• Recipes
  • Contact
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy

Chattavore

What I ate, plate by plate.

  • Start Here!
    • Contact
  • Easy Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Drinks
    • Easy Baking
    • For the Grill
    • Freezer Friendly
    • Instant Pot
    • No-Bake Desserts
    • One-Pot Recipes
    • Salads and Cold Dishes
    • Sheet Pan Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
  • Videos
    • From Scratch
    • Recipe Videos
    • Techniques
    • Tools
  • How-To
    • How to Cook From Scratch
    • How to Get Organized
    • How to Make Ahead and Meal Prep
    • How to Use Tools and Techniques

Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats (So EASY!)

July 1, 2020

a close-up photograph of a Rice Krispies treat on a napkin

Strawberry Rice Krispies treats are so easy to make, and they are a perfect after-school snack or lunchbox treat! Everyone will love them. All you need are Rice Krispies, marshmallows, butter, and strawberry cake mix! SO GOOD!

I never would have considered myself a creator of all things Rice Krispies treats, yet here we are. My salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats were not actually my own creation, instead adapted from a recipe from Smitten Kitchen. From that recipe, though, I learned that I actually loved RKTs, a treat, if you will, that I had been pretty indifferent about up until that point. Since then, I have created several iterations of the ubiquitous Rice Krispies treats, with the most recent being these strawberry Rice Krispies treats.

And guess what? Transforming these from plain to strawberry is as simple as some dry cake mix. Armed with that knowledge, you really could make them whatever flavor you might fancy! These are seriously the easiest snack to make. You can make them, from start to finish, in 15 minutes or less!

What You Need to Make Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

  1. Unsalted butter
  2. Mini marshmallows
  3. Rice Krispies (duh) or other crisped rice cereal
  4. Strawberry cake mix

How to Make Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

I numbered my photos incorrectly, so steps 9-10 in the directions are steps 10-11 in the photos!

  1. Butter an 8×8-inch square pan.
  2. Place a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Place the butter in the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted.
  3. Add one cup of strawberry cake mix to the melted butter and stir until completely combined.
  4. Leave the pan over medium heat and add the marshmallows.
  5. Again, cook, stirring constantly, until the marshmallows are melted.
  6. Add six ounces (half of a box) of crisped rice cereal to the marshmallow mixture.
  7. Stir until the cereal is completely coated.
  8. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
  9. Use the butter wrapper to flatten the mixture into the pan.
  10. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Mary

Yield: 16 treats

Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

5 minPrep Time:

10 minCook Time:

15 minTotal Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
Recipe Image
My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter plus more for buttering the pan
  • 10 ounces (1 bag) miniature marshmallows
  • 1 cup boxed strawberry cake mix
  • 6 ounces (1/2 box) Rice Krispies or other crisped rice cereal

Instructions

  1. Butter an 8x8-inch square pan and set aside.
  2. Place the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot set over medium heat. Set the butter wrapper aside for later use. Cook, stirring frequently, until the butter has completely melted.
  3. Leave the pan on the heat and add the marshmallows. Cook, stirring frequently, until the marshmallows have melted completely.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the strawberry cake mix and stir until well incorporated.
  5. Add the cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until the cereal is completely coated.
  6. Spread the cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Use the butter wrapper to press the mixture into the pan. Allow the Rice Krispies treats to cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.
7.8.1.2
577
https://chattavore.com/strawberry-rice-krispies-treats-so-easy/

Filed Under: By Course, Dessert, Recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized Tagged With: desserts, snacks By Mary // Chattavore Leave a Comment

Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats + Video

April 20, 2020

With brown butter (and double butter, at that) and salt, these salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats are sure to be the best you’ve ever had! (Scroll down for video!)

a photograph of a Rice Krispies treat plate a plate of Rice Krispies treats in the background

Click here to save this recipe on Pinterest!

The Best Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies treats have always been fine in my book. Not my favorite. Just fine. Just okay. That is, until I tried Smitten Kitchen’s Rice Krispies treats. Salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats. They are sheer perfection. They are my contribution to 90% of potlucks and birthday parties. They are, simply put, the best version of Rice Krispies treats out there, especially zhuzzed up with just a tiny bit more salt than the original recipe. Ah, yes.

