Rice Krispie Treats Grow Up

Do you remember just how good those rice krispie treats were? The ones your mom made. The ones that seemed like magic-the transformation of marshmallows and cereal, yes, cereal, into something so much greater? You know, before they came in the shiny blue wrapper.  When they were a treat your best friend's mom sent with her to school during the holidays?  Oh, they were good.


But like this? They even better. I have to say, Rice Krispie Treats have grown up a bit. 


Make a ganache. Let it set. Take your butter and brown it. Add some salt. Let it set.  Frost with ganache. Watch the fireworks.


See my ganache topped treat (as opposed to the adorbs sandwich versions above. I'll let you guess which ones are easier to eat) after the jump.

For Ganache:
8 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, in a medium bowl
1 c heavy cream
Bring cream just to a boil on the stove. Pour into chopped chocolate, let sit for 30 seconds. Stir. until smooth.  Let set. This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. I prefer to refrigerate mine, stirring every 15 minutes or so.



Ingredients for Salted Brown Butter  Crispy Treats from Smitten Kitchen

6 cups crisp rice cereal (I used an unsweetened version with 2g sugar/serving compared with the Brand Name's 10g/serving and did not feel deprived)

10 oz marshmallows

heaping 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt (I used double, what can I say, I like the sweet-salty combo)

one stick butter (yes, 8 tablespoons)

Grease an 8x8x2" pan.  


In a large pot, melt the butter on the stove. Keep cooking it until it has browned. You'll know because it will smell nutty.  Turn off heat, stirring in the marshmallows until they melt and are smooth. Add the cereal and salt, stirring to coat.  When evenly mixed, spread into pan. The best way to smooth the tops is with a greased piece of wax paper, pressing down. 


When you're ready to serve them, frost with ganache and cut into pieces.  And here's my 2 cents on the sandwich v topped issue: the sandwich is cute, super cute, but more effort. And you must eat them in one bite or the ganache squirts everywhere. The topping is also cute, makes them look a little fancier, and you can eat them in as few or many bites as you want.