It’s almost time for the 4th of July.  Time for picnics, cookouts, parades, and fireworks.  Why not make some cute treats with the kids to celebrate.  There is lots of fun packed into these Firecracker Rice Krispie Treats.  They are full of strawberry marshmallows, sprinkles, colored frosting, blue and red Twizzlers, and Pop Rocks.  Kids will enjoy decorating and eating these.

I used strawberry flavored marshmallows for these treats because that’s what I had on hand and I like the pick color it gives the Rice Krispies.  For the sprinkles, I didn’t add them directly into the hot marshmallows because I didn’t want them to melt into one color.  They did melt a little, but you can still distinguish the reds and blues.

For the frosting I used Wilton’s Buttercream in a stiff consistency.  I used Wilton’s clear vanilla to keep the color bright white.  Feel free to save yourself some time and buy a can of ready made white frosting if you like.

I found red, white and blue Twizzlers Pull n’ Peel.  I separated out the colors and only used blue and red.  I used Cake Mate decorating icing in shimmering red and blue (don’t forget to buy the screw on tips).  You can also use gel icing or cookie icing.  I only ended up using the red Pop Rocks because the blue ones were more of a light green.  Once the frosting was set and the treats were cut into rectangles, I pressed the piece of Twizzlers into the icing and covered it back up with my fingers.  The frosting is pretty malleable at this point.

Then decorate however you like and sprinkle with Pop Rocks at the end.  You can add more sprinkles too.  If you are making these ahead of time don’t add the Pop Rocks until you are ready to serve because they do react with the frosting and end up melting.  You want to make sure they keep their POP. You can add as little or as much as you want.

You don’t have to add the lollipop sticks, but if you do, you want to do it before you start decorating.  And you are going to want to dip the tip of the stick into some melted candy coating before inserting it into the Rice Krispie treat.  This will help make it more secure.  You can use paper straws the same way.  Come on, it’s time to get creative!

Firecracker Rice Krispie Treats

by The Sweet Chick

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Keywords: no bake snack dessert rice krispies marshmallows frosting Twizzlers July 4th rice krispie treats American summer

Ingredients (27 treats)

For the treats

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 bag (8 oz.) Jet-Puffed Strawberry Mallows
• 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 1/4 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles

For the frosting

• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk or water
• 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 1 tablespoon meringue powder.

For the toppings

• 1 package (12 oz.) Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel candy in red, white, and blue
• 1 package (6 oz.) Cake Mate Glitter Icing in Shimmering Red
• 1 package (6 oz.) Cake Mate Bakery Icing in blue
• 1 package Cake Mate decorating tips
• 2-3 packages (0.24 oz. each) Pop Rocks in red
• 1/4 cup red. white, and blue sprinkles

Instructions

For the treats

In a large sauce pan, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat. Stir until completely melted.

Remove from heat , add the Rice Krispies and the sprinkles. Mix until all is well incorporated.

Then pour the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan or a cookie sheet and spread it evenly with a piece of waxed paper.

Place in fridge to cool and set.

For the frosting

In a stand mixer, cream together the vegetable shortening, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk/water.

Add the sugar and meringue powder and mix on low until the frosting comes together. If the frosting is too dry, add another tablespoon of milk/water. You want the consistency to be smooth and spreadable, but not too thin.

With a spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the cooled treats and place back in the fridge to set.

Once the frosting is set, cut into 27 rectangles with a sharp knife and remove from the pan/cookie sheet.

For the toppings

Take one rope of Twizzlers and cut it evenly in three parts, then take all the strands apart. Separate out the different colors.

Take a cut strand and push about a one inch length into the frosting at the top of the rectangular treat and with your fingers, gently push the frosting back over the strand to cover it. Repeat for all treats.

Then, using the different colored icing, decorate your treats as you wish with the different decorating tips.

Add sprinkles if you wish, then add the bits of red Pop Rocks.

Voila! Done.

Notes

If you wish to put these on lollipop sticks, do so before you decorate and dip the tips of the sticks in melted candy coating before inserting them in the treats. This will keep them secure.

These do not have to be kept refrigerated, but do keep them in an airtight container.

If you are making these ahead of time, don’t add the Pop Rocks until you are ready to serve.

Frosting Recipe from Wilton’s Class Buttercream Icing.

This recipe may be shared at these fabulous parties.