The Fourth of July — our American Independence Day — has been one of my favorite holidays since childhood, right up there with Christmas. It’s hot weather and watermelon . . . sparklers and sno-cones . . . bright streamers of light painting the canvas of the night sky.
It has always been magical for me — a day when everyone in our nation comes together for family barbeques, neighborhood block parties and city firework shows. United we stand for a day.
As a mother, I love building upon the memories of my childhood to create new memories and traditions for my wee kidlets. And, the beautiful thing about making new memories is that “simple” works.
These patriotic-inspired sweets — Rice Krispies Treat Sparklers — are about as simple as it gets. . . and a sure-fire favorite for my kidlets, who had the privilege of sampling these when I made them earlier this week.
(oh, the lives of a food blogger’s children!)
They were captivated by the vivid colors, the quirky stars and the fact that everything was on a stick. What is is about food on a stick, anyway? It seems like anything on a stick — whether bamboo skewers or paper lollipop sticks — is more exciting and fun!
With these red, white and blue treats in hand, we sat outside in their “clubhouse” and talked about the coming national holiday, fireworks, and family. And, with pleading, strawberry-stained smiles and marshamallow-sticky hands, they asked me to make the Sparklers again for Independence Day.
I think they agree with me: simple treats and simple family time make the best memories.
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 1 10-ounce bag of mini-marshmallows
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
- 6 cups of puffed rice (“Rice Krispies”) cereal
- Strawberries (one per sparkler)
- Blueberries (3-4 per sparkler)
- Star shaped cookie cutter
- Food skewers or lollipop sticks
- Ribbon (optional)
- In a heavy duty saucepan (I use a large stockpot to give myself plenty of room for stirring in the cereal), melt the butter over low heat.
- When completely melted, add the marshmallows and stir continuously until melted.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- Remove from heat and add in the cereal, stirring until completely coated and mixed in.
- Pour coated cereal onto wax paper or buttered foil and spread out to the thickness of your cookie cutter. As you spread it out, keep the mixture compact — don’t allow any “holes” to form as the cereal moves under the pressure of your spatula (or wax paper if using that to shape the cereal mixture).
- Once completely flat and thin enough for your cookie cutter to go through, allow the cereal mixture to cool and firm up. (Note: if you live in a high-humidity area like I do, this may take as much as 30 minutes)
- Once cooled, press your cookie cutter into the hardened mixture, remove the cut out treat from the cutter and set aside. Repeat.
- Starting with the strawberries, skewer the washed and trimmed fruit onto the wooden food skewers or lollipop sticks.
- Carefully add one Rice Krispies treat on to the top of each skewer.
- You can tie a ribbon to the stick/skewer, just below the strawberry for more festive color (and it helps support the heavy strawberry).
- Serve and enjoy!
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
{Melinda} My kids are 12 and 15, but I think they’d love these, too!
Mothering From Scratch recently posted..The Secrets of Sirens and Sauce
Oh these are just too cute! I love the idea and I bet our kids would have a blast making these.
RJ recently posted..The Furnace For Gold
These will be fabulous for our 4th of July party! Thanks for sharing.
Whitney at It’s Gravy, Baby! recently posted..Saving Lives in Memory of Kolby
This is a great idea. Simple and easy to make and what a display!
Katy recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Garden Update
Very cute. Perfect for July 4th!
Rachel, those are awesome… I’ve got to make those for my girls.
Susan recently posted..Benefits of Easy Turf Artificial Grass
These are super cute and look so easy! Thanks for the idea.
I love the creativity…My daughter is 3 and she loves colors shapes and anything fun to make in the kitchen. We will surely enjoy recreating this!
myfudo recently posted..savory dishes: summertime & nelly’s bbq spare ribs
wahh these are so lovely! where did you get these rice krispies?cant find these at the supermarket here
kimi recently posted..Party venues Melbourne Eastern Suburbs: Fun all the Way
Love this – and so simple! I guarantee this will be a part of our 4th of July table. Thanks for the inspiration.
Nicole recently posted..Outdoor Lighting Tips for Your Summer Party
These are super cute. I am going to knock my kiddos socks off. Thanks.
Nicole Robinson recently posted..WORMLY WEDNESDAY: Hallmark Contests Perfect for Creative Moms
I absolutely love this idea! I will have to make this a tradition at our house. Thanks for sharing
These are definitely gonna be at my barbecue this year.
My goal is to make every snack fourth of july themed!
Michaela for HaveDeals recently posted..How to Decorate Fourth of July Brownie Pops
These are really lovely..and look cute to..will surely try this quick recipe..
This is such a cute idea! I’m including it in my Tips and Tricks post for the 4th of July with a link back to your site of course! Hope you get lots of visitors! Blessings.
wow. My daughter is absolutely going to love these. Thanks!
I’m loving this idea – simple and easy, my daughter will love making these
Too cute and sounds delicious!!
I featured your recipe on my blog today, feel free to come check it out
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2012/07/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-38.html
Lindsay recently posted..Pinteresting Features ‘n Shtuff #38
I’m making these tomorrow with my boys to bring to a 4th barbeque! Can’t wait to see how they turn out!
Megan recently posted..Stacked Sea Glass Necklace, Cobalt Blue and White Sea Glass by MoonlightBayJewelry
Had a hard time with my rice crispy treats…be sure to make them as tight and thick as possible. Mine couldn’t handle the skewers I used (maybe thinner skewers was the trick) Will try again. The presentation is so cute! Thanks for the idea.
Super cute! I made them this weekend, but even though I waited until the next day to put them on skewers, they were still too soft and fell apart/off the stick shortly after.
Mindy recently posted..{Alex} – 9 Months