Tag: Karo corn syrup

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars are the ultimate kid-friendly sweet treat. I love this version most since I always seem to have the ingredients on hand. They are a cross between Scotcheroos and the classic Rice Krispie bars we all know and love.

With just 5 ingredients you can be noshing on these sweet treats within 15 minutes of the craving striking.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

For These Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

All you need is love…oh, and these 5 ingredients =)

  1. Rice Krispies cereal
  2. light corn syrup
  3. granulated sugar
  4. peanut butter
  5. chocolate chips

This was the go-to cereal bar in my family when I was growing up. It was a toss up between these and haystack type cookies as our favorite after-school treats. Both are no-bake cookie bars so they are easy for kids to pitch in and help make.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

How Do You Scotcheroo?

Including butterscotch chips in the topping with chocolate chips would make these more of an official Scotcheroo, but you can vary up a lot of things and still give them that title, like using Special K cereal instead of Rice Krispies, or adding a sprinkling of sea salt or chopped peanuts, or even using an alternate nut butter. Tailor yours to your taste buds.

Apparently September 18 is Rice Krispies Treats Day, but you need no excuse to whip up a batch. Enjoy!

-Cyndi

p.s. By the way, if you love Rice Krispies, be sure to check out one of our all-time favorite cookies, these Chewy Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies. The recipe has Rice Krispies in them and a fun combination of other ingredients. 

Homemade Sea Salt Caramels

Homemade Sea Salt Caramels.  These little sweet treats make terrific little gifts for friends and family. The creation was a blue ribbon winner at the San Diego County Fair back in 2013. They are a go-to recipe for any candy lover. Recipe credit goes to Nancy Flint. My niece Crystal made them and I am seriously drooling. The recipe is short and sweet and she put together a terrific “how to” so you can experience them yourself.  Thanks to Karo Corn Syrup for supporting this recipe contest for the best bite-size sweet treats. Enjoy!

-Cyndi

Sea Salt Caramels closeup

Homemade Candy Made Easy

I now have a new favorite sweets recipe. These homemade sea salt caramels are so buttery they melt in your mouth. I was a little nervous at first about making them because I had never made any kind of candy. I was surprised at how easy this was. Be prepared with some patience–when waiting for the caramel to reach the right temperature–and then letting it cool. That said, they are totally worth the wait!

Homemade Sea Salt Caramels plated in bowl

I like to get everything organized first, so all my key ingredients are at hand…

sugar, cream, corn syrup, butter

First, prep your pan (with oil/parchment) and cube your butter (3/4 cup).

Put 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup Karo corn syrup, 2 cups sugar and the butter in a large pot.

mixing corn syrup, heavy cream, butter, sugar

Bring to a boil over high heat and stir to melt the butter. This should take about 10 minutes.

bubbling caramel

Reduce the heat to medium-high, stir often, and boil until temperature on candy thermometer reaches 248 degrees. This will take about 20-30 minutes. Remove pot from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon sea salt.

Immediately pour into your prepared pan (great tip from the winner…don’t scrape the pot..it will prevent a smooth finish to the candy and be problematic in other ways).

Pouring caramel

Wait 5 minutes and then sprinkle the top of the caramel with the remaining 1-2 teaspoons sea salt. It’s important to wait the full 5 minutes, otherwise the sea salt will sink into the caramel.

Let the caramel stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

cutting caramel candies

If you like a softer chew, keep your caramels at room temperature. I like mine a bit chewier, so I individually wrapped them and stored them in the fridge. Next time I will boil the caramel a tish warmer to try a firmer finish…just for fun. These were gone in no time, so I am looking forward to the next round already!

-Crystal