Cereal Heart Pops for Valentine's Day

Continuing the discussion of home-made Valentine's treats, today I helped my daughter Katie prepare goodies for Henry's school party tomorrow.  She told Henry's teacher she'd bring in treats to share with the class, and because there are nut allergies, she was eager to find something that all the children in the class can enjoy.  She decided to make cereal heart pops using the traditional recipe for Rice Krispie Treats, but substituted Fruity Pebbles just to make it a little more colorful. She purchased lollipop sticks at the local crafts store, as well as treat bags to cover the pops, and heart stickers as a final touch.

I think the pops came out great.  They're really cute, and a very affordable way to make a fun contribution to a Valentine's Day party.



CEREAL HEART POPS

Butter or spray 9x13 pan (Katie used a 10x14 pan, and it was fine)
Heart-shaped cookie cutter, 2" or so
lollipop sticks, found in candy/craft stores

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
10 oz. bag marshmallows (or 7 oz. container Marshmallow Fluff)
6 cups Rice Krispies (or similar cereal)

2 ounces good chocolate, melted to use later to keep sticks in place

In large pot, melt butter.  Add marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted.  Turn off heat.  Add cereal and thoroughly combine with marshmallow mixture.

Dump all of cereal/marshmallow mixture into pan.  With buttered spatula, press down evenly and compactly so that you have an even, level surface.

Let sit for a few minutes.  Turn out onto wax paper (or parchment paper) or cutting board.  Dip bottom of cookie cutter in melted butter and cut out as many hearts as you can.  Move to another sheet of waxed paper.  With lollipop stick, create hole for stick.  Dip end of stick in melted chocolate and insert in hole in bottom of heart.  Let sit until chocolate sets up and stick is firmly in place.

Fruity Pebbles Pops for Valentine's Day