What Makes These Rice Krispies Treats So Amazing? 

  1. Double butter. They’re totally healthy. Got it? Butter is health food. The extra butter makes them so rich but also it makes the texture absolutely amazing.
  2. Browning the butter. Shhhhhh. Trust me. This adds a depth of flavor that you won’t even believe, and if you are willing to stand and watch the butter for five minutes so it doesn’t burn, it’s totally easy too.
  3. Salt. Just a little bit. I love a sweet and salty vibe. Did you know that salt intensifies flavors? Don’t leave it out here.
  4. Using a small pan. Usually, this size recipe for RKTs would be made in a 9×13 inch pan. I make them in an 8×8 inch pan so they are double thick. Combined with the double butter, this makes the texture of these RKTs out of this world.

a photograph of a plate of salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats

How Do You Make Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats?

Glad you asked! They’re so easy!

  1. Butter an 8×8-inch square baking pan.
  2. Place one stick (4 ounces or 8 tablespoons) of unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring/swirling frequently, until the butter is golden brown. Don’t turn your back – it will burn in an instant!
  3. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon of table salt, which is much saltier than kosher salt).
  4. Add 10 ounces of mini marshmallows.
  5. Stir the marshmallows until completely melted. I find it helpful to place the pan back over medium heat to help the marshmallows melt.
  6. Stir in 6 ounces (half of a regular size box) of crisped rice cereal. I am not brand loyal. This is about 5 1/2 cups of cereal.
  7. Turn the mixture into the buttered pan.
  8. Use the butter wrapper to press the mixture into the pan.
  9. Cool the treats completely. Turn them out onto a cutting board and cut into 16 squares.

By the way, Deb Perelman’s recipe is featured in her original Smitten Kitchen Cookbook. I also love her second cookbook, Smitten Kitchen Every Day.  She has wonderful recipes.  I encourage you to check out her website and her books!

Since I discovered the tricks of doubling the butter and using a smaller pan, I have developed a true passion for Rice Krispies treats. Try my other recipes: wedding cake Rice Krispies treats, candy corn Rice Krispies treats, and malted chocolate Rice Krispies treats!

a close-up photograph of a stack of salted brown butter Rice Krispies treats

Click here to save this recipe to your Pinterest snack boards!

Yield: 16 squares

Pinterest Test Kitchen: Salted Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats

5 minPrep Time:

10 minCook Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Recipe Image

My Recipes
My Lists
My Calendar

Ingredients

  • 1 stick unsalted butter plus more for buttering the pan
  • 1 bag miniature marshmallows
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 6 ounces (1/2 of a regular size box) crisped rice cereal

Instructions

  1. Generously butter an 8 x 8 dish.
  2. Place the stick of butter into a Dutch oven over medium heat. Don't throw away the wrapper-I like to smear a little bit of the butter that I used to butter the pan onto the wrapper (I'll use this at the end).
  3. Cook the butter, stirring frequently, until browned bits separate and the butter stops foaming. Don't walk away or you'll burn the butter!
  4. Stir in the marshmallows and the salt. Stir until completely melted and smooth and remove from heat.
  5. Add the cereal and stir until completely coated with the marshmallows. Spread into the buttered pan. Use the buttered wrapper to press the mixture into the pan.
  6. Allow the Rice Krispies treats to cool completely. Turn out of the pan and cut into squares.
7.8.1.2
47

https://chattavore.com/pinterest-test-kitchen-salted-brown-butter-rice-krispie-treats/

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This does not affect the cost to you. For more information, please see my disclosures. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Shared on Meal Plan Monday on Southern Bite and The Weekend Potluck on The Country Cook!

a close-up photograph of a salted brown butter Rice Krispies treat with a bite taken out of it

Filed Under: By Course, By Main Ingredients, Dessert, Easy Recipes, From Scratch, Grains and Breads, No-Bake Desserts, Recipe Videos, Recipes, Snacks, Videos Tagged With: desserts, snacks By Mary // Chattavore 15 Comments

Jalapeño Cheese Ball + Video

December 14, 2018

This jalapeño popper cheese ball is a delicious party snack that's a little bit kitschy, a lot delicious, and sure to be a crowd pleaser! | recipe from Chattavore.com

This jalapeño cheese ball is a delicious party snack that’s a little bit kitschy, a lot delicious, and sure to be a crowd pleaser! Just a few ingredients: cream cheese, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, bacon, and pecans. It’s a perfect appetizer for any get-together, especially at the holidays! Scroll down for video!
a photograph of a jalapeño cheese ball with crackers with cheese ball spread on them and slices of fresh jalapeño

Click here to save this recipe on Pinterest!

