Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats
This recipe for strawberry rice crispy treats almost feels too easy to even count as a recipe. They are quick, take very few ingredients, and are ready to eat in about an hour and half. It’s not often you can check all of those boxes when coming up with a dessert recipe. Strawberry rice crispy treats get their strawberry flavor and pink hue from freeze dried strawberries. Freeze dried fruit has all of the moisture removed, giving it a strong, concentrated flavor. With the help of a food processor (or a rolling pin) freeze dried fruit can be turned into a fine powder. Because of this, adding it to recipes is a great way to give them a vibrant color and a punch of fruit flavor.
Ingredients:
In addition to freeze dried strawberries we will need just a few more ingredients: crispy rice cereal, unsalted butter, mini marshmallows, vanilla extract, and salt. All of the ingredients will be combined in one pot on the stove. The mixture will then be poured into a 9X13 inch pan. It is definitely a good idea to line your pan with greased foil or parchment paper because as we all know, marshmallows are very sticky.
Alright, let’s make them:
First, measure out ½ cup of freeze dried strawberries. Next, using either a rolling pin or a food processor, pulverize the freeze dried strawberries into a fine powder. It is totally cool if there are a few chunks in there. Set a large pot over medium heat and add the butter and mini marshmallows. Stir often until the butter and marshmallows have melted down, this took about 5 minutes for me. Turn the heat off and add the vanilla extract, salt, and pulverized freeze dried strawberries. Stir to combine and add in the crispy rice cereal.
Working quickly, stir to combine and completely coat all of the cereal with the marshmallow mixture. Once combined pour the mixture into the prepared 9X13 pan. That’s it! Told you it was easy. I garnished the top of the strawberry rice crispy treats with larger pieces of freeze dried strawberries and mini marshmallows while they were still warm. Totally optionally, but definitely cute.
For more recipes using freeze dried fruit, check out my raspberry almond poppyseed cake.
Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats
Ingredients
Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats
- 1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Prepare a 9X13 pan with greased foil or parchment paper and set aside.
- Using a food processor or rolling pin pulverize freeze dried strawberries into a powder.
- Using a large pot over medium heat melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring often. Once melted, turn off the heat.
- Add the vanilla, salt, and freeze dried strawberry powder to the pot and stir to combine. Add the crispy rice cereal. Working quickly, combine the cereal and the marshmallow mixture so all of the cereal is coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 9X13 and use the back of a spatula or spoon to press it down. If desired, garnish the top with mini marshmallows and pieces of freeze dried strawberries. Allow the rice crispy treats to set at room temperature for about an hour before slicing with a sharp knife and serving.
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