It's easy to make a batch of these gooey marshmallow Cocoa Pebbles Treats on the stovetop or in the microwave using the chocolate-flavored crisp rice cereal.
1 9x13-inch rectangle baking pan (for a large batch)
Ingredients
Small Batch (8-inch pan)
5cupsCocoa Pebbles Cereal
4tablespoonssalted butter
10ouncesmarshmallows
Large Batch (9x13-inch pan)
7 ¾cupsCocoa Pebbles Cereal
6tablespoonssalted butter
16ouncesmarshmallows
Instructions
Grease a large mixing bowl and an 8-inch square pan (for a small batch) or a 9x13-inch rectangle pan (for a large batch) with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Pour the cereal into the greased bowl and set aside.
Begin melting the butter in a medium-large sauce-pan set over low heat.
Stir in the marshmallows.
Allow to melt, stirring occasionally, until about 75% of the marshmallows have melted.
Remove the pan from the heat and continue to stir, smashing the marshmallows with your rubber spatula or spoon, until melted and smooth.
Pour the melted marshmallows over the cereal and stir until well combined.
Gently spread into a well-buttered pan.
Allow the cereal treats to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles.
Notes
Microwave Method:
If you prefer to use the microwave, heat the butter and marshmallows on high power for 1 minute.
Remove and stir vigorously, smashing the marshmallows, until melted.
If needed, heat for additional 15-second bursts of high power until melted.
Then, follow the process above.
Storage
Store your Cocoa Pebbles Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Do NOT refrigerate.
You can freeze your treats. Wrap them well and freeze for up to 3 months.
More CHOCOLATE flavor!
Add ½ cup of chocolate chips with the marshmallows. It will melt into a decadently rich chocolate marshmallow goo which you can mix with your cereal. YUM!
If you rush the process of melting the marshmallows by cranking up your heat, you will overheat the sugar in the marshmallows, turning that sugar into hard candy, and your treats will be hard.
Heat the marshmallows and butter on low heat! It takes some time for them to melt, but your patience will be rewarded as you will have ooey, gooey, chewy treats.
DO NOT use the number of cups listed on the side of the box as a guide.
An 11-ounce box says it contains about 9 cups of cereal. I measured just under 7 cups! If you make a large batch of these treats, be sure to get a family-size box.
Do not smash the cereal into the pan.
Gently spread it into the pan. This will make light, easy-to-bite-into treats.
Use FRESH marshmallows.
The fresher your marshmallows, the softer your Fruity Pebbles treats will be.
Grease everything!
Grease your saucepans, bowls, spatulas, and even your hands with either butter (my preference) or non-stick cooking spray to keep the marshmallows from sticking.