Squares for Summer

I don’t know about you, but my kids do more snacking in the summer then they do during the school year and I need to have things that can be packed up in a pinch for a day at the beach or pool. I prefer not to put on my oven and do much baking in these few warm months, so I try and stick to thinks that can be made on the stove top or microwave.

These may not be the most healthy snacks that you can offer, but they are definitely favorites and still good for a treat. Here are a few of my kids favs:



Peanut Butter Drop Cookies

½ cup Corn syrup
½ cup Brown sugar

½ cup Peanut butter

½ cup Peanuts, chopped
2 ½ cups Cereal (bran buds, corn flakes, rice krispies, etc)

Combine corn syrup and sugar and bring to a boil. Stir in peanut butter and combine till melted. Add peanuts and cereal and mix well. Drop by the teaspoon onto waxed paper.

Let set for 20 – 30 minutes before storing.

Puffed Wheat Squares

½ cup Margarine
½ cup Corn Syrup
1 cup Brown sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
¼ cup Cocoa
6 cups Puffed wheat (aprox – I just pour and stir till well coated)

Melt margarine, corn syrup and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 – 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa and vanilla. Add puffed wheat and stir till well coated. Press into a greased 9 x 13 pan.

Let set for 30 minutes before cutting into squares.

Oatmeal Coconut Drop Cookies

2 cups White sugar
½ cup Margarine
½ cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
½ cup Cocoa

2 cups Oats
2 cups Coconut

Combine sugar, margarine and mild in a large pot, melt and bring to a boil. Boil for 4 – 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa and vanilla. Stir in oats and coconut. Drop by the teaspoon onto waxed paper.

Let set for 20 - 30 minutes before storing.

Rice Krispies Squares

1 bag Mini marshmallow
½ cup Margarine

4 – 6 cups Rice Krispies (I always just eyeball in, I never measure)

Melt marshmallows and margarine in the microwave. Stir in rice krispies slowly, mixing as you go. Press into a 9 x 13 pan that has been lightly sprayed with a vegetable spray. Let set for 30 minutes before cutting.

Tip: I find that the easiest way to press in the gooey mixture is to spray a back of a metal spoon with vegetable spray and press the mixture in with a spoon.

Peanut Rice Krispies Squares

1 bag Mini marshmallows
½ cup Peanut butter

1 cup Peanuts
4 – 6 cups Rice Krispies (Puffed wheat or Cherries also work well)

Melt marshmallows and peanut butter in the microwave. Stir in peanuts and rice krispies slowly, mixing as you go. Press into a 9 x 13 pan that has been lightly sprayed with a vegetable spray.

Melt chocolate chips in microwave and drizzle over the top of the squares. Let set for 30 minutes before cutting.

These work for me!

Enjoy,

Christine