Valentine's Treats

I love holidays. I'm not a Valentine's Day fan, but let me reiterate...I love holidays. Why? Because it gives me an excuse to buy unhealthy stuff and eat it all! The fun part about Valentine's Day is that you get to give others small tokens of appreciation. There are so many different traditions that we follow on this day...Kids give each other candy and cards at school, co-workers bring doughnuts and cupcakes, parents give their kids sweet cards, significant others spoil each other like kings and queens....the possibilities are endless....and so are the treats. I've put together some quick and delicious treats that you can make this weekend for your kids, your coworkers, your customers, whomever - just in time for Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Muddy Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex (you can use any type of Chex, but these are gluten free)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter (I like to use the honey peanut butter)

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (I use about 2 cups of powdered sugar but you can start small and add)

Extra:

Valentines colored M&M

Peanut Butter chips

Pretzels broken into pieces

Steps:

1. Measure Chex into large container (you can use a gallon Ziploc back or a Tupperware container that seals very well)

2. In 1 quart microwavable bowl, melt chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter uncovered on High for 1 minute; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until everything is melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal. Shake bag or container until Chex are evenly coated. 

3. Add powdered sugar. Shake until well coated. Make sure your Tupperware seals before shaking it - hold on to the edges tightly while shaking. 

Valentine's Rice Krispy Treats

12 ounces - 1 box rice krispies

16 ounce bag of marshmallows

1/2 teaspoon of seasalt

1 Bag Ghirardelli Strawberry Bark Squares 7.9 oz   - Buy Here

Sprinkles (optional)

Steps:

1. Roughly chop 12 of the bark squares.

2. Melt butter in large pot until it starts to slightly turn brown. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add rice krispies and salt and stir until mixed. Add chopped bark squares and mix quickly. Chocolate will start to melt but that's okay! It gives it a swirl look!

3. Place mixture in 9x13 dish. Lightly sprinkle top with more sea salt. Chop 4 more bark squares and evenly space on top by pushing into mixture. Add sprinkles of your choosing! I chose small pearl sprinkles. 

4. Let cool and then cut into squares. Put it in the fridge for a quick cool down!

*Inspired by post on Lauren Conrad