Remember when Hostess announced they were closing? How many of you panicked and bought the remaining Twinkies and Ho Hos? Personally, I grew up on Little Debbie snack cakes and didn’t care too much. Even if I did go and buy a Ho Ho, not only would I feel sick halfway through, I would immediately regret wasting calories on something not spectacular. However, my dad loves Hostess Sno Balls, round cakes with a cream filling and covered with marshmallow frosting and coconut. I decided to do my version with (Big) Rice Crispy Treat Snowballs.
I didn’t think these snowballs would end up as big as they did. Oops. And I’m pretty sure you can get first-degree burns from shaping really hot rice crispy treats. Does anybody else have this problem? You definitely need to coat your hands with some butter so the mixture doesn’t stick (as much). I used a 1/2 cup measuring cup to help shape the treats.
To mimic the cream filling, I shaped cocoa crispy cereal around large marshmallows. Then after they cooled, I dipped the tops in white chocolate and sprinkled coconut on top. Next time I want to try buttercream frosting because white chocolate and I don’t get along sometimes when melting.
When I brought these to my parents, my dad got so excited. He knew they were snowballs but not how he remembered them. I think he enjoyed them just the same.
(Big) Rice Crispy Treat Snowballs
Yield: 9-12
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 cups cocoa rice crispy cereal
- 9-12 large marshmallows*
- 12 ounces white chocolate, chopped into chunks
- 2 cups shredded coconut
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal until everything is well-coated.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Rub a little bit of butter onto your hands to help with the stickiness (optional). Very carefully, shape roughly 1/2 cup of cereal around one large marshmallow. Repeat until all of the cereal is gone. Let cool completely.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the white chocolate on power level 4 for 30 seconds. Keep microwaving in 15 second increments at power level 4 until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Dip the top of each snowball into the chocolate then sprinkle on some coconut (if you're having trouble dipping, spoon the chocolate on top). Let the chocolate harden before eating.
Notes
* You will get 9-12 snowballs, depending on how tightly you pack the balls around the marshmallow.
[email protected] says
Man, Carla, those look delicious! I need to stop reading delicious treat food blogs before breakfast–I end up craving sweets all day. I should stick with the whole-food-veggie blogs until after I’ve brushed my teeth at night.
Thanks!
Renee says
Leave it to you Carla to take rice crispy treats to a whole new and tasty level. Yum!
Liz says
These look great Carla! My kids would love them :)
Susan says
I may not like coconut but I still think these are really pretty!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Carla, your genius never ceases to amaze me. I wish I had this much imagination. These snowballs look freaking incredible and I know they’re 100 times better than the original manufactured version.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Um OMG yum!!! I love how cute they are and they look ahmazinglyyyy delish!
Alex says
Oh, god, I’d even buy a box of them right now – they’re making me salivate so much! :P
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
God love you for posting this! :)
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
If I was still in elementary school where we had bake sale every week, I’d so be making this ASAP!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Oh my goodness! Those are awesome!!! And I love that they are giant sized…is it bad that I wish I had some for breakfast???
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Drooling!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
These are gorgeous! totally pinning, and drooling!!
Leslie Gagne says
I am so sorry to hear about Maurry. He was a very handsome guy. I am sending prayers your way! I know from experience how hard it is to loose a pet. He will always be in your heart. RIP Maurry!
Alka Talwar says
Wow, really, I can’t get over that delicious taste! So simple and yet – sooo great. Thank you for this recipe – it’s a real keeper
Carla says
Glad you enjoyed it!