These tasty treats don't require baking
For after-school snacks and bake sales, no-bake cookies are an excellent choice. Not only are they delicious, they often are easy enough for children to help make. They will learn math skills as they measure ingredients and feel pride in the treat they helped create.
When cooking with kids, establish some basic rules of safety for everyone to follow. For example, they shouldn’t run around while hot or sharp items are present. And children are never too young to get used to washing their hands before and after handling food.
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Crispy Pretzel Bars
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
5 cups crisp rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies
2 cups pretzel sticks
1 cup plain candy-coated chocolates, such as M&M’s
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the sugar and corn syrup. Microwave on high until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add peanut butter and stir until blended. Add the cereal, pretzels and candy; stir until coated. Press into a 15x10-inch pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cool; cut into bars. Makes about 5 dozen bars.
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Sweet Cereal Bars
8 cups toasted rice cereal, such as Special K
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
Pour cereal in a large bowl; set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil; remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla; blend well. Pour mixture over cereal and mix well. Press into a 13x9-inch pan coated with nonstick cooking spray and allow to cool. For frosting, melt chips together and spread over bars. Let cool; cut and serve. Makes about 3 dozen bars.
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Pantry Pointers
If you have extra cookies in the house that are too big of a temptation, consider giving some of the cookies away. Friends, coworkers and senior citizens often appreciate a homemade treat, especially when created by young but ambitious children.
Melting chocolate chips in the microwave is easy, but there is a technique. Begin by putting the chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time the microwave stops. Chips hold their shape even when they are melting, and the stirring allows the heat to be evenly distributed. Otherwise, they could become dry or even burnt.
The Practical Pantry © 2004 Tammy P. Olson
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