It’s that time of year for camping or RVing, and I’m all in. I like to plan the meals, of course, and I love to explore. It is one of the best ways to experience our planet.
Camping always brings me back to my Girl Scout days in Blanco Canyon. They are some of my favorite memories. Learning to cook on the campfire was thrilling. And the food always tasted better than any.
I also like the idea of camping right in our own backyard. Although my husband and I had said for years we wanted to sleep out on the patio—complete with cots and sleeping bags on a cool night—we finally set it up a couple of years ago. The temperature was just right, it was a quiet and peaceful night, and the breeze was perfect. But for some reason those old cots seemed way harder to sleep on than they used to be. I tossed and turned, and noticed my husband was doing the same. I think neither of us wanted to say anything. After about an hour, one of us, and I honestly can’t remember which one of us, said, “I think I’m going to have to take to the bed, I’m just miserable.” And the other said, “Oh, thank goodness, so am I!” It was fun trying, though, and maybe next time we can find something softer to sleep on.
One thing we can always count on, whether we camp in the mountains, or in the backyard, and whether the cots are comfortable or not: camp food is always better. And it’s especially good after a long day of activities, hiking, exploring, or playing games. S’mores are classic camp treats, and they actually taste just as good at home. I love the simplicity of rice crispy treats, too, and thought I’d try combining them for a fun staycation treat.
Stay safe! Enjoy the warm weather, and enjoy food made fresh!
S’more Crispy Treats
3 tablespoons butter, plus some for the pans
50 large marshmallows
6 cups crispy rice cereal
4 graham crackers (2-by-4 inches each) broken into pieces
3 to 4 ounces milk chocolate (bars broken into pieces)
Butter a 9-by-13 inch dish, and a medium baking sheet. Preheat the broiler with the rack positioned about 12-inches below. Count out 30 large marshmallows and set the other 20 aside. Place the 30 marshmallows onto the buttered baking sheet. Place under the broiler and toast for 60 to 90 seconds, watching carefully.
In the meantime, place 3 tablespoons butter and remaining marshmallows into an extra large mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir, and microwave on high for another 30 seconds.
Stir the toasted marshmallows, while still hot, into the melted marshmallow and butter. Stir in rice cereal, then add graham cracker and chocolate pieces.
Turn mixture out into the buttered 9-by-13 dish. Press down evenly into the pan, (butter your hands if the mixture is too hot, or too sticky). Let set and cut into squares.
OPTIONAL (as pictured): Melt 10 additional large marshmallows in the microwave on high for 30 to 40 seconds. Stir until smooth. Spread evenly over the top of the S’more Crispy Treats (in an ovensafe 9-by-13 inch pan) and place under the broiler for a 60 to 90 seconds to create a toasted marshmallow topping.
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