marshmallow dream bars.

the boys and i have a serious addiction to marshmallow dream bars and iced green teas from starbucks. i'm the one to blame, i guess. i started picking up the duo as a treat for myself when i was pregnant with lane. in four years time, i've gone from ordering a small drink and one dream bar for myself to ordering a large drink and two dream bars for the three of us.

not a problem if we only indulge every once in a while. however, we've been indulging a lot lately.

that means i've been dropping some serious cash at starbucks. so, i did a little research and discovered i can make my own dream bars quite easily - and spend less money than i do going through the drive-thru once.

first step: send the kids outside with a bowl of marshmallows. this will keep them happy, entertained and from fighting with each other, and getting under your feet, while you prepare the dream bars.

second step: gather ingredients. you will need the following:

rice krispies or generic brand of rice cereal. i use gluten free rice krispies.

mini marshmallows

butter

vanilla extract

third step: prepare the dream bars.

here's the trick. follow the instructions on the cereal box with two additions.

melt three tablespoons butter in large saucepan.

once butter is melted, add a dash of vanilla extract.

add four cups of mini marshmallows to the butter and stir until melted.

remove from heat and add six cups of cereal.

allow the mixture to cool in the pan for just a minute or two.

this would be a good time to check on the children!

once the mixture has cooled slightly, add half a cup (or more if you like) of mini marshmallows to the mixture. the temperature should be cool enough that the mini marshmallows do not melt entirely.

press mixture into pan coated with cooking spray. I prefer to use a smaller size pan and allow for thicker dream bars. 

once they have cooled a little more, cut into bars, enjoy and watch them disappear.

these few were all that remained the morning after i made them.