Red Hots Rice Krispy Treats

I think I'm losing my marbles lately. I don't know if it's old age or what..

For example yesterday morning I was changing my daughter's diaper, and inside her sleeper I find her little hair comb. Somehow I managed to zip her up the night before with that inside (that must have been a comfortable night) What the? How did I not notice that?

Or this morning I went out to mail a letter (we have a joint mailbox down the street) and when I got there I realized I forgot the key and the letter. I walked all the way back home, grabbed the letter and forgot the key again. Third times a charm right? (I'm pretty sure my neighbors started questioning my sanity when they saw me traipsing up the street a 3rd time in 5 minutes)

Then we have this chandelier light fixture over our dining room table. (Although I use the word "dining room" hesitantly since our dining room, kitchen, and living room are all combine in one gigantic space of about 600 sq ft... but for clarification we'll call it a "dining room") Anyways, I knew 1 of the lights went out a few weeks ago so I picked up a bulb while I was at the store. I got home and realized that 3 of the 6 are actually out... when did that happen? No wonder I feel like I'm living in a bat cave.

Ah... don't know what to do. I think I'm lacking mental stimulation. Too many Dr Seuss books or something.

Luckily, the extra trip I made to buy more lightlbulbs meant I had a second chance to pick up some Red Hots (something I was meaning to do but again, forgot) Am I the only one who thinks Red Hots are a traditional Valentines Day candy? It seemed like we always had them at our house growing up. 

These are quite delicious if I say so myself. By pulverizing the candies into a powder, then melting them in with the marshmallows, you get an addictingly good sweet/spicy taste. Then the white chocolate drizzle cuts through it all and almost cools things off or something. I don't know how else to describe it. Who would have thought white chocolate and red hots would go so well together? Delectably so. Now, go make these today and if you don't mind please pray that I don't zip anything else up in my daughter's sleeper tonight...

Red Hots Rice Krispy Treats

4 Tbsp butter
6 cups marshmallows 
1/2-3/4 cup crushed red hots candies (really smash them down to a powder)
1 tsp vanilla extract

6 cups rice krispies
red food coloring (optional, but one can never have enough red food dye in one's life, right?)
4 oz (2 squares) Vanilla Almond Bark


Pour the rice krispies in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Once it's melted add in the marshmallows. Stir until they are mostly all melted (this will take a few minutes--low and slow is key for perfect texture) then stir in the vanilla, crushed red hots, and a few drops of red food coloring.

Once fully melted, take them off heat and pour over the rice krispy mixture. Stir lightly to combine, then dump into a greased 9x9 pan. Allow to cool 5 minutes, then press into pan with greased hands. While they finish cooling, melt the almond bark in the microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring in between each one until fully melted. Drizzle the bark over the treats. Enjoy!