Brown Rice Krispy Treats. Clean Eating.

Valentine’s Day is this Friday and I’ll admit, I don’t get caught up in all of the pomp and circumstance like I used to.  I know that sounds really lame but I like to think that I show my husband and family love throughout the year and not on one special day.  Please no hate emails!  I will make a special dinner at home, quiet and low key.  I found the cutest gifts for my girls in January that I’m actually excited to give to them and my husband… my rock!  I got him several pieces of Lululemon summer shorts/tees on sale and already gave it to him.  Ha.  I’m pathetic- yes I know.    

With Valentine’s ready to go to school for my youngest, I did want to whip up a fun treat for my family to enjoy without tons of junk in them.  So I thought of what was gooey and sticky and would work to grab ahold of these fun X and O sprinkles I had on hand.  Rice Krispy treats!  Perfect!  Also, with the frigid temps we have… they would set up in seconds outside… and that’s exactly what they did!  My daughter gobbled two down on the way home from school.  Super cute!  Super yummy and PROTEIN packed!  Now there is something to LOVE {swoon}.

Customize these to your holiday or event.  Would be perfect shaped like eggs for Easter, with green sprinkles for St. Patty’s Day.  Let your mind go wild with fun ideas!

Ingredients:

3 heaping cups of brown rice cereal
1/2 cup of maple syrup
1/2 cup of almond butter (I used Justin’s Maple almond butter)
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup of sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, cocoa nibs etc.  (optional)

Directions:

Measure out your rice cereal and place in a large mixing bowl.  Set aside.

Line an 8×8 or 9×9 glass baking dish with parchment (overlapping over the sides).  Set that aside.

In a large measuring bowl combine the syrup, almond butter and vanilla.  Microwave for 40 seconds or until hot and melty (will look like caramel).  Add salt and whisk really well.  Then pour over your cereal and mix well with a spoon.  Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and press the mixture down.  I actually use a piece of parchment on top of the mixture so I can use a glass to roll over the cereal to pat it down really well.  Then sprinkle your topping over the cereal mixture and begin pressing down again.  Then refrigerate (or if it’s cold), put it outside for 15 minutes.  Remove and slice or use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes – I used a large heart.

— Knead to Cook