Last week I mentioned that we’d delve into a couple of well-known holiday marshmallow traditions.  Rice Crispy Treats are definitely up there on the list of the go-to recipes for cookie exchanges, school holiday parties, and as a treat for Santa after he’s made it down a few chimneys.  But I’d bet that if Santa knew those treats contained a chemical banned in eleven countries and an additive suspected to cause abnormalities in the brain, hyperactivity in children and cancer, he’d probably pass.  Just a hunch.

So let’s take a look at one of our culture’s most popular treats.  Is there a way to make them without the potential health risks?  Of course.  This weeks comparison is between Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats and Out of the Box Rice Crispy Squares.  Please pay special attention to the ingredients BHT and Artifical Color Blue 1.  By changing the marshmallows and the Rice Cereal in the recipe, you can avoid feeding your kids (and Santa) any potentially harmful chemicals.

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THE COMPARISON: Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats vs. Out of the Box Rice Crispy Squares

(All ingredients followed by an * can be referenced at www.wikipedia.org by clicking on the ingredient)

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Kellogg’s Rice Krispies

Ingredients:

• rice
• sugar
• salt
• malt flavoring
• iron
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• alpha tocopherol acetate* (vitamin E)
• niacinamide*
• vitamin A palmitate
• pyridoxine hydrochloride* (vitamin B6)
• riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• thiamin hydrochloride* (vitamin B1)
• folic acid
• vitamin B12
• vitamin D
• To maintain quality, BHT* is added to packaging

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Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows

Ingredients:

• corn syrup*
• sugar
• dextrose*
• modified corn starch*
• water
• gelatin
• tetrasodium pyrophosphate (whipping aid)
• artificial flavor*
• artificial color (Blue 1)*

**All listed product ingredients are taken from product’s package label.  Though Out of the Box Food makes every effort to provide complete ingredient information, please check the package for the most current information.

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Out of the Box Rice Crispy Squares

Special Equipment: large saucepan, 9″x13″ rectangular baking dish

Ingredients:

• 40 1″ maple marshmallow squares (See recipe for Out of the Box Food Maple Marshmallows)
• 3 tbsp butter (plus more for greasing)
• 6 C Natural Crispy Rice Cereal (NOT Kellogg’s Rice Krispies.  Please check product label for ingredients)

Directions:

• Butter a 9″ x 13″ rectangular baking dish.
• Melt butter in large saucepan.
• Add marshmallows to butter and stir until completely melted.
• Add crispy rice cereal and stir to combine.
• Spread mixture into prepared dish.
• When cool to the touch, wet hands and press crispy mixture down in pan. (the water on your hands will prevent sticking)
• Cut into squares and serve.

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Next week we’ll post our final installment of “The Holidays and Marshmallows” which will feature a deconstructed look at a favorite warm and cozy beverage.  Until next week…