S’Mores Rice Krispie Treats
This edition of Wayback Wednesday is a bit different. This recipe was not first published ‘Wayback When’ but it’s about S’Mores and talk about something that goes WAY back, they do. I’m sure I probably had S’mores treats with my family while growing up but for me the most significant remembrance I have was enjoying them when I went with friends to Girl Scout Camp. Of most significance was just getting away; as the oldest girl of a family of 5 kids, I sometimes got tired of being ‘Mommy’s little helper.’ You know, those times when it felt more like ‘Mommy’s little slave!’ Leaving for a weekend to my Grandma’s was pure heaven so there were almost no words for getting to escape for a full week of FUN and with my BFF’s at that. With S’mores. And a boys camp nearby. Ahh…such sweet memories.
S’mores still bring sweet memories. While maybe not the same as a campfire, we’ve had them with marshmallows roasted over a firepit in recent years and I’m sure in desperation we’ve used our gas grill too. What could make us THAT desperate? In Colorado it’s called ‘Fire Restrictions’ when the weather has been too dry and it’s illegal to have a fire outdoors. Those are the years when it seems our lovely state is burning to the ground for the fools that forget to take the necessary precautions and an errant match or cigarette blazes the trail for ruining thousands of acres of woodland and in the past couple of years hundreds and hundreds of houses. So I take those restrictions seriously and these S’mores are my answer to not being able to do them outdoors.
I’ve seen copious recipes for S’More’s over the years and most are lacking an element I think crucial. That toasty almost burned marshmallow taste. S’Mores with marshmallow creme or any form of marshmallow that has not been singed can not legally be called S’Mores. OK, maybe that’s an exaggeration but come on…really? A graham cracker with a non melted piece of a Hershey candy bar and some marshmallow fluff will simply not take me back to any memory at all except maybe an aisle in the grocery store. It HAS to be ‘burn, baby, burn!’
While these ‘oh so good and really taste like the real deal’ treats are called S’Mores Rice Krispie Treats I should really reconsider that name. I wanted graham cracker flavor in the mix so my first go around I added some graham cracker crumbs. Just meh…sort of made the mix too dry without adding enough flavor. Making the base with half Rice Krispies and half crushed Golden Grahams cereal made all the difference.
I seldom take the time for multiple attempts at anything. The truth is that first attempt tasted OK but I gave them to the boy next door; not so much because of the base results but because my attempt to brown them resulted in flames in my oven that must have been 6 inches tall! I had to scrape off the marshmallow mess and start again. I love having a gas range but I learned an important lesson that day. Broiling something as sugary and light as marshmallows in an oven with a flame needs precautions to be put in place. Simple precautions as in WATCHING THEM EVERY SECOND!! I did not, hence flame and smoke detectors livened up my day. The second attempt at finding true S’Mores Rice Krispie Treats was more successful in multiple ways. The addition of the graham cracker cereal worked well to flavor them with a bit of that graham oomph and yes, the ‘not burning the marshmallows’ worked better too. I divided them up and gave a lot of them away too but it was hard; I really think I could have eaten the whole thing!
Keep the fires in your oven and make these for your Fourth of July celebration and summer cookouts. We liked them warmed just a bit in the microwave but I would wrap them in foil and put them on the grill for a few minutes too…a bit softened and melty and you will be taken back to those campfires of your youth too. Sounds good huh?
S’Mores Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 5 Tbsp butter
- 1 package about 40 large marshmallows
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 3 cups Golden Grahams cereal crushed slightly (put in plastic bag and roll with a rolling pin)
- 6 regular size Hershey Bars broken into small sections
- 1 package small marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat broiler in oven. Put shelf on 2nd row down from heating element.
- Butter the inside of a 13" X 9" pan.
- In large saucepan melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely coated.
- Add the two cereals and stir until well coated.
