
Posted at 10:21h, 29 MarchSounds great i will definitely try it, do you think I could add at the end mini marshmallows or M&M´s just to make a copycat version.
When will it be the right time for adding either one.
Thank you