Feb 2, 2013

Cinnamon Toast Crunch & White Chocolate Marshmallow Bars with Butterscotch Frosting


Ok, yes these are some-what glorified rice krispy treats, using cinnamon toast crunch instead of rice krispies.  I was hesitant, and I mean BEYOND hesitant to even post these bars.  I mean, come on...making rice krispy treats is not exactly rocket science.  And the intent of this blog is to push myself to learn how to bake like a pro, BUT...after tasting these there was no way I could keep the recipe to myself.  So think of this recipe as my day off. 
 
The inspiration to whip up these sugary-dense yet chewy squares of awesomeness was a bag of marshmallows that's been sitting in my pantry since Christmas.  Having a bag of marshmallows in the house is like money burning a hole in your pocket.  You must use them, the longer they sit there the more antsy I become.  I am the same way whenever there is large quantities of candy in the house.  Remember the Fluffernutter & Kit Kat Almost Fudge Bars?...same thing. 
 
So what the heck else can you do with large marshmallows besides s'mores or rice krispy treats?  I don't have a marshmallow gun and we're not camping folk so marshmallow bars it is.  I love using bullet-proof, corn-syrup-ie, preservative-gone-wild types of cereal for making marshmallow treats.  Rice Krispies are great, but you know been there, done that, WAY too many times.
 
I knew I wanted to use butterscotch chips for the frosting, so cinnamon toast crunch seemed like a perfect pairing.  You can swap out any cereal for these bars, and even switch up the butterscotch chips for chocolate or white chocolate.  These are pretty darn versatile.
 
And lastly, a head's up.  Find yourself a sturdy spoon to combine the marshmallows and cereal.  DO NOT, repeat DO NOT use a wooden spoon straight from the dishwasher.  The wood needs time to dry and the spoon is...well, vulnerable.
 
Can I just say I break wooden spoons on a monthly basis?  Thanks Mom for always keeping me stocked.


Cinnamon Toast Crunch & White Chocolate Marshmallow Bars with Butterscotch Frosting
makes 16 squares
printable version

Ingredients

For the bars:
2 tablespoons butter
1 bag (10 ounces) Jet-Puffed Marshmallows
4 heaping cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
1 cup white chocolate chips

For the butterscotch frosting:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup milk
6 ounces butterscotch chips

Directions
Spray a 9 x 9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

To prepare the bars, first spray a large stock pot and heavy-duty spoon with non-stick cooking spray.  Melt butter in pot over medium heat. 

Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. 


Add cereal and gently stir to coat with the marshmallows.  Add chocolate chips and stir to combine.  Some will melt, that's okay.


Transfer mixture to the 9 x 9 prepared pan.  Using a piece of waxed paper, gently push cereal mixer into pan.  Be sure to compact well, otherwise when you cut into bars you will have gaps/holes.


Meanwhile, to prepare the frosting, combine the sugar, butter, and milk in a small saucepan.  Continue stirring until completely melted.  


Bring mixture to boil for 1 minute.


Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips.  Continue stirring until smooth and all the chips have melted.


Pour mixture over bars and use an off-set spatula to spread evenly.

Transfer bars to the refrigerator for about an hour for the frosting to set. 

Cut into squares and enjoy! 
 
 

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