With summer winding down, I must share this fun treat that kids go crazy for! It would be a perfect ending to a BBQ, a great treat for the first day of school, or just something to say, "I love you". Quick and easy to make, but definitely something that is super fun.
Watermelon Crispy Treats
Makes 8
For the Green Rind:
2 cups gluten free crispy rice cereal
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
Green food coloring
For the Red Watermelon Center:
2 1/2 cups gluten free crispy rice cereal
2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
2 tablespoons butter
Red food coloring
Mini chocolate chips for seeds
Prepare an 8-inch cake pan by spraying with non-stick spray. Begin by making the green rind. Add 2 cups of cereal to a bowl. In a 4-cup glass measuring cup, melt 2 cups marshmallows with 1 1/2 tablespoons butter on high for 1-2 minutes, or until puffy. Stir and add the green food coloring to reach desired color. Pour the mixture over the cereal and stir together quickly using a spatula. With wet hands, press the green rind around the outer edge of the cake pan. Repeat with the red watermelon center. Add some mini chocolate chips for seeds once it's cooled. Press the mixture in the middle and to the edges of the green rind. Top with additional mini chocolate chips. Allow to cool completely and set before cutting into 8 slices.
Step-by-step tutorial:
Gather your ingredients. You will need gluten free rice crisp cereal, butter, miniature marshmallows, red and green food coloring, and mini chocolate chips.
Start by making the green rind. Add 2 cups cereal to a large bowl. In a 4 cup glass measuring cup, melt 2 cups marshmallows and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in the microwave. Cook on high for 1-2 minutes, watching closely. Remove when puffed up, then stir until melted and smooth. Add green food coloring to achieve desired color.
Pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal and stir quickly until fully combined.
Using wet hands, press the mixture into an 8-inch greased cake pan around the edge. I used a silicon pan, so no greasing required. Set aside.
To make the red center, do the same as the green but with 2 1/2 cups cereal, 2 1/2 cups marshmallows, and 2 tablespoons butter. Add red food coloring to get desired color, then pour over the cereal.
Stir to coat all. Let cool a bit, then stir in about 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips.
Using wet hands, press this mixture into the center of the cake pan. Make sure it is even with the green rind. You can press down quite hard, so it sticks to the green. Press a few more chocolate chips onto the top.
Allow to cool completely, then invert onto a cutting board. Cut into 8 watermelon slices.
These crispy treats are always a hit. My kids always ask if they taste like watermelon, which I suppose you could do by adding some flavoring, but we like the taste of regular rice crispy treats best!
Bring these to a picnic or BBQ and watch how fast they disappear!
Watermelon is such a summer fruit, but the good thing about these watermelon slices is that you can make them year around. Enjoy!
Recipe Source: Shanna's recipe box