Chewy Chocolate Rice Krispy Treats

Cheap Eat Challenge, Part 2: Watch as our family of 6 eats on less than $10/day.

I love baking cookies at this time of year, but I know--as you surely do as well--that there are times at this time of year when we're expected to show up at a party or our kid's classroom or the church social with something tasty and we're ready to weep or beat ourselves with a mixing spoon or both because we Just. Don't. Have. The. Time. to make anything else or do anything else or spend a whole lot more money.

Enter an old classic. And my mother-in-law. And the marshmallows that have been languishing in my pantry since those winsome late summer roasting days. And chocolate of course. Chocolate always enters in our times of greatest need, right?

These can be made in 2 minutes. Do you understand me? Two. Minutes.

By the time you get where you're going or are done greeting your guests, they'll be set up.

That's pretty good. But they're also amazingly tasty: chewy, soft, and chocolate. My mother-in-law brought a few to give to the kids when she came for Thanksgiving. They were awesome. I've made chocolate Rice Crispy Treats before and they've been good, but these were better. With mine I've always thrown the chocolate in at the end so I end up with some chocolate chunks, or I try to. What I usually end up with are lots of chocolate streaks that make cutting the treats difficult and eating them sometimes kind of difficult too (don't you hate it when they cut your mouth). These are chewy and just plain good while still being delightfully chocolate-y. And did I mention the 2 minute thing.

Oh, and they use a lot less butter because they use melted chocolate instead, which has anti-oxidants, so I'm sure they're like, totally a health food too.

Chocolate Rice Krispy Treats
from my mother-in-law who is also named Jeanie
Makes 8x8 inch pan and can easily be doubled
Prep time: 2 minutes
Set time: 10 minutes
Cost: $1.30
marshmallows: .50, chocolate chips: .45, butter: .05, Rice Krispies--generic: .25)

5 oz or 1/2 bag marshmallows (I used the big ones because that's what I had hanging around
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 Tbsp butter
3 C Rice Crispies (I used generic, which worked fine, but--though I hate to admit this--weren't quite as good as the original kind)

Put marshmallows, chocolate, and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds or until the marshmallows are poofing their little marshmallow hearts out. So watch them because how they look is more important than how long you go. When they're nice and poofy, take them out and stir the mixture up. If it's all smooth, great. If it needs another 20-30 seconds, put it in the microwave a little longer. Mix until smooth.

Add Rice Krispies and stir until incorporated. Try not to eat it all out of the bowl before you get it to your pan as I may or may not have memories of certain roommates at BYU doing. Hopefully none of them ever runs for public office; what would the media make of such an event? (BYU may not be known for its excessive drinking issues, but I hear they're been fretting over the obsessive Krispie treat consumption. Okay, I don't really hear that. It's not true. But perhaps someone should do something about this risky behavior among today's youth. I'll have to get right on that. Yeah, right on it. Just after I lick off this spoon.)

Ahem, where was I? Oh yes, into the 8x8 inch pan. Press it down. Smear a little butter on your fingers to do this and it will be easier (a lot easier) and you'll have less excuse to lick them off.

Let cool/set and then cut into squares. Arrive on time and not in tears (unless you ate the whole bowl of stuff) to your party.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Linked to Sweets for a Saturday and Fusion Fridays.