Growing up with a dietitian for a mother meant eating a whole lot of Rice Krispy treats. While many of the other students at my elementary school brought cupcakes or donuts to class on their birthdays, I was often sent with a giant tray of rice krispy treats. I was hardly amused at the time, but now that I'm a 'grown up' myself, I love rice krispy treats! Not only are they delicious, but they are much lower in calories and sugar and you don't feel that sluggishness you usually get from eating all of that white flour. (They're naturally gluten-free!) This recipe is your standard rice krispy treat reimagined as a giant heart-shaped lollipop - perfect for Valentine's Day! You can also use other cookie cutter shapes like stars, lips, X's and O's - I've even seen mustache krispy treats! ----------------------------------------- Rice Krispies Valentine's Day Lollipops 1 10 ounce package Dandies vegan marshmallows (You should be able to find them at your local natural food market. Read about them here: http://www.vingle.net/posts/655485-Vegan-Product-Crush-of-the-Week-Dandies-Vegan-Air-Puffed-Marshmallows ) 4 tablespoons Earth Balance (or other vegan butter) 1 teaspoon red food coloring 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal 8 ounces vanilla flavored candy coating Candy sprinkles for decorating 1. Place Earth Balance and marshmallows in a large bowl bowl and heat on high in a microwave for 2 minutes. Remove, stir and heat for another 2 minutes. Take the bowl out of microwave and stir really well until marshmallows and Earth Balance are combined. Add food coloring and mix well. Add Rice Krispies to the bowl and stir to combine, working fast. 2. Mold mixture into a large square, about 9 X 13 X ½ inch thick, on a sheet of wax paper, let cool slightly and cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter and set aside. 3. Melt candy coating in a small saute pan according to package directions. Spread a thin coat of the candy coating on the top of the heart shapes, place in a wide flat bowl or on a plate and coat generously with candy sprinkles. Insert lollipop sticks in the bottom of each heart or serve on their own as cookies.
