Divas on a Dime: DIY firecracker treats celebrate Fourth of July with a bang
Summer is in full swing!
Independence Day is right around the corner, and this means it’s our only chance to have a themed party and make fun, festive food for a while. Think about it; August has no major holiday.
Labor Day usually means barbecue but no traditional foods or décor. Aside from the occasional birthday party, the next big holiday is Halloween.
I’m still asking, “What happened to May?” and we’re going to blink and it’ll be pumpkin-flavored everything time. Life goes fast. Let’s make it a point to savor each opportunity to celebrate. It’s time for red, white and food!
POP ROCK-ETS
Crispy rice treats with a surprise filling of pop rocks and candies.
Yield: 9 or 10 rockets
Time: 1 hour
What you’ll Need:
1 batch Crispy Marshmallow Treats -recipe below
3 packets Pop Rocks candy
½ cup small candies
24 oz. white chocolate or vanilla bark coating
Red and blue gel food coloring
Thin licorice strips
Hardware: A can from (6 oz.) tomato paste and a round wooden spoon handle.
Here’s How:
Open both ends of the can of tomato paste and save the paste for another purpose, (it freezes!) Wash it well and spray the inside with cooking spray. Shove a handful of the sticky crispy stuff in the can until almost full. Press the spoon handle into the center to make a pocket in your rocket. (You know I amuse myself when I write this stuff, right?) Press the whole mess through the bottom of the can. Voilà! A tube-shaped treat with a hole in the middle! Repeat with remaining sticky crispies, reserving about ¼ cup to plug the holes later.
Melt chocolate in the microwave at 30-second increments, stirring until smooth. Divide into three bowls. Color one red, one blue and leave one white. You need to use gel coloring or the chocolate will seize and become grainy. (Insert sad face *here*.)
Divide your pop rocks and other treats between the rocket’s pockets. Plug the hole with crispies. Spoon the white chocolate to make a stripe in the center of each rocket, let harden. Dip one end in the blue chocolate and the other in red, let harden. Poke a hole in the top with a skewer and insert licorice piece for a fuse. Isn’t that cute?
CRISPY MARSHMALLOW TREATS
What You’ll Need:
¼ cup butter or margarine
4 cups mini marshmallows
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups crispy rice cereal
Here’s How:
Melt marshmallows and butter in a microwave-safe bowl at 30-second increments. Stir until the marshmallows are combined with the butter. Add vanilla. In a large bowl mix the cereal with the marshmallow mixture until evenly coated. This is sticky business, spray your hands with cooking spray and get in there.
If you’re simply making crispy treats, place into a greased 9x13 pan, cool and cut into bars.
If you can’t find pop rocks, fill the rockets with M&M candies or other seasonal sweeties. They may not be “Pop Rock-ets” but they’ll definitely add sizzle to your celebration. Happy birthday, America!
Festive Food by Patti Diamond from Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Website and blog - www.divasonadime.com Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom
