samoa (caramel delite) rice krispie treats
Where I'm from, these famously delicious cookies are referred to as Caramel Delites. I know all too well because not only are they my grandpa's favorite cookie, but I also happened to sell these bad boys back in the day. That's right, you're looking at a proud member of Girl Scout Troop #202 circa 1994. Girl Scout cookies were a little cheaper back then and we could sell them door to door- this was prior to the whole table-in-front-of-Walmart business that goes on now. Don't get me wrong- I'm thankful for those Girl Scouts hangin' out in front of the grocery store. In fact, I hunt them down. That's the only part about going to Walmart I actually look forward to. Zach and I recently loaded up on Girl Scout cookies on a Sunday grocery run and we've been inhaling them ever since.
Fastforward a week or two and Bear and I were perusing the aisles of Target one day when I spotted this cereal. A lightbulb went off and I knew I had to create Caramel Delite Rice Krispie Treats. I honestly thought, in that moment, that I was some kind of foodie Einstein. I even told Zach at dinner that night my ingenious plan and how I'd surely come up with the best recipe idea since, well, Caramel Delites. It hit me all of a sudden that perhaps I wasn't the first to think of this creation and after a quick search on Pinterest, all my Betty-Crocker-Wannabe dreams were crushed. Sure enough, these yummy bars have been made before. BUT, never like this and never using this limited edition cereal! So I'm still taking credit and regardless of who's idea it was, these Samoa Rice Krispies are to die for.
Regular Rice Krispie treats can't hold a light to these decadent, rich, chocolatey bars. They really do taste like a Samoa hybrid, chock full of sweet coconut and covered in milk chocolate. The secret is chewy toasted coconut mixed into a melted caramel and heavy cream heaven. If you love this trusty Girl Scout cookie, you're going to want to eat the whole pan of these. Trust me.
Samoas, Caramel Delites, whatever you call them...they're addictingly delicious. And turned into rice krispie treats? All diets are out the door.
Ingredients:
For the Rice Krispie Treats:
1/3 cup butter
5 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups Caramel Crunch cereal
For the Samoa Layer:
11 oz. bag of caramels
2 tbs heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cups coconut
3 cups milk chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Melt butter over medium heat in a large sauce pan.
2. Add in marshmallows and stir together till marshmallows are completely melted.
3. Pour in cereal and stir together till cereal is completely coated.
4. Pour cereal into a 9x13 in pan and press down evenly.
5. In a medium sized sauce pan combine caramels and heavy cream over medium heat.
6. Stir until caramel is melted and smooth.
7. Toast coconut on a baking tray in an oven heated to 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, stirring regular to avoid burning.
8. Stir toasted coconut into the melted caramel and pour evenly over the top of rice krispie treats.
9. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments (for about 90 seconds total), stirring after each until smooth.
10. Slice rice krispie treats into pieces and remove from pan.
11. Dip the bottom of each piece into the chocolate.
12. Put remaining chocolate into a small ziplock bag and snip the corner.
13. Drizzle chocolate over the top of each treat.
14. Let chocolate set completely and serve.
It's off to bed (soon-ish) for this mama because Bear has his first tball game tomorrow and it's going to be an all day event! We've got to be at the ballpark at 8:30am for opening ceremonies and Bear's game isn't until 1pm, so here's hoping he still has any energy left to play at that point. Who am I kidding? He'll be just fine. It's Zach and I that will be on the struggle bus when it comes to energy levels. One thing's for sure- I'll be keeping the concession stand in business with trips every few minutes for sno-cones, pickles, nachos, hot dogs, and everything in between. I love me some baseball food.
Hope you all have an amazing weekend!!
xo, Britt