Owl Rice Krispie Treats
An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 8-10 minutes
Makes 9 owls
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55g/1.9ozs butter
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280g/9.8ozs marshmallows
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2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
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Fat pinch salt
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Brown or black food colouring (I made two batches one black one brown) omit if using coco pops
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135g/4.7ozs puffed rice cereal (or cocoa pops)
To decorate
- 200g/7ozs dark chocolate
- 18 cashews
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 18 mini Oreos
- 9 orange or yellow mini m&ms
Step 1 - Line the base and sides of a 20x20cm/8x8inch square tin and spray lightly with non stick oil spray. Spray a silicon spatula too. Add the butter to a large 26cm/10.2inch or so non stick frypan with 2 inch high sides on medium heat. Once melted, add the brown food colouring and mix well until you get a uniform colour. Add the marshmallows, vanilla and salt and stir with the spatula to melt. Once everything is completely mixed, turn down the heat to low and add the puffed rice and stir well. Make sure that all of the rice is coated.
Step 2 -Scoop into the prepared tin and allow to cool for 3 minutes (the mixture is very sticky when its freshly hot). Then take the oiled spatula and press down firmly making sure that the rice cereal is compacted tightly. Get into the corners and spread it down flat. Cool for 10 minutes. Slide out of the tin and cut into 9 squares.
Step 3 - Line a large baking tray with parchment. Melt the chocolate in the microwave on medium heat until liquid and stir the coconut oil in well making sure there are no streaks left. Firmly but gently push in two cashews on top of a square (it is best to do this part just after they're made as they become harder upon cooling). Spoon the melted chocolate on top covering the cashews and the top 1/4 of the square. Place on the parchment lined tray and allow to set (pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes or so until set if you need to).
Step 4- Twist apart the mini Oreos and take the half with the frosting and spoon some chocolate on the other side and affix two of these to the owls to make eyes. Repeat for the rest. Then dip an m&m slightly into the chocolate and affix a nose. Then place the still melted chocolate into a small piping bag or zip lock bag and pipe small eyes on the white frosting. Make your owls cross eyed or looking in different directions.
Step 5 -Then using a serrated knife, cut the remaining uniced Oreo cookie in half (using a sawing motion). Dab some chocolate on one side and affix these above the eyes to make eyebrows. Allow the chocolate to set completely. Store in an airtight container with a layer of parchment between to prevent them from sticking. These will last for up to a week like this or freeze for up to 2 months. They do not need to be refrigerated.