Perfect Christmas Appetizer!

To me, Christmas season is cheese ball season. Woe is the holiday gathering that does not have at least one cheese ball for me to dip a zillion crackers into. Have I told you the story about the work Christmas party where my BFF and I ate approximately 3/4 of the mango chutney cheese ball so that we could avoid uncomfortable interactions with our coworkers? I’m pretty sure I have (I definitely did in the story about this other easy cheese ball recipe) I am definitely a “linger by the refreshment table” sort of girl. It’s a blessing and a curse, really.

I certainly do not need a holiday or a party to enjoy a cheese ball, though. Show me any random Saturday night and I will show you a cream cheese based snack that Philip and I can enjoy in front of our favorite shows on Hulu. Actually, we enjoyed this jalapeño popper on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, when I had been cooking all afternoon and just couldn’t quite bring myself to assemble a full meal. And then again for a mini-lunch on Thanksgiving day, because my family ate late in the day.
an overhead photograph of a jalapeño cheese ball on a plate with crackers and slices of fresh jalapeño

Vintage Appetizer Recipes

Cheese balls seem pretty kitschy, and I’m sure that you could dig around in your mom or grandma or even great-grandma’s recipe file and find a few cheese ball recipes. You know what, though? Kitschy food can still be darn tasty, and I promise you that I’m only on board for flavor. I don’t care too much about trends (though I’ll hop on board if they’re delicious). You probably won’t catch me posting any aspics on here, but I will never apologize for my cheese balls.
a photograph of a jalapeño cheese ball on a plate with crackers and slices of fresh jalapeño

Easy Cheese Ball Recipe

My jalapeño cheese ball has all the flavors that I think that a perfect jalapeño popper should have:

  • jalapeños (duh)
  • cream cheese
  • cheddar cheese
  • bacon
  • ranch.

There’s no stuffing, roasting, grilling, or frying involved, though, and that makes this easy cheese ball approximately 1 million times easier and less mess than an actual jalapeño popper.

I used canned diced jalapeños, which meant that I didn’t have to slice and dice a bunch of peppers, but you could definitely sub in 1/2 cup of diced fresh jalapeños, or add them to the canned peppers to increase the spice level if you’re brave. Me, I found the faint tinge of spice provided by the canned peppers to be perfect for my wimpy taste buds.

But you…you can feel free to customize this jalapeño cheese ball to meet your spice needs! You could also try my Reuben cheese ball for something completely unexpected!

Shared on The Weekend Potluck on The Country Cook!

Click here to save this recipe to your Christmas or party boards on Pinterest!


Mary

Yield: 1 large cheese ball

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

15 minPrep Time:

15 minTotal Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Recipe Image

My Recipes
My Lists
My Calendar

Ingredients

  • 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 4 ounce can diced jalapeños, drained
  • 4 ounce can diced fire-roasted green chilies, drained
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • For the ranch seasoning (can sub in 2 packages of ranch dressing mix, like Hidden Valley)
  • 3 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill
  • 1 tablespoon dried chives
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients, including ranch seasoning ingredients, EXCEPT pecans, in a large bowl. Stir until well combined (I used my Kitchenaid mixer with the paddle attachment on low speed to do this). Form into a ball and roll in the chopped pecans until thoroughly coated. Chill for at least an hour. Serve with crackers.

Notes

I did not include the time to cook the bacon in the prep/cook time.

