With Valentines Day just around the corner the stores are piling up with chocolates, sweets and everything heart-shaped. Help your kids get in the spirit while creating a yummy treat. Rice crispie treats, Valentines Day style.

There are a million variations of this classic recipe, but this one has a little something special just for Valentines Day: conversation hearts placed atop of chocolate-filled treats. Little hands love to count marshmallows as they are added to the bowl. Older kids will get a kick out of stirring and mixing. Kids of all ages will love pressing the mixture into the pan (great way to keep idle hands busy). It’s the perfect edible craft to help celebrate the holiday with your kids.

Supplies

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 10 oz. package (about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 cups rice crispies
• 1-2 cups chocolate chips
• conversation hearts

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl heat the butter and marshmallows on high for 2 minutes. Stir with a spatula* and heat for 1 more minute. Add vanilla and stir until mixture is smooth. Add rice crispies and chocolate chips, stir until well coated.

Spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick spray. Press the mixture into the pan with a spatula, wax paper or just your hands. Add conversation hearts to the top, as many or as few as you like. Cool and cut into squares or even better, hearts.

*Hint: spray the spatula with non-stick spray before stirring. This will help prevent the marshmallow mixture from sticking.