Sophisticated Trailer Park Treats

Bless my flatmate and the fact that she doesn’t cook. Over the past two years I’ve managed to take over our small kitchen without a peep of a complaint from her. As a result you can now find my cooking gear stuffed into every nook and cranny of my kitchen.

Due to the small size I’ve had to improvise. Non-perishable foods often sit in the space behind my living room couch waiting to be rotated into the game. A sneak peak in my wardrobe might also discover cake pans lined up like toy soldiers next to handbags.


This week I must have been reaching maximum saturation because when I opened my 1 cupboard (yes, only 1) I nearly got a shiner from a jar of peanut butter ricocheting onto me. It's not surprising really, it's like Kirstie Alley (post Jenny Craig) and a wet suit, at somepoint - somethings going to give.

The peanut butter incident was the catalyst for me to clear out some of the items in my cupboard that have been just taking up space and not getting any love for quite a few months now.

First and foremost to the chopping block was a large bag of jumbo marshmallows I’d smuggled into the UK in preparation for Thanksgiving - thinking (incorrectly) that I might make those sickly sweet yams covered in marshmallows. Having opted for a more savoury approach I still had the bag sitting unopened. Now I know that marshmallows have a shelf span of about 145 years, but still - I was imagining a much more sensible item I might be able to replace it with.

Somewhat limited for time and options, I decided on quintessential Americana – Rice Crispy Treats. This 1980's 'snap, crackle, pop' snack was to be found at every school bake sale and birthday party. They were eaten after games of ‘capture the flag,’ at cast parties, and after too many hours outside on the ‘slip 'n slide’. They require no effort, no skill in the kitchen, and cost basically nothing to make.


If I was going to make something so simple and W.T. then I knew I was going to have to gussy it up a bit, kinda like finding a Mercedes at the Trailer Park.

Pretty tasty in the end, I added dried sour cherries and toasted coconut to the rice crispy treats and then drizzeled the whole lot with artisinal dark chocolate.

Rice Crispy Treats with Cherries, Coconut, & Chocolate

50 grams (1/2 stick) butter
1 large package marshmallows
7 cups of rice crispies
1/2 cup dried sour cherries (optional)
1/2 cup dried sweetened coconut - toasted (optional)
3 oz dark chocolate (melted for drizzling)


1. Melt butter in large microwave safe bowl

2. Add marshmallows and coat with butter, place back in microwave for another 90 seconds - stir until melted and mixed completely

3. Add rice crispies, cherries, dried coconut

4. Place in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan and press down


5. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate