Crispy Nutty Fruit Bars

Here is a twist on the traditional Rice Krispie treats. I reduced the amount of crisped rice and added some nuts and dried berries. The hardest thing about this recipe is getting the marshmallow bowl clean at the end (Hint: use very, very hot soapy water)

Prep: Use some softened butter to grease one 9 x 13 baking pan and set aside (do the bottom and the insides)

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter NOT margarine
• 1 – 10 oz. (about 40) regular marshmallows -or- 4 cups miniature marshmallows (I think the minis are easier to melt)
• 3 1/2 Cups nuts and dried fruit (use any kind, I used walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, almonds, cranberries and raisins)
• 2 1/2 Cups crispy rice cereal

Put the nuts in a food processor and chop them up. Set aside

Put the marshmallows and butter into a large microwave safe bowl. Melt in microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes — stir and microwave for another minute (CAUTION: the marshmallows will fluff up so keep a close eye on them the last minute)

Or you can use a saucepan and melt them atop the stove. Melt the butter first and then add the marshmallows.

Put the chopped nuts/fruit and the crispy rice into a large mixing bowl.

Add the melted marshmallow to the nuts/fruit and rice. Mix until well combined. The marshmallows will cool quickly so you gotta work pretty fast. I find it is easiest if you put on some disposable food prep gloves and use your hands to mix it.

Using the gloves again, spread the mixture into your greased 9 x 13 pan. (Or you can used a butter spatula or some waxed paper to press the mixture into the pan). Cut into desired sized bars.

Notes:

– Fresh marshmallows work best

– You can use 1 jar of marshmallow cream if you like instead of melting the marshmallows

– Don’t use anything but BUTTER

– You can store at room temperature for up to 2 days (IF THEY LAST THAT LONG)

– You can freeze these bars too … I put them as separate bars on a cookie sheet and flash freeze them and then individually wrap them and pop them into a freezer bag. Let them thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes and they are delish!