Valentine’s Day Rice Krispies Treats

❤  Valentine’s Day 2014 Featured Post  ❤
Snap  ❤  Crackle  ❤  Pop  ❤  Yowza!

You’re sure to score points when you put a creative twist on this time-honored favorite. These treats are super-easy to make and super-fun to decorate. Let’s see why …

Tips:

• Like soft treats? These treats will impress you if consumed within 24 hours of your pressing.
• For a thicker treat, press your marshmallow mixture into a 9″ x 13″ pan. For a thinner treat, press into a 11″ x 17″ pan.
• For a quick and tasty shortcut for melted chocolate, use Ambrosia brand Chocolate Flavored Bark Coating (a.k.a. bark coating) – we found ours at our local HEB Grocery. It’s available in chocolate bark and white bark.
• Just because these treats are perfectly-shaped for Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean that they aren’t delicious all year round!

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons  |  Unsalted Butter (my family’s favorite is Falfurrias Brand Butter)
1 Package (10 ounces)  |  Marshmallows
6 Cups  |  Kellogg’s Brand Rice Krispies Cereal
Your Favorite  |  Chocolates, Melted
Assorted  |  Decorations (sprinkles, crushed peppermints, strawberries, etc.)

Materials:

Medium-Sized Pan
Spoon To Stir
Large Mixing Bowl
Wax Paper
Baking Sheet (see size recommendations above)
Cooking Spray
Cookie Cutter (we used a heart-shaped cutter)

What To Do:

1. Melt the butter in a medium-large pan over low heat.

2. Raise the heat up a bit to medium heat and add the marshmallows. Stir until melted – do not let them boil or burn.

3. Pour your marshmallow mixture into the rice krispies and stir until well blended.

4. Using a spatula or spoon pour the mixture into a baking sheet lined with wax paper and press flat.

5. Let cool then cut your treats into your desired shapes. Spray your cookie cutter (or hands) with cooking spray will help prevent sticking.

6. Decorate your treats. Let your creativity impress their eyes and their appetite!

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

❤ Love Valentine’s Day? Visit our post called “Valentine’s Day The Home Style Way” for our ideas for how to make your day extra special at home. We’re pairing our favorite appetizer, main course, desserts and wine along with some great “at-home” movie recommendations sure to melt hearts.

Valentine’s Day The Home Style Way

❤  Valentine’s Day 2014 Featured Post  ❤

Our Heart’s At Home

Our finest suggestions follow for how to make your own bang-up Valentine’s Day evening for your special ones in your very own home sweet home! Plus, discover our picks for two “Best Romantic Wines” perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond!

We’ve paired our favorite music, appetizer, main course, desserts and wines with some great “at-home” movie recommendations sure to melt hearts. Fun doesn’t start outside the home – it starts inside the home, with you! Let’s check out this year’s menu board:

Below are the easy-to-follow instructions for a great Valentine’s Day (click the links for the recipes):

1. Set the mood with some great music by legendary greats like Andrea Bocelli or Frank Sinatra. Need a little candlelight? This DIY project for some mercury glass candles will surely put some sparkle in their eyes.

2. Pour some red. We’re diehard fans of the two great lands of Texas and Tuscany so we’ve selected two great reds that perfectly embody the deep, bold romanticism ideally suited for Valentine’s Day: the Super Texan® from Flat Creek Estate and the Piccini Chianti DOCG from Tuscany, Italy. Both wines are tastefully affordable and available at fine wine and spirits retailers like Twin Liquors throughout the Austin area.

3. Tickle the tastebuds. For the antipasto, check out my favorite tomato bruschetta recipe which will surely impress. Take note: In the recipe I’ve included my special secret for how to serve this dish extra-special!

4. Make it movie time. Right about now it’s probably a good idea to turn down the music and pop-in a movie. The Home Style Austin team picked three movies sure to keep hearts happy – Lady and the Tramp, The Princess Bride and our personal all-time fave Under The Tuscan Sun. Why not make it a triple feature and make it a night to remember?

5. Make it red. We bring on the main course with my delicious red sauce atop spaghetti. If you’re watching Lady And The Tramp, you’re probably feeling pretty awesome right about now. Pssst! Cupid’s Secret ~ If you’re one of the first 10 Texans who promise to send me a pic of your own Valentine’s Day meal, I’ll send you a heart-shaped cookie cutter used to make my spaghetti dish and our rice krispies treats! Pinky swear. Here’s how. 

6. Score sugar points! Perform the evening’s perfect touch with some super easy-to-make sweets including Valentine’s Day Rice Krispies Treats or our signature Cupid Cups. Treats made from the heart? Pure gold!

Until the big day, keep your heart in check – visit our Pinterest “Holidazed” pinboard with some Valentine’s Day inspiration for you and yours … we’re adding new pins until the big day!

“Home” truly can be found wherever we hang our hearts and we hope these tips make your Valentine’s Day 2014 the very best ever!

Happiest Valentine’s Day from your friends at Home Style Austin,

~ Joe Paul Reider

Home Style Austin Founder
Austin Realtor®
Keller Williams Realty, Inc.