One of the ‘go to’ real mom recipes has got to be the good old rice crispy treat. The rice crispy is loved by everyone and it probably the easiest and most versatile treats that have ever been invented. You don’t even really need a recipe…just mix up rice crispy cereal with marshmallows melted in butter. It couldn’t get more real mom than that.

Since the actual making of the treats is so easy I usually have a little more time to funk them up. I’ve made Christmas wreaths, Valentines hearts, footballs, Spongebobs and Patrick’s and tons of other fun shapes. All you need is box of cookie cutters and the options are endless. And if you think your kids love rice crispies in the old school square shape..watch their sweet faces when you give them one shaped like a Bubble Guppy or on a stick like a fancy lolly. And don’t forget the sprinkles!!!!

Here are a few options of what you can do for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Make the standard bars with a few red sprinkles, form them in a heart shaped pan, cut them with a cookie cutter..dip them in chocolate and put them on a stick. I can’t stress enough how viable and easy it is to bend these things to your will.

Just for fun…this old commercial shows that moms have been using the rice crispy trick for years! It makes me miss the days when homes were built with the kitchen detached with doors. Now we all have open floor plans and the kids are always sitting at the island doing homework while we cook..so we can’t really hide out in there anymore. Oh well..at least we still have the bathroom.

Original Rice Crispy Recipe

• 3 tablespoons   butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40)   regular marshmallows
• – OR -
• 4 cups   miniature marshmallows
• 6 cups rice crispy cereal

Directions:

Melt butter and marshmallows in small saucepan and mix in cereal. While still warm pour into pan. Then bend and shape into whatever form strikes your fancy.