Central Oregonian

Happy holiday entertaining

Rice Krispies Tree Trimmer Treats Recipe

December 17, 2012

Host a holiday party that’s simple and festive with a combination of pre-made and homemade delights from the celebration experts at Wilton.

For a fun twist on a traditional gingerbread house, Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton, recommends getting the kids involved. They’ll love the marshmallow-y Holiday House Treat made of cinnamon toasted oats cereal. Once the house is built, watch the kids decorate their yummy creation with a variety of gumdrops, licorice, icings, and candies.

To cater to a more sophisticated palate, Siler suggests Salted Caramel Bacon Cordial Cups. A lavish blend of vanilla pudding, crisp-cooked bacon, and whipped cream is flavored with caramel ice cream topping and piped into edible, dark cocoa Candy Melt cordial cups. They’re bite-sized holiday bliss.

For more holiday recipe project and decorating ideas, or to purchase gingerbread kits, visit www.wilton.com.Holiday House Treat

Ingredients:

6 cups cinnamon-flavored toasted oats cereal

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter

1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows

1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Assorted Tube Icing, Decorating Gel, Sprinkles, Colored Sugars,

Icing Decorations and other favorite candy

Directions:

Prepare Wilton Stand-Up House Pan with vegetable pan spray.

Place cereal in large bowl. In large saucepan, melt butter; add marshmallows, ginger and cinnamon. Cook and stir constantly until melted.

Pour over cereal and mix well. Spread cereal mixture into prepared pan.

When cool to touch, remove from pan; secure to foil-wrapped cake board with icing.

Decorate as desired with icing, sprinkles, sugars, icing decorations and candy. Rice Krispies Tree Trimmer Treats Recipe

Ingredients:

12 (6-inch lengths) red or black string licorice

12 miniature marshmallows

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 package (10 ounces, about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows

6 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal

Frosting

M&M's brand chocolate candies

Directions:

Fold each licorice piece in half and push ends through centers of 12 miniature marshmallows. Set aside. In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add 10 ounces marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add cereal. Stir until well-coated. Using 1/2-cup measuring cup coated with cooking spray, divide warm cereal mixture into 12 portions. Using buttered hands, shape each portion into ornament shape around licorice ends. Cool. Decorate with frosting and candies. Best if served the same day.Salted Caramel Bacon

Cordial Cups

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups Dark Cocoa Candy Melts Candy

3 containers (3.2 ounces each) vanilla prepared pudding

1/2 cup finely chopped crisp-cooked bacon

1 tablespoon caramel ice cream topping plus additional for drizzling

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Sea salt

Directions:

Fill cordial cup candy mold 1/3 full with melted candy.

Using a decorator brush, paint the candy up the sides of each mold to the top edge. Coat mold so that no light can be seen through the shell.

Refrigerate until firm, about 5 minutes. Repeat if needed. Carefully remove shells from mold.

In medium bowl, combine pudding, bacon and 1 tablespoon ice cream topping; mix until thoroughly combined. Fold in whipped cream. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Using tip #33, pipe filling into candy cordial cups. Drizzle with additional ice cream topping and sprinkle with sea salt.