Hello, my foodie friends! Nasrin Azar here, and today I’m going to share with you a recipe that’s sure to put a smile on your face. These 4-Ingredient Ube Rice Krispies Treats with Trader Joe’s Ube Spread are the perfect blend of crispy, chewy, and nutty flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy! They’re easy to make, require only four ingredients, and are perfect for anyone who wants to try something new. Trust me—once you try these treats, you’ll want to make them over and over again.
Nasrin Azar is a freelance writer and food blogger who is passionate about exploring the world’s cuisines. Originally from Iran, she has traveled extensively and lived in several different countries over the years. When she’s not in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, you can find her hiking in the mountains or curled up with a good book.
Nasrin Azar currently resides in Canada and grew up in Iran.
As you might have guessed from my name, I wasn’t born and raised in North America. I grew up in Iran, a country with a rich culinary history that spans centuries. Iranian cuisine — like many in the Middle East — features dishes that are hearty, flavorful, and above all, comforting. As much as I love my motherland’s cuisine, I’m always on the lookout for new recipes that challenge me. That’s why I love this recipe. For one, it’s an adaptation of a traditional Filipino dessert. Two, it uses ube spread – a product that I discovered while living in Canada. Ube has a nutty taste and a distinct purple color, and I find it inspiring that different cultures can come together in the kitchen to create something new.
Ube — otherwise known as ‘purple yam’ – is a staple in Filipino cuisine, where it’s used in all kinds of desserts. These days, it’s become a trendy ingredient in the US and Canada, thanks to cookbooks and social media. As a food adventurer, I’m always excited to try new ingredients and this one is no exception. The Trader Joe’s Ube Spread used in this recipe is the perfect way to add that nutty, slightly sweet flavor to this classic treat. Making these Rice Krispies was so easy; all it took was four ingredients and a little bit of elbow grease. Fun fact: did you know that purple is the color of good fortune and royalty in many cultures? I like to think that this dessert is a way for us to all share in a little bit of that good fortune and royalty at home. That said, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started and whip up these tasty treats!
What you need
These 4-Ingredient Ube Rice Krispies Treats with Trader Joe’s Ube Spread are a fun and easy twist on the classic recipe. The key ingredient is ube, a sweet purple yam that is popular in Filipino cuisine and adds not only a pop of color but also a delicious nutty flavor to the treats. The recipe starts with melting butter, marshmallows, and the ube spread together in a saucepan. After adding Rice Krispies cereal, the mixture is pressed into a baking pan and left to cool and set. The result is a chewy and crispy treat with a subtle ube taste that will make your taste buds dance with joy. These treats are perfect for anyone who wants to try something new, and the recipe is extremely beginner-friendly. Best of all, they use only four ingredients and require minimal time and effort to make. So go ahead and give them a try—you’ll be amazed at how yummy and fun they are!
Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter – Acts as a binder for the Krispies. Margarine or vegan butter can be used to make the recipe vegan, but may alter the flavor.
- Marshmallows – The main ingredient for the treats. Can be substituted with vegan marshmallows if needed.
- Ube spread – Adds the distinct ube flavor and purple color to the treats. Trader Joe’s brand is recommended for this recipe, but any ube jam or spread can be used.
- Rice Krispies cereal – Provides the crispy texture and mild flavor to the treats. Can be substituted with any brand of crispy rice cereal.
Utensils:
- Large saucepan – Used to melt the butter, marshmallows, and ube spread together. Any large pot or pan can be used.
- Stirring spoon or spatula – Used to mix the ingredients while melting them, and after adding the cereal. A wooden spoon or rubber spatula works well.
- 9×13 inch baking pan – Used to press the mixture into an even layer and cool before cutting into squares. A baking dish of similar size can be used, or a smaller size for thicker treats and larger size for thinner ones.
- Parchment paper – Optional. Used to line the baking pan for easy removal and clean up. Can be replaced with cooking spray or greasing the pan with butter or oil.
Ube spread: The Purple Yam Craze and Why It’s Here to Stay
As a Filipino food enthusiast, I have long known and loved the sweet and nutty flavor of ube, a root crop that is mashed into a vibrant purple paste. But in recent years, ube has taken the food world by storm and become a trendy flavor and color that has been incorporated into everything from doughnuts to milkshakes. The appeal of ube is not only its stunning color but also its unique taste and aroma that cannot be replicated by any other ingredient. In this recipe, Trader Joe’s Ube Spread provides a convenient and delicious way to add the distinctive ube flavor to classic Rice Krispies Treats, elevating them to a new level of awesomeness.
Marshmallows: More Than Just a S’mores Ingredient
You might think of marshmallows as simply a sticky and gooey confection that’s used to make s’mores by the campfire. But in reality, marshmallows are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet treats and desserts, from Rocky Road ice cream to Rice Krispies Treats. Their