Posting recipes from Thomas Keller and a highly modified, over the top version of rice krispie treats in the same week was an unintentional juxtaposition. Or was it? Maybe I was subliminally revealing my sometimes going from one extreme to the other nature. Here's just a glimpse at what I mean. Is it possible one could justify living without a washer and dryer for more than eighteen years while at the same time not being able to resist buying a painted antique cupboard? Yes, it is quite possible. Is it reasonable one could be responsible for having a strong grasp, tight hold on an organizational budget of more than a hundred and twenty million dollars a year and be rather loose with personal discretionary funds. Yes, it more than reasonable. Is it logical for one to maintain a fierce loyalty to their no longer in existence college team's mascot (Chief Illiniwick) yet embark on the risky venture of changing the 'face' of a team's mascot held dear to a school community? No, it wasn't logical. Welcome to my world. One sometimes highly predictable and other times slightly unforeseeable.
Regardless of whether or not I have any culinary credibility in the extremely crowded food blogging world, I wanted you to have the recipe for these almost effortless to make, certain to appeal to the inner child in all of us (or most of us), lucky Fruity Pebbles Treats. It just so happens they fall into the 'How easy is that?' category, a phrase coined by the iconic, never pretentious, food goddess, Ina Garten. And would anyone ever question Ina's credibility? Highly unlikely.
Even more important than how easy peasy or how addictively scrumptious they are, I discovered they are lucky, really lucky. Skeptical of this discovery? Would you put your skepticism aside if I told you they set off the Cubs historic three post-season game winning streak, clinching a division series on their home field? Something that hasn't happened in like forever. Think it may be a bit reckless to make the not so subtle claim that bringing Fruity Pebbles Treats to a Cubs viewing party on Saturday played a role in this Division series winning streak? Would that be more or less risky than Stephen Colbert proclaiming the Cubs will win the World Series? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on whether or not you really believe in possibility, luck, or subscribe to the belief life is too short to not take a few risks.
Even more important than how easy peasy or how addictively scrumptious they are, I discovered they are lucky, really lucky. Skeptical of this discovery? Would you put your skepticism aside if I told you they set off the Cubs historic three post-season game winning streak, clinching a division series on their home field? Something that hasn't happened in like forever. Think it may be a bit reckless to make the not so subtle claim that bringing Fruity Pebbles Treats to a Cubs viewing party on Saturday played a role in this Division series winning streak? Would that be more or less risky than Stephen Colbert proclaiming the Cubs will win the World Series? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on whether or not you really believe in possibility, luck, or subscribe to the belief life is too short to not take a few risks.
"Go big or go home. Because it's true. What do you have to lose?" (Eliza Dushku) There is no room in either the Rice Krispie or Fruity Pebble Treats world for thin, flat, on the dry side bars. Especially when you have the option of creating big, thick, chewy ones. And now you do! Hey, it's already your lucky day and you haven't even made them yet.
Three pounds of miniature marshmallows give these Fruity Pebbles Treats volume, flavor, and the most perfect chewy texture. Note: You will melt 2 2/3 pounds of the marshmallows and stir in the remaining 1/3 pound into the treat mixture.
Due to the volume of marshmallows, butter and Fruity Pebbles in this recipe, a large heavy bottomed round Dutch pan (at least 5 1/2 quarts) will help to ensure the marshmallows do not burn as well as enable you to stir all of ingredients in one pan. However, I can be a bit messy at times, so some Fruity Pebbles found there way onto the stove and floor, in spite of using an even larger cast-iron pan. If you don't happen to have one, use your deepest, heaviest pan to avoid scorching the marshmallows as they melt.
The use of a 9"x12"x2" inch metal pan will give these Fruity Pebbles Treats their wow factor thickness. To prepare the pan, lined with parchment paper, lightly butter the paper and sides and finish with a thin layer of Fruity Pebbles. The 'dry' layer of the cereal makes the removal of the paper much easier and reduces any possible stickiness.
After cutting the treats into whatever size you like, dip the cut sides in a bowl filled with some crushed cereal. This helps to creates a finished treat, one you can stack on a platter or package in cellophane bags without the worry of any 'sticking'.
Like the Chicago Cubs, these Fruity Pebbles Treats are 'winners'! No one in your family or circle of friends should have to wait forever to have them (just ask any long time, loyal Cubs fan what is feels like to wait). And hey, don't forget they just may have a luck factor associated with them. Possibly not unlike the luck eating grapes, pork, or hoppin' john at the start of a new year has been known to bring to those who believe they have the power of good fortune. Cub fans dared to believe 'again' this year. Whether or not you think they put too much faith in possibility, just look where it got them.
Fruity Pebbles Treats (slight modification to the Over the Top Rice Krispie Treats)
Makes 18 large bars
Updated July 2022
Ingredients
3 pounds (1,358g) miniature marshmallows, divided
1 pound 11.5 oz/779g) Fruity Pebbles cereal, plus additional for lining pan and topping, divided (remove 2 cups for preparing the bottom of the pan and for topping the Fruity Pebbles Treats
14-15 (198-212g) Tablespoons unsalted butter
Very generous pinch of flaky sea salt
Directions
1. Line a 9"x12" metal pan with parchment paper. Lightly butter the parchment paper and sides of pan. Using some of the reserved 2 cups of Fruity Pebbles cereal, sprinkle a thin later on the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
2. In a large, heavy bottomed (preferably cast iron) Dutch oven, melt the butter.
3. Add 2 2/3 pounds marshmallows and stirring continuously until melted.
4. Remove from heat and immediately add all of the Fruity Pebbles (except what had been reserved). Using a spatula, stir until cereal is fully coated. Stir in remaining 1/3 pound of miniature marshmallows.
5. Transfer mixture to prepared pan.
6. Sprinkle a thin layer of the Fruity Pebbles cereal on top. Spray or butter a sheet of parchment paper. Lay on top of the pan and press the Fruity Pebbles Treats down firmly.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to cool (at least 4 hours or overnight).
8. In a small bowl, crush 1 cup of Fruity Pebbles cereal, slightly crushed
9. Cut treats into squares or bars. Dip cut sides into the crushed cereal.
10. Serve and enjoy!
11. If not serving immediately, wrap treats individually in cellophane bags or in plastic wrap.
Directions
1. Line a 9"x12" metal pan with parchment paper. Lightly butter the parchment paper and sides of pan. Using some of the reserved 2 cups of Fruity Pebbles cereal, sprinkle a thin later on the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
2. In a large, heavy bottomed (preferably cast iron) Dutch oven, melt the butter.
3. Add 2 2/3 pounds marshmallows and stirring continuously until melted.
4. Remove from heat and immediately add all of the Fruity Pebbles (except what had been reserved). Using a spatula, stir until cereal is fully coated. Stir in remaining 1/3 pound of miniature marshmallows.
5. Transfer mixture to prepared pan.
6. Sprinkle a thin layer of the Fruity Pebbles cereal on top. Spray or butter a sheet of parchment paper. Lay on top of the pan and press the Fruity Pebbles Treats down firmly.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to cool (at least 4 hours or overnight).
8. In a small bowl, crush 1 cup of Fruity Pebbles cereal, slightly crushed
9. Cut treats into squares or bars. Dip cut sides into the crushed cereal.
10. Serve and enjoy!
11. If not serving immediately, wrap treats individually in cellophane bags or in plastic wrap.
Notes: (1) I used the Mega Size (27.5 ounce box of Fruity Pebbles to make the treats.
Images of the historic cotton mill in McKinney, Texas. Built in 1910, it ultimately became the largest denim manufacturer in the world. The now abandoned mill closed its doors in 1969.
