Happy (almost) Easter everyone! I hope that whatever you’ll be doing this year makes you happy and takes your mind away from what is happening in the world. Hopefully we can all spend some time with family and loved ones.
Now I don’t know about you guys, but after Easter I always have tons of chocolate leftover. And I know having lots of chocolate in the house it’s not the worse thing that could happen (especially right now), but after a couple of days it’s just boring to eat it on its own. So I’ve decided to share with you an extremely easy recipe that is perfect for kids. All you need is any kind of chocolate you have on hand and puffed rice (read below for substitutions).
UM, WHAT IS EXACTLY PUFFED RICE?
Before I introduce you to the recipe, let me give you a bit of backstory. These kind of treats are quite popular here in Italy and you can also buy them in stores. I think they come from Asia, but I could be wrong. These are basically our version of Rice Krispies treats, the only difference is they’re made only with chocolate.
Puffed rice is basically rice popcorn (or should I say pop-rice?). I’ve done my research and found out that puffed rice isn’t that common in the UK or US and it’s mostly found in Asian dishes. If you’re not familiar with it, think of a rice cake. It’s basically the same, just in loose grains.
In Asia it’s used to make rice cakes, as a crunchy topping or in sweet treats. The kind we have in Italy is softer, like rice cakes, but I saw many people using a crunchier version on noodles or salads.
SO WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND PUFFED RICE (or don’t want to use it)?
Don’t worry, you can make these treats with virtually any cereal you want. You can use Rice Krispies, corn flakes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch (without the shrimps lol), Reese’s Puffs, Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, Oreo O’s… I mean, literally anything. The measurements could change, but because it’s such a simple recipe, there’s no right or wrong. Just keep adding cereals until the chocolate-to-cereal ratio looks good to you.
You can also use any kind of chocolate you want and add any topping or additional ingredient that you like. I added some Easter egg chocolate candies. I can’t find Cadbury Mini Eggs here in Italy but if you can, or have something similar, those are perfect!
HERE ARE SOME CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS:
- Milk chocolate + Reese’s Puffs + mini peanut butter cups
- White chocolate + Froot Loops + freeze-dried fruit
- White chocolate + Oreo O’s + crushed Oreos
- Dark chocolate + corn flakes + crushed nuts and desiccated coconut
- Milk chocolate + S’mores cereals + mini marshmallows and chocolate chips
- and many more! The possibilities are endless.
Let me know if you make them, maybe with your kids, and if you like them! Make sure to tag me Instagram if you do so!
Easter Chocolate Puffed Rice Treats
These cripsy chocolate treats are perfect for Easter! They're quick and easy and your children will love them.
Ingredients
- 400g/14oz of milk chocolate, or any other kind
- 100g/4 cups of puffed rice, Rice Krispies or any other cereal
- 180g/1 cup Easter egg candy (optional)
Instructions
- Melt chocolate in a mixing bowl over a double boiler. Then remove from heat and add the puffed rice (or cereals) and the Easter egg candy or any other additional ingredient you chose. Mix to combine. I decorated the top with some more egg candy, but you can use anything you want or omit completely.
- Line a 9x9-inch/24x24cm baking pan with parchment paper and pour the mixture in. Spread evenly and press down with a spatula. You can also use a bigger pan, the treats will just be thinner.
- Fridge for 2 hours or until completely hardened.
- Cut into squares or bars with a very sharp knife. You can cut them as big or small as you want. I cut them into approx 5cm/2inch squares and I got about 15 total.
- Enjoy!
