Rice Krispie Treats

What You Do:

1. Before you start baking, help your child cut the paper into a bunch of 8 ½" x 1" strips. Have her write a friendly message on each strip. For beginning writers, this can be as simple as a string of hearts or stars. A more advanced writer can add a few words, a little message or simply sign her name. Once all the strips are ready, it's time to cook!
2. Melt the butter or margarine in a large saucepan.
3. Stir in the cocoa powder and vanilla.
4. Add the marshmallows and stir the mixture constantly over low heat until it's syrupy.
5. Remove the saucepan from the stove. Add the cereal and stir until it's well coated. Let the mixture cool a bit.
6. In the meantime, spray the inside of a funnel with cooking spray.
7. Press the mixture into the funnel. Gently remove the cereal “kiss” and place it flat side down on a piece of foil. Pull the corners of the foil up and around the kiss.
8. Insert a paper strip so half the strip sticks out the top of the kiss. Twist the foil ends at the top. It should look like a giant chocolate kiss!
9. Repeat until all the mixture is used up. This recipe makes 6-8 large kisses.