Last week, I needed to bring a gluten-free dessert to my daughter’s school. I was trying to decide what to make when I remembered the strawberry-lemon crisps we had recently enjoyed at a neighborhood restaurant. The owner, a family friend, brought some for our kids and, to our surprise, the bars were happily loaded with dried strawberries and bright pieces of lemon peel. Fruity, sticky and delicious, they tasted just like childhood summers.
To make this easy twist on the classic, I crushed freeze-dried strawberries, a Trader Joe’s staple in our house, and sprinkled a lemon on top of the cereal mix. Since almost every brand of crunchy rice cereal has the recipe printed on the box, this age-old dessert is practically a no-recipe recipe. It can’t be simpler than this.
Strawberry-Lemon Rice Krispie Treats
Makes about 12 servings
6 tbsp butter
1 16-ounce bag mini marshmallows
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
7 cups crisped rice cereal
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
juice from one lemon
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang, which will make it easier to remove the bars.
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Once the marshmallows are completely sticky, add the vanilla extract and remove from heat.
Meanwhile, measure cereal into a large mixing bowl. Crush the freeze-dried strawberries (it’s easiest to do this when they’re in the package) and add about 1/2 cup to the bowl. Sprinkle lemon over cereal mixture and stir. Then pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal and mix until well coated.
Pour the cereal mixture into the baking pan and press into an even layer. You can use a spatula but my kids think it’s funnier to use a potato masher (gently!). At this point, I like to sprinkle a little more strawberry dust and lemon juice on top, just for show!
Cool at room temperature for at least an hour before cutting into bars.
Comment: Traditional Kellogg’s Rice Krispies are not gluten-free because they are made from malt, but many store-brand Krispy Rice cereals are gluten-free. creates nature’s path Crispy Rice Cereal She’s also vegan, and you can even use vegan butter and marshmallows (I love this one). Trader Joe’s Marshmallows).
What’s your favorite Rice Krispies treat add-in? For years, mine was brown butter with sea salt. Any other changes to the childhood classics? It’s my ear!
PS Lazy ice cream, and everyone’s favorite strawberry cake.
