Football Cocoa Crispy Rice Treats

Photo Courtesy of Foodnetwork.com

Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching. Here's an easy dessert recipe for you and your kids to prepare and enjoy .
  

Football Cocoa-Crispy Rice Treats
Recipe Courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

Celebrate game day with this chocolaty update of the classic cereal treats. For big and little kids: Let them help with measuring ingredients, shaping the footballs and rolling out and arranging the laces. Big kids can also help stir the warm ingredients together


Ingredients
Cooking spray
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
One 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Kosher salt
6 cups cocoa-flavored crispy rice cereal
About 12 vanilla- or chocolate-flavored candy chews, such as Tootsie Rolls

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Directions

1. Coat a wooden spoon and 1/3-cup dry measuring cup with cooking spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment, and coat lightly with cooking spray.
2. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the marshmallows, honey, vanilla and a pinch of salt, and stir with the prepared wooden spoon until the marshmallows have completely melted, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cereal and stir until the mixture is fully combined.
3. Use the prepared measuring cup to scoop out the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in mounds. Let them cool for a few seconds to make them easier to work with. Spray your hands with cooking spray, and firmly press and pat each mound into a football shape. Let the treats sit at room temperature to harden slightly, about 20 minutes.
4. Cut the candy chews lengthwise into quarters. Roll the pieces into thin ropes and cut into short and long lengths to make laces. Arrange the candy on top of each football, pressing in to help them adhere. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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