Reese's Puffs~Rice Krispies Squares with Peanut~Butter~Chocolate Drizzle

I very rarely eat really sweet cereals, but when I spotted the Reese's Puffs on sale, I thought they would make a great low-calorie, crunchy snack.  Then after a couple of weeks, it occurred to me they would make the traditional Rice Krispies Treats Recipe much more interesting and a whole lot better!  When I was ready to do my twist on the traditional recipe, I was feeling particularly lazy.  I wanted a really quick and easy topping for my squares and found myself in the ice-cream topping area of the grocery store!
                        
                           Even Better Than Rice Krispies Treats...

                    
                                 At Least That's What My Kids Said!


Approx. 24 ea. 2" squares

Ingredients

• 3 TB butter
• one 10 oz. pkg. regular (about 40 ea.) or 4 c. miniature marshmallows
• 3 c. Reese's Puffs cereal (chocolate and peanut-butter-flavored corn puffs)
• 3 c. Rice Krispies cereal
• 7 oz. bottle Reese's Peanut-Butter Topping*
• 7.25 oz. bottle Hershey's (Chocolate-Flavored) Shell Topping*

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a deep sauce pot over low heat.  Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted.  Remove from the heat.
2. Working quickly, with a large plastic spoon, mix in both of the cereals.  Finish mixing well by kneading with your hands which you have sprayed with a butter-flavored cooking spray.  Still using your hands, spread the mixture as evenly as possible into a 13x9x2 inch pan (I prefer glass for this recipe).
3. Let cool and set up for about 1/2 hour.
4. Cut the set mixture into 2" squares and place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
5. Drizzle the peanut-butter topping over the squares.  Freeze for about five minutes or until set.  Then drizzle the chocolate-flavored topping over the peanut-butter topping.  Freeze the squares again for another approximate five minutes.  Alternate cookie sheets in the freezer between drizzling the squares.  (The peanut-butter topping requires a good squeeze, whereas the chocolate-flavored topping flows easily without hardly squeezing...shake both toppings well before using.) 
6. For presentation, serve the squares in paper cups.

Tips*:

The toppings can be located in the ice-cream topping area of a grocery store.  You will have some topping left over (enjoy it on your ice cream!).  With these toppings, the squares have to be refrigerated.  If you want to transport the squares or ship them in a college-care or similar package, melt some chocolate-flavored-candy coating and peanut-butter-flavored candy coating and drizzle over the squares in lieu of the ice-cream toppings. The candy coatings (found at craft stores or online) will set and hold up better at room temperature than the ice-cream toppings.

If you use the ice-cream toppings, keep the squares in the refrigerator (until ready to serve) in a covered plastic container with sheets of wax paper between layers.  You can freeze the squares if you need to store for more than a week and thaw them a little before serving (again, keep extra ones in the refrigerator).

Spray all working utensils with a butter-flavored cooking spray before using.

To clean your pot easily: add a little dish detergent, fill with warm water and let soak a while.

                                                So Addictive...

                                 
                                         You Can't Eat Just One!

Make them for an after-school snack or with the kids for fun (or just make them because you're craving them)!  Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

So Simple, So Perfect, Crispy Roast Chicken

 (I've had this sitting in draft for a few days.  However, I had a slight interruption...my precious, new baby granddaughter was welcomed into the world on August 2nd!)

Craving some protein?  Make it on Sunday and have it for leftovers during the week...a salad, a sandwich or just more delicious roast chicken.  That wing or leg will haunt you for a late night snack!

Roast chicken just doesn't get any better or any easier than this!  After much experimenting over the years, I came to this simple method for a classic and delicious roast chicken.  No need to stuff or truss!  Roasters are not as dry as baking chickens; all they need is a little seasoning...not even any butter or oil!  Follow this recipe and I guarantee you a succulent roast chicken with a crispy exterior!
                               

The aroma of a chicken roasting in the oven just seems to say:

                              

                                              "Welcome Home!"

                                    Salivating?  Let's Cut Into It...

Serves 4 or more

Ingredients

• 1 plump roasting chicken (about 4 to 5 lbs.)
• garlic powder
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• dried thyme leaves
• dried rosemary leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375º.
2. Place a rack in a shallow roasting (or baking) pan which you've lined w/foil.*
3. Wash the chicken and remove any fat,* neck or giblets from the inside.
4. Pat the chicken dry and place it breast up on the rack in the pan.
5. Sprinkle the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
6. Sprinkle all the seasonings on the top of the chicken.
7. Place in the oven and roast uncovered about 30 minutes per lb. or until a drumstick moves easily at the joint and the juices run clear, or the chicken registers at least 180º when a thermometer is inserted.  (Check after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours and if already golden brown, loosely cover with a tent of foil to keep from over browning.)

*Tips 

• You can save any fat for schmaltz, see:  "The Schmaltz" under "Bon Bon's Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls".  
• Over the years, I've used so many different configurations of a roasting pan for this chicken.  Generally I use whatever is handy.  I've even used a toaster-oven rack in a baking pan.  You really don't need anything fancy...just a rack and a pan! (This note is especially for those who don't own a lot of equipment or are just starting out in the kitchen).  However, if you happen to have an impressive roasting pan and rack, enjoy it!
• My Not Just White Chicken Chili would be great for using leftover chicken breast from this roast!

Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing. (I prefer an electric knife to achieve attractive slices.) You'll feel like Mama just wrapped her arms around you while you enjoy this with your favorite sides!*

*Suggested Sides:

My Simple Side Salad with Avocado and Satisfying Spatzle Casserole with Swiss Cheese; Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Nut Topping or Yellow Summer Squash Casserole.

Printable Recipe