12 Days of Prunemas: Chestnut Prune Rice Krispie Treats
Day 6 of Prunes Christmas - a real gluten free fluffernutter jammy TREAT!
This is a post for all subscribers sponsored by CAPrunes. It is the sixth of 12 posts over 12 days, celebrating ways to enjoy delicious prunes.
The sixth day of Christmastide celebrated another Saints Feast, that of Egwin (Amazing that name ever went out of fashion!), who was known for protecting widows and children. It is a day for a feast, since it is the half way point of Christmastide celebrations. The feast usually centered on a goose and lots of eggs - including deviled eggs. (Six geese a laying! Get it?) I’ll use any excuse to make a deviled egg! I love them all, and currently obsessed with the ones in my fiends book Second Generation. It features lots of recipes from the beloved Brooklyn diner, Agi’s Counter. I make it a point to get there every time I am in NYC. GET THIS BOOK. I’m just a huge fan of Jeremy and his cooking.
But today we are back to sweets because we are leading up to New Years! And Maybe you are having a party? Going to a party? Staying in for a Party of One? We obviously need a treat! And for today’s celebrations we are making a Rice Krispie Treat featuring Chestnuts and PRUNES! Am I going to make you make your own? Not this time. Because I promised you easy lifts this week, and then I (already) made you make cinnamon rolls! You can use your favorite store bought marshmallow here. Also please use store bought Rice Krispies, I am not going to Nara Smith you into popping your own rice - it won’t be the same ever. You should however ABSOLUTELY get an off brand of Rice Krispies, because Kelloggs Rice Krispies are NOT gluten free.
Chestnut Prune Rice Krispie Treats. Chestnuts are a lot of work to really enjoy - live fire, cracking, patience - but oh so delicious when done right. But Chestnut puree is deeeeelicious and can be bought! Marshmallows equally have a science (and strong personal preference) to roasting them, and I think you can tell a lot about a person how they handle themselves with a stick and a campfire. And they are made for each other, playing up the sweet creaminess of the other. If you have never had a chestnut, this is a gateway to fall in love.
If you didn’t check out that last podcast about the efforts to recover the American Chestnut Tree, do! Interested in more Chestnut lore? This one is pretty great also about the notorious ‘Banquet of Chestnuts’ thrown by the Borgias in 1501. Spoiler Alert: Lucrezia Borgia is my ancestor. If you get your hands on some chestnuts this season and decide to roast, listen to the experts:
We’re going to take a special extra step in making these treats to add in that roasted over fire element that is crucial to chestnuts and marshmallows. You’ll need a blow torch to really live here, - please don’t waste your time with the small (and expensive) ones at kitchen stores instead head to the hardware store for their blowtorch like the badass you are. Added to the treats with chopped jammy prunes floating throughout gives the whole thing a fluffernutter with jam vibe that will send you right back to being a kid.
Chestnut Prune Rice Krispie Treats
Yields 12 Treats
340g marshmallows, large
180g chestnut puree
60g butter
6 cups Rice Krispies
250g prunes, minced to oblivion
salt
more chestnut puree for topping
Method:
Prepare a lasagna pan or sheet tray with pan extender with a light coating of baking spray.
In a large saucepan combine your marshmallows, chestnut puree and butter. Melt mixture over medium low heat stirring occasionally. Once melted remove from heat. Grab a blow torch and torch your mixture across the top to a golden color (don’t burn!). Add your Rice Krispies. (If you pot is too small, instead pour marshmallow mixture over krispies in a bowl.) Stir to coat kripies completely in mixture. Break up and stir in minced prunes. Dump into your prepared pan and use a piece of parchment paper to compact and press flat. Allow to cool completely.
Cut into 12 squares. Put chestnut puree in a piping bag and cut off the tip, pipe any design you like across top. The puree will dry out almost to an icing over the course of a couple hours, so they are easily transported and gifted. Krispies keep at room temperature for 1 week in an airtight container.
Happy sixth day of Christmas! Happy sixth day of Hanukkah!
xoxo
P.s. Baby Bear has been loving these stories for bedtime.
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Thank you! These look good! I love the idea of a sweet made with chestnuts and prunes but I don't have Ric Krispies or other packaged cereals in my pantry, or marshmallows either. Trying to think how to use this combination to make another sweet, maybe with ground nuts and/or almond butter and a little honey to sweeten.