Just like that, it is time to start thinking about the holidays. There will be parties, presents, and lots of food! I am always looking to include something that is delicious and yet adds some sort of nutritional value to the table. Now that most of my gatherings include the children of loved ones, I also like to consider what a child would also be receptive to trying. There are so many variations on cereal based treats. They are easy to make, can incorporate many different flavors, and don’t require baking. Another plus is that you can actually involve kids in the process of creating by letting them measure ingredients, stir, press them into a pan, or even form into shapes . This makes it perfect for getting family together for cookie baking and allowing everyone to take part.
This recipe uses nut butter and honey instead of marshmallows. You could easily use soy nut or sunflower butter if you wanted them to be nut free. I used a brown rice cereal, similar to the popular crispy rice cereal we all know and love, but generally found in the “natural” section of the cereal aisle. Brown rice syrup could be used instead of honey if you need a vegan version.
Brown Rice Treats
Ingredients:
3 cups brown rice cereal
¼ cup no-stir peanut butter
1 tablespoon coconut oil
½ cup honey
1 tsp. Vanilla
Directions:
- Line a 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, letting some hang over the edge. This will help make removal super easy.
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, add the peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla, stirring until the peanut butter is melted and fully combined with the honey.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cereal until fully combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the lined pan and press with your hands (you can place another sheet of parchment over the mixture to keep your hands from getting sticky) to tightly pack the mixture into the pan.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to cool before cutting and serving.
Happy ( Healthy) Holidays, Angela