7.8.1.2
471

https://chattavore.com/jalapeno-popper-cheese-ball/

Filed Under: Appetizers, By Course, Easy Recipes, From Scratch, Recipe Videos, Recipes, Salads and Cold Dishes, Snacks, Videos Tagged With: appetizers, Christmas, entertaining, holidays, snacks By Mary // Chattavore 4 Comments

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

December 5, 2018

peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore

peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore
Peppermint bark popcorn combines some of my favorite things: peppermint bark (well, pretty much anything mint-flavored, really) and popcorn. I would happily eat popcorn as a snack every. single. day. And if a mint dessert is available I will choose it over all other options without a question unless there is also something lemon-flavored available. So when I saw chocolate peppermint bark popcorn in a magazine (“Bake It”) that my aunt gave me when she was visiting from Delaware last week, I knew this was something that I had to examine further.
peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore
Recently I discovered something wonderful: Andes peppermint crunch baking chips. Somehow I had managed to completely miss the fact that these existed (a fact of which my sister was aware and apparently she was holding out on me-what the WHA?) until I saw this recipe for Kahlua Peppermint Patties on Baker’s Royale. Um, yeah. Suffice it to say that there is also a bottle of peppermint mocha Kahlua now residing in my kitchen.
peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore I had to use the leftover peppermint crunch chips from this peppermint patty project into peppermint marshmallows (which I promise to share with you soon) so that I wouldn’t scarf them all while relaxing on the couch at night. Hashtag my jeans don’t fit right now.
peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore
I used to hate sweet popcorn. At least I thought I hated sweet popcorn. What I actually hated was caramel popcorn. I have never been an eater of Cracker Jacks, Fiddle Faddle, or any manner of caramel corn. Since I adore popcorn so much I have been the receiver of many popcorn tins and always lamented the fact that there seemed to be approximately 200% more caramel corn than cheese or butter popcorn (why, why, WHY?). However, when my secret pal bought me some white chocolate sea salted caramel popcorn from the Popcorn Pantry, I realized that my prejudice had been unfair. Popcorn coated in chocolate = stellar snack. And while I certainly won’t discourage you from trying out the varieties that Popcorn Pantry has to offer (and there are a lot!), I am going to encourage you to please please try making chocolate coated popcorn yourself just once..you’ll realize that it’s totally worth sparing yourself the drive and it’s a whole lot cheaper.

I didn’t use the recipe for peppermint bark popcorn from the magazine that my aunt Jeanie gave me, which came from Party Popcorn by Ashton Epps Swank, but thank you, Ashton, for inspiring this recipe. It’s truly as delicious as it looks and sounds and I think I’d like to eat the rest of the bag right now, except for that whole pesky jeans not fitting thing.

So package some of this peppermint bark popcorn up in some cute paper containers and give it away to your friends for Christmas-they’ll love you for it-and keep the rest for yourself!

peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore


Mary

Yield: 8-10 cups of popcorn

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Popcorn

This recipe was inspired by a recipe from Party Popcorn featured in "Bake It" magazine.

15 minPrep Time:

15 minCook Time:

30 minTotal Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Recipe Image

My Recipes
My Lists
My Calendar

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coconut, canola, or vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 bag Andes Peppermint Baking Chips
  • 1 small bag peppermint candies, unwrapped and crushed
  • 1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a large (at least 4 quart) pot, heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the popcorn and cover. Shake the pot frequently to prevent burning. When the popping slows to a pop every few seconds, remove the popcorn from the heat and pour into a very large bowl.
  2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until they have completely melted. Pour over the popcorn and stir to coat.
  3. Pour the baking chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted. Pour over the popcorn along with the crushed peppermints and the chocolate chips. Stir to coat completely. Store in an airtight container or zipper bag or divide among cute food containers or bags to give as gifts.

Notes

If you prefer, you can skip the popping step and use 8-10 cups of prepped (bagged) popcorn!

7.8.1.2
275

https://chattavore.com/peppermint-bark-popcorn/

Print the recipe for peppermint bark popcorn!
peppermint bark popcorn | chattavore

Filed Under: By Course, Dessert, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: desserts, snacks By Mary // Chattavore 10 Comments

Easy Sausage Balls from Scratch + Video

November 27, 2018

These easy sausage balls from scratch are a classic party favorite without the need for boxed mixes! #sausageballs #snacks #appetizers | Recipe from Chattavore.com

These easy sausage balls from scratch are a classic party favorite without the need for boxed mixes! Everyone at your holiday party or potluck will love them, and they are also perfect for a Christmas breakfast treat! Your family won’t be able to get enough. Sausage, cheddar cheese, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, butter, and a little milk…so easy and delicious! Scroll down for video!
a photograph of three sausage balls from scratch on a Christmas napkin with a plate of sausage balls in the background

Click here to save this recipe on Pinterest!

Christmas Food is the Best Food!

There are so many things to eat at Christmas. I could never pick a favorite. I mean, ranch Goldfish? My grandmother’s egg soufflé? All the cheese balls?? For Christmas dinner, we eat prime rib and twice baked potatoes. Can you see why I❤Christmas?

At every Christmas gathering (including my family’s Christmas breakfast) you are likely to find sausage balls. Little nuggets of breakfast sausage, cheese, and biscuit mix (aka Bisquick), these things are addictive. They’re low-calorie too, so you can eat as many as you like (⬅that’s a total lie). Truth be told, though, I don’t wait for Christmas to make sausage balls.We love to eat them for breakfast or for an occasional Saturday night snack (Saturday night is snack night in my house).
a photograph of a plate of sausage balls from scratch

No-Bisquick Sausage Balls

I have nothing against Bisquick. My mom makes her sausage balls with Bisquick and Cheez Whiz (because Cheez Whiz helps them to mix up more easily) and those things are goooood. I’m a biscuit purist, though, so I don’t keep Bisquick or any other type of baking mix in the house, so I’d rather just make my own than go buy a box when I want to make sausage balls.

Easy Sausage Balls from Scratch!

These take approximately one minute longer to make than sausage balls made with a baking mix (that minute being used, of course, to measure the ingredients) and they are every bit as delicious.

Yummy Christmas Treat!

So, whether you want to go the traditional route and use a baking mix or make these easy sausage balls from scratch, just make some sausage balls. It’s Christmas! They are perfect for a holiday potluck or party or for serving for Christmas breakfast. Everyone in your family will love them, and you don’t have to buy a box of mix to make them!

Shared on Meal Plan Monday on Southern Bite!

Click here to save this recipe to your Christmas and breakfast boards on Pinterest!

For more videos, click here to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Yield: about 60 sausage balls

Sausage Balls from Scratch

20 minPrep Time:

20 minCook Time:

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe

Recipe Image

My Recipes
My Lists
My Calendar

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes and chilled
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage (mild or hot, your choice)
  • 1 pound cheddar cheese (2 8-ounce blocks), grated
  • milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. If desired, spray 2 sheet pans with cooking spray (I actually never bother).
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add the sausage and cheese to the bowl along with a couple of tablespoons of milk. Using your hands, work the ingredients together until well-combined, adding milk a tablespoon at a time to moisten the mixture so that you can get all the dry flour (you can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to do this, but I just prefer to use my hands).
  4. Portion the sausage ball mixture into tablespoon size pieces (I use a cookie scoop to do this) and roll into balls using your palms before placing them onto the baking sheets.
  5. Bake the sausage balls until lightly browned, about 20-25 minutes. Stack on paper towels for a few minutes to absorb excess butter. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
7.8.1.2
146

https://chattavore.com/easy-sausage-balls-from-scratch/

a photograph of three sausage balls from scratch on a Christmas napkin with a plate of sausage balls in the background

Filed Under: Appetizers, Breakfast & Brunch, By Course, By Main Ingredients, Easy Recipes, How to Cook From Scratch, How-To, Pork, Recipes, Sheet Pan Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: appetizers, breakfast, cheese, snacks, special occasions By Mary // Chattavore 16 Comments

Next Page »

About Chattavore

Hi, I'm Mary! Welcome to Chattavore, a destination for people who want to feed themselves and their families well every day! Life can be crazy, which means that getting dinner on the table can be a challenge (more often than not!) and my mission is to take all your favorite recipes and figure out how to serve them on a Tuesday.

Follow Chattavore!

  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bloglovin
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • RSS

Categories


Copyright © 2023 | All content property of Chattavore and may not be reproduced without permission | Cha Creative Clique

Want recipes from scratch & restaurant reviews in your inbox weekly?
Subscribe below to get Chattavore's weekly newletter AND a free set of recipe cards to help you learn to cook from scratch!
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
 

Loading Comments...