Thank you to everyone who voted on the best recipe for the Rice Krispies Treat After School Conversation Starter Challenge. The landslide winner is….

The Lots of Love Lollipop Treat!

I had a feeling this would be popular, but the voting wasn’t even close. The idea behind this Rice Krispies Lollipop Treat that you can make a regular batch of Rice Krispies Treats and quickly and easily make a special afternoon snack. You can make any shape you want using a cookie cutter, but the heart looks as sweet as it tastes. And, the shape – no matter what you decide to use – can be a great conversation starter with schoolkids of any age. For my little guy I said, “I love you very much. What did you love about school today?”

While you can make one treat from a regular batch of Rice Krispies, this recipe is to make an entire batch of Lollipops.

Rice Krispies Treat Lollipop Recipe

What You Need

• 3 Tablespoons Margarine or Butter (I strongly prefer butter!)
• 1 Package (10 ounce, about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows (Get your kid involved tip: My son helped me count out 40 marshmallows)
• 6 Cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
• 2 Cups Chocolate Chips (I used milk chocolate but semi-sweet is perfect, too.)
• 1 Tablespoon Shortening
• 1 Cup crushed Nuts
• Cookie Cutter
• Lollipop Sticks

Directions

1. Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Mix in Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Spread the mixture using  a buttered spatula or waxed paper evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan coated with cooking spray. (To make them more even and compact, I place waxed paper on top and another pan on top of that to flatten them out.)
4. Let Rice Krispies Treats cool completely. Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out shapes.
5. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening together in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler, place a few inches of water in a saucepan, place a metal bowl into the pot leaving room between the bottom of the bowl and the water. Melt the chocolate and shortening in the bowl.)
6. Dip shapes in melted chocolate. Lay on waxed paper and sprinkle with crushed peanuts. Insert lollipop stick in the bottom of the shape to create a lollipop!
7. Let lollipops cool and then enjoy!

Rice Krispies Treat Lollipop keep well in the refrigerator for a few days. Makes approximately 12 lollipop, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.

This post is part of a compensated program for Rice Krispies facilitated by TheMotherhood.com. (Read the complete rules.)

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I am a SHOUT Ambassador through a compensated Mom Bloggers Club member program.

As you know, I was truly lucky and honored to represent Energzier as a Smart ChargHer at BlogHer. In addition to receiving a very generous sponsorship, of the perks was that I received a Energizer Recharge Smart Charger.  I am kind of ashamed to admit that until receiving it, we relied totally on disposable batteries. And a lot of them. I have to tell you, I feel a lot better about the idea of powering my little ones’ toys, my big one (husband’s) electronic gadget toys and other household necessities with rechargeable batteries. I love that after making the switch we won’t use and toss batteries any more.

Energizer Recharge Smart Charger

But, the Energizer Recharge Smart Charger isn’t your average battery charger. Here are a few of the features that set it apart:

• Countdown timer shows how long until batteries are charged
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• Large visual display can be viewed from across the room
• Charges 2 or 4 AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
• Charges batteries at a safe, steady rate which improves the    long-term health of the NiMH battery
• For approximate charge times, download the user manual.
• Energy Star® certified

Win a Smart Charger & a $15 Target Gift Card!

If you have a blog, can get your very own Energizer Recharge Smart Charger AND a $15 Target Gift Card to stock up on Energizer Rechargeable Batteries (or back to school supplies!) for a $35 total value. Interested? Of course you are!

To win, simply write a blog post about one of the following topics by August 27:

• Why you think an Energizer Smart Charger would make your life easier
• Recapping your encounter with our Smart ChargHers at BlogHer (if you attended)
• Review of any Energizer charger and/or Energizer rechargeable batteries you own

This opportunity is NOT restricted to only BlogHer attendees, so please feel free to “Spread the Swag” and share this giveaway on Facebook and Twitter. If you share on Twitter please use the hashtag #EnergizerSC.

Blog Post Guidelines

1. Blog articles need to be posted by August 27, 2010 (limited to the first 200 bloggers who post their article – the opportunity is still open as of today!)
2. Postings must be at least 200 words and images are encouraged (grab the Image of the Smart Charger to use – I’m also happy to email you more detailed information and images if you let me know you’d like them) and I’d love if link to this post so readers can learn more about the opportunity
3. E-mail the link plus preferred shipping address to wendyb@blickandstaff.com

Disclosure: I was provided a generous sponsorship to BlogHer by Energizer but was not compensated for this post.