A Southern Grace: flaky.

May 5, 2009

flaky.

Yum

Flaky is a word that seems to have mostly negative connotations. For example, a flaky person is someone who's scatterbrained or ditzy, and a flaky scalp implies poor hygiene (which is usually not the case)(not that I have dandruff or anything)(really)(not that there's anything wrong with that)(if it is, in fact, unavoidable).


On the upside, a flaky pie crust is terrific, and I've just discovered that a flaky bar is pretty outstanding too.

Okay, so this is a different kind of flakeage altogether. These bars are made flaky by the use of cereal flakes--Caramel Nut Crunch, in this case. They bear a strong resemblance to your good ol' Rice Krispies (or Cheerios) Treat, but they're much more sophisticated. How so, you ask? Why, there's coconut in them! And sliced almonds! And bits of caramel-coated nuts!


These bars are easy to throw together and really tasty. The original recipe called for corn flakes, but I truly doubt that a version using Caramel Nut Crunch could be improved upon--the cereal adds a sweetness and nuttiness I suspect no other selection would provide.


Those caramel clusters are something else, folks.

Ah...I do love a quick fix. And the next time someone calls me flaky, I'll take it as a compliment.

Flaky Marshmallow Bars
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 10 oz. package marshmallows
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup shredded coconut
4 cups flaky cereal

Grease a 9x9-inch pan or line it with wax paper.
Melt the butter in the microwave; add the marshmallows and heat at 30-second intervals until melted and combined. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon. Dump in the flakes and coconut, and stir to coat evenly. Press into the prepared pan and let set before cutting into bars.

64 comments:

Julia said...

I love RKT's, and I can imagine that this so much better! I have a few friends that them for me regularly, so I'll have to forward the recipe along. Sometimes, they use cocoa crispies, instead... I bet cocoa flakes would be good in this too.

Amy (Julia's friend) said...

Yumm! Great idea!

Leslie said...

mmm.those are fun and yummy bars

Anonymous said...

these look absolutely delicious... I will have to try them!

lisaiscooking said...

I love cereal bars! These sounds like supreme ones.

Christo Gonzales said...

how can this not be good - chewy, flaky, sweet and petite - unless this photo is playing tricks on me.....

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Oooh lovely cross section Grace! I love how we get a peek at the little "bits" inside :)

kat said...

Oh Caramel clusters!

vanillasugarblog said...

did you ever try the version david lebowitz made with these? oh my goodness fabulous.
you were smart to add in coconut

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Yum, a fancified rice crispy treat! Looks delish. I've actually made the frosted flakes version these are a better twist on it, not so sweet I'm sure.

When I'm really lazy I don't even make squares just eat it warm straight out of little bowl with a HUGE glass of cold milk.
~ingrid

gluten free pammy said...

your pictures are great, everything looks yummy

OhioMom said...

The son of the food critic would love these, he often asks why I don't make RK bars (cause momma don't do marshmallows :)

Hornsfan said...

Yummy! I heart rice krispie treats, this looks like a delicious grown up version of them :)

Juliana said...

Such an interesting combination of ingredients...I like your explanation...about flaky :-)
It is great item for snacking...I'll definitely try it! The pictures look so yummie.

La Bella Cooks said...

So yummy!

Marjie said...

Coconut and almonds? Say no more! Cinnamon? The icing on the cake, so to speak! Brilliant!

noble pig said...

I love evil-cooking girls like you! Beautiful rendition here! I love the nuts in there.

Pam said...

Could it get any better? They look so addicting.

Jescel said...

oh my goodness.. this looks dangerous. I probably can eat the whole thing immediately. I bet this is addicting.

Louise said...

Ooooo, adult "kid" food. Gotta love that!

Cate O'Malley said...

Oooh those look fabulous! One of the girls at work has a soft spot for Rice Krispy treats, so these would be perfect.

pigpigscorner said...

They look yummy and the texture sounds amazing!

Melanie said...

You crack me up. Always. I love to check your funny posts. Not to mention that you have such great food to share, too. These very sophisticated flaky bars look wonderful. I love different takes on old classics.

Gloria Baker said...

Is absolutely nice and yummy, xxGloria

The Blonde Duck said...

Oh Grace. We're food soulmates.

Paula said...

