Loaves n Dishes: JALAPENO LIME RICE KRISPIE TREATS plus HOW TO CANDY JALAPENOS

Often the inside of my head is whacky and weird, and ya don’t wanna be in there; but sometimes the whacky and weird is wonderful!

Like when the idea for Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats was traipsing through my brain like; “la la, la la la la”… wait I that’s the theme song from the Smurfs.

Great now it’ll take forever to get that out of my head.

See told ya; it’s weird in there.

Any hoo…

Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats are my new favorite rice krispie treats; even over Peanut Butter & Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, that’s saying a lot cuz I looove peanut butter and chocolate.

While it takes a little planning to make Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats, there not difficult to make at all; it’s just that the Candied Jalapenos need to sit overnight before they’re ready to use.

You might even want to make extra Candied Jalapenos just to put out and snack on, they’re strangely addictive!

Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats are a little sweet, a little spicy, and a little citrusy, making them the perfect ending to most Super Bowl meals; though I love spicy food and I will eat these anytime, anywhere!

Here’s what you do.

Start by making the Candied Jalapenos, because they need to set up overnight.

Add 3 sliced jalapenos, a cup of sugar and a cup of water to a medium sized sauce pan.

If you'd like to make Candied Jalapenos less spicy hot, slice them lengthwise, remove and discard the seeds and the veins and cut the jalapenos into thin strips.

Bring to a rapid boil over medium-high heat, and then turn the heat down to medium, so that the syrup is at a high simmer; for 20 minutes.

See how they've changed from opaque to almost translucent, kind of like stained glass?

Strain the syrup from the jalapenos. You'll no longer need the liquid for this recipe, but don't throw it out, use it on chocolate cake, corn or polenta cake, or to make drinks with a kick!

Coat the jalapenos well with some granulated sugar.

Lay them out on a sheet pan that's been lined with parchment paper.

Now, the candied jalapenos need to sit, uncovered over night for the sugar to harden and the jalapenos to dry out just a little before storing them in an air tight container.

Aside from making Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats; Candied Jalapenos make great snacks, are yummy stirring into cookies, or to garnish cakes and tarts.

Now for the treats!

Grease a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan with some softened butter.

Zest a lime and finely dice some Candied Jalapenos; how much jalapeno depends on you.

I quite like spice, so I used 1 1/2 tablespoons of dice Candied Jalapenos which is spicy, but not blow your mind spicy.

Melt some butter in the top of a double boiler that has been placed over simmering water.

Add the juice of half of a lime.

Then stir in a bag of mini marshmallows, lime zest and some salt.

In a large bowl stir together rice krispies and the marshmallow mixture.

Once the marshmallow mixture is incorporated stir in the diced Candied Jalapenos, be sure that the jalapenos are evenly distributed through the mixture.

Pour into the greased pan, and firmly press the mixture down, using your fingers that have been coated with butter or cooking spray.

Allow this to set up for about 30 minutes before slicing.

If you really like heat, then garnish the top of Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats.

JALAPENO LIME RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Candied Jalapenos need to dry overnight, so you’ll need to take that into account when making these.

Makes a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan

¼ cup Butter

Juice of half of a lime

1-10 oz. bag Mini marshmallows

1 tsp. Grated lime zest (from 1 lime)

¼ tsp. Salt

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1 to 2 ½ Tbsp. Finely diced candied jalapenos, depending upon how spicy you like it. (The recipe follows)

20 Candied jalapeno pieces (rings or strips) (optional)

1. Grease a 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan with softened butter.

2. Melt the butter in the top of a double boiler which has been placed over simmering water. To the melted butter add the lime juice and stir. Add the mini marshmallows, grated lime zest and salt and stir occasionally until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture is smooth.

3. Add the rice krispies to a large bowl; pour the marshmallow mixture over them and stir; once that’s mixed in add the finely diced jalapeno, stir until the jalapenos are evenly distributed through the mixture.

4. Pour the mixture into the greased pan and press down firmly with your hands (it helps to have some butter or cooking spray on the fingers to keep them from sticking).

5. If desired, place Candied Jalapeno pieces over the top as garnish. Allow Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats to set for at least 30 minutes before cutting.

Note; if spice isn’t your thing, omit the jalapenos and you’ll have Lime Rice Krispy Treats.

CANDIED JALAPENOS

3 Jalapenos, thinly sliced into rings (or see note)

1 cup + 2 Tbsp. Granulated sugar, divided use

1 cup Water

1. Add the jalapenos, 1 cup of the sugar and the water to a medium sized pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and then turn the heat down to medium to a high simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Strain the jalapenos from the syrup (keep the syrup to add to use on a chocolate cake, corn cake, or to make spicy drinks).

3. Lay the jalapenos in a shallow dish, and coat them liberally with the remaining 2 Tbsp. of sugar. Transfer the jalapenos to a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper, reshape them if needed. Allow the Candied Jalapenos to sit uncovered, over night. When the sugar has hardened and the jalapenos have dried out just a little, store them in an air tight container.

Eat Candied Jalapenos as a snack; use them in Jalapeno Lime Rice Krispie Treats, in cookies, or to garnish cakes and tarts.

Note; to make Candied Jalapenos less spicy hot, cut the jalapenos lengthwise, remove the seeds and veins, and cut into thin strips.