Rice Krispie Treat Master Class

I've had a long-standing love affair with rice krispie treats. I used to love this old commercial that was on when I was a kid (I remember it was on our taped copy of Neverending Story so I saw it all the time- "Come for me, Mork- I am Atreyu!") where the Mom is in the kitchen reading a book and her family is calling out to her from the other room: "Are they ready yet, Mom?" She calls back, exasperated, "In just a second!" Then she grabs some flour, throws it in her face and walks out with the tray of rice krispie treats. I remember one time when Bobby and I were first married, we ate a big batch of rice krispie treats in lieu of dinner. That's it. Just rice krispie treats.

What other dessert can you prepare in five minutes with a baby on your hip?

But I don't follow the recipe. I'm about to share the secret to really amazing rice krispie treats with you.
Start with one bag of marshmallows- large, mini, it doesn't matter which. Now here come's the secret. Add 1 cube of butter instead of the 1/4 cup the recipe suggests. Trust me.

Melt in microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Mix marshmallows and butter until butter melts and mixture is smooth. (If the butter doesn't melt, microwave for an extra 15 seconds or so.)
Now this part I'm afraid I can't teach you. I just pour the rice krispies into the bowl without messing with measuring cups. I can tell you that it's nearly a whole 15 oz. box of cereal.

Mix away. What we're trying to avoid here is big gloppy amounts of white marshmallow. That is how all the recipes on the backs of marshmallow bags and on the side of rice krispie boxes try and lead you astray. You see, what I'm proposing is not actually doubling the butter (although that's not always a bad idea), but reducing the marshmallows by half. Once the marshmallow-butter mixture is evenly mixed in, pour into a pan and allow to set. Enjoy, and come back and tell me about it.