Ooooh, I want me some flaky goodness! I bet every single bite was yummilicious. I see that some cinnamon found it's way into the pan. I think I need to make these. Don't you just love the sound of treats like these being cut into servings? *sigh*

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

Oh my I would love your flaky.

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Grace, you are so delightfully flaky!

Anonymous said...

these look really good! i was looking at the second photo and i thought it was fudge! yummm fudge...

pam said...

You're right, they are much more sophisticated.

Unknown said...

these look so good.you are a genuis. and im glad you atleast feel the same way. :)

toontz said...

I really cannot have Rice Krispie treats in the house, for fear of eating the whole pan by myself. In fact, I have been known to cut half the pan into bars, and wrap up the rest and hide it from the kids. Yes, I know, Bad Bad Mommy! I think the same about this recipe...danger ahead!

Chef Fresco said...

Yum! I used to love rice krispie treats - these look so much better!

Shelly said...

What a great idea, Grace! Who says you can only use Rice Krispies? There are too many delicious cereals out there to experiment with.

Claudia said...

Delicious and flaky is quite charming in my book.

Maria said...

Looking good like always!

Heather said...

ohhh my husband would love these!! they look amazing!

Chef E said...

Man this was so poetic, and the photo is great! I wish there was one waiting for me downstairs...so poetic are your decsriptions!

Donna-FFW said...

What a huge improvement. I bet they were delicious. There is not one thing not to like about these bars!

Jacque said...

You've taken rice crispy treats to a whole new level! The original is wonderful, so I can only imagine how this tastes.

Nice work!

Half Baked said...

being flaky is fine with me;)LOL Great looking spin on rice krispie treats!

Sandy said...

looks gooey like my cinnamon bites.

yummy grace!

Culinary Wannabe said...

Kickin' it old school - I love it! I have a small obsession with Honey Bunches of Oats, and I'm feeling very compelled to skip my morning routine and make these for breakfast!

Albany Jane said...

Oooh, when I think flaky, the first thing I think of are buttery, luscious foods.

Scaly? Not so much, but thankfully I haven't really heard of many foods described as scaly.

Lyndas recipe box said...

The pictures have won me over. Who can resist almonds and coconut? YUM!

unconfidential cook said...

And so one good idea begets a better idea.... Yummo!

Peter M said...

Flaky pastry - a good thing, flaky friends - not so good.

Anonymous said...

oh would I love a few of those right now...

Lori said...

Drool, drool, drool. That is my kind of delcious bite. You are so right, I dont thing caramel nut crunch could really be improved upon. Its a beautiful thing Grace.

Bunny said...

I like that second picture Grace it looks so creamy and good!

Anonymous said...

Your photos are always wonderful my friend :) xox

Laura said...

Awesome! I've always thought about fiddling with different cereals this way--good to know that it's a worthy endeavor.

I thought of you last night, btw, bawling through the season finale of FNL. I'd like to take a club to that stupid Mr. McCoy....

Mc Allen said...

ohhh yummy, mama like!!! I might just have to try this ;) LA

Emily said...

Yummy, Grace! These look so good! Great idea.

Shari said...

I can think of some little people who would just love this variation (not to mention myself!) Sounds delicious!

eatme_delicious said...

Mmm caramel coconut rice crispy like deliciousness.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

What a great update for a classic. I can't resist the marshmallowy goodness!

The Duo Dishes said...

NICE variation on the original. Super glad to have found this site today. And this post. Those bars look amazing.

KJ said...

OMG caramel nut crunch versus cornflakes. Don't let the door hit you on the way out cornflakes!! That's like The Rock going up against Kermit the Frog.

Chef E said...

Gosh darn... I had to come back for another look... man that looks freaking awesome...lurking chef wants a piece!

Deborah said...

I'm beginning to realize that so many wonderful things can be made from a box of cereal!

Stacey said...

Oh my goodness this looks way too delicious. I have to borrow this recipe and make this weekend!

Jaime said...

mmm they're grown up RK treats :)

Max mickle said...

This Flaky marshmallow bars looks so beautiful with the colors, I'm sure it'll be a big hit with the kids! Nice colors! Although I'm to a big fan of Flaky, this sure looks yummy! I'm normally the one that will say no to flaky bars.