National Cereal Day!

Yes people, that's right, I said it. Today is National Cereal Day. Who knew? I sure didn't. You can imagine how blown away I was to find out that there is an actual day set aside to pay tribute to cereal. This is fantastic! It might just be the most important day of the year, I mean beside National Peanut Butter Day, and all. You know how I feel about that day. I mean, seriously, I think we should close down the schools for this day, just so the children and adult children...you know, the kids at heart, can celebrate with their fave cereal. 

Growing up, I was a cereal fanatic! Cinnamon Toast Crunch was my #1 bff. I remember packing it in little plastic zipper bags to eat for breakfast on my way to if I was late, or drinking the yummy cinnamon-y sugary cereal milk that was left over in my bowl afterwards. That was the only time I considered ever drinking milk...when it tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or was masked by a delicious cereal potion. My second fave was Frosted Mini-Wheat's, which I would only eat at my grandma's house (and to this day still do). You see, I refused to eat it anywhere else other than my Mamaw's house because to me, Frosted Mini-Wheat's just taste better served up by my grandma. She always had a full stock of kiddy cereals in her wooden cupboard (yes, I said cupboard), including the miniature boxes of Frosted Mini-Wheat's ready to go for me! 

The truth is, I love all cereals! When I'm sick I eat Honey Nut Cheerios...it just tastes comforting, then there is Cheerios' lil sister, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes,...and the most important reason why we are here today...

I had three imaginary friends that I would chat with on the occasional morning before school...Snap, Crackle, and Pop. They thought I was pretty awesome. They were even better friends when they were mixed up in an ooey, gooey, sticky square, otherwise known as the Rice Krispie Treat. O yes. Ironically enough, I had never even made a homemade Rice Krispie Treat until yesterday, that is. 

This Rice Krispie Treat is made with better ingredients

you know, stuff without 559457 chemicals in it

with words you can pronounce like Brown Rice Syrup 

and peanut butter...what did you expect?

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie

Treats

For kids and grown-ups, alike!

Get Some.

Happy National Cereal Day!!!

What's Your Favorite Cereal?

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats (recipe slightly adapted from Gluten-Free Goddess):

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c. brown rice syrup

3/4 c. peanut butter

2 T. coconut oil

2 t. pure vanilla extract (I used Mexican Vanilla)

6 c. Rice Krispie Cereal

Instructions:

1. Line a 9x13 in. baking pan with parchment paper that extends up along the sides. Pour the rice krispie's in a large heat-safe mixing bowl.

2. In a sauce pan, heat the brown rice syrup over medium heat and stir until it begins to bubble a bit.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in peanut butter, coconut oil,  and vanilla extract. As you stir, the mixture should become glossy and elastic, much like caramel taffy.

4. Carefully pour the warm syrup mixture over the rice krispie's, using a silicone spatula to gently stir and coat all of the cereal.

5. Scoop the coated cereal into the prepared baking pan, gently smooth out the top surface, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until the bars are firm to the touch.

6.  Remove them from the pan, gripping the parchment edges, place on a cutting board, and cut (using a large sharp knife), into squares.

7. Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge.

Note: Feel free to drizzle these babies in chocolate or smear with peanut butter for an afternoon snack...or breakfast!

Makes 24 squares. 

MANGIA!!!