- Remove from heat and using a buttered spatula press the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Scatter the Hershey bar pieces evenly over the cereal mixture. Put in the oven for a minute to soften; remove and spread the chocolate evenly over the top.
- Cover the entire surface of the treats with small marshmallows. Put the pan into the oven to broil the top of the marshmallows. WATCH CLOSELY. Ovens will vary but start checking after one minute; change position of pan if necessary to brown evenly.
- Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.
Notes
Another Rice Krispie treat I love? These Belleville Bars; Rice Krispies, chocolate and caramel. Yummy!
Ahh! I love these! I apologize–I didn’t even see them before I posted my very similar version. Yours look awesome 🙂
Great minds right? 🙂
Yum…this recipe looks too good. I bet I have made a ton of rice crispy treats over the years but the marshmallows on top really gives it a new twist. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I am one of those weird people that didn’t like rice crispie treats. However, this combo could very well make me change my tune!
I like them fine but don’t really crave them or anything. These I might!
Oh, these look amazing! Love the toasty marshmallow topping!
Has to be toasty. Not burnt like my first try but definitely toasty! 🙂
I love this idea and it would be a big hit at my house! Just pinned!!
Thanks Lisa!
What lovely childhood memories are conjured up just by the mention of the word “s’mores.” For me, it’s evenings spent outdoors watching lightning bugs (you might know them as fireflies) flitter about. And I totally agree about the marshmallows – there must be some burnt edges in order to qualify for s’mores!
I knew them as both fireflies and lightning bugs but alas; NONE at high altitude.They are sort of magical little creatures and I hate my girls grew up without that evening experience. But then they also grew up without June bugs so guess there is balance in the universe. 🙂 Thanks for sharing Lana; I love how foods can evoke such strong memories and I know you do too.
this is a great idea for krispie treats. yum!
Thanks Dina; they got a thumbs up from all who tried them!
You know my thoughts on both s’mores and rice krispie treats but oh did you bring this American girl back to her childhood. Who didn’t love a great s’more (or 3) and a great rice krispie treat (or 3)? I did I did!!! And ooooh these look fabulous!! I think these would be fabulous for a 4th of July party!
I can’t hear the word S’more without being transported back to those days; so carefree and fun. Now if only that could be real life now…forget Calgon; S’Mores take me away!
I just need to find a sub for the Graham crackers in this recipe and we’re good to go. All the way to diabetes land!
Just use all rice krispies; I subbed out half of them and used the graham cereal. Just go backwards. 🙂
This is NOT the rice krispies treats of my past. My mother has a lot to answer for here! I would love these!
I made some last year that were so good too…layered rice krispie treats with caramel and chocolate. My kids want to know why I didn’t make those for them. 🙂
What a creation! Love the addition of the Golden Grahams too. I recently made smores with my niece and nephews while visiting PA and hadn’t had one in years. Oh it was good! I am sure I’d like your rice krispie treat variation too.
I have always loved them and I loved my 2nd take on these. I won’t deny that flame (FIRE) was scary and I’ve learned my lesson. Bottom rack. 🙂
These are so fun! Definitely agree that the charred marshmallows are a must.
Right? No way they count without it! 🙂
I never went to Girl Scout Camp (with or without a Boys Camp nearby!) and I’m glad that you have those happy memories of those times.
These S’More treats look wonderful. Re-heating them on the grill sounds like a great idea too. Glad you had a second go at this recipe and I’m sure the boy next door was delighted that you weren’t happy with the first batch 😉
Yeah, he made it clear he is always up for my fails…or even my not so fails! It was the highlight of a couple of my summers; I remember it so fondly so glad I had that experience Paula.
Although I never went to Girl Scout Camp 🙂 my sisters all did. And S’Mores were all they ever talked about afterwards. I haven’t had these in years and years, so this does take me back. Good stuff! Thanks.
They have sure lasted haven’t they John; still as popular today as ever and now I have made a safe version (that is if you don’t burn down the house with the broiler!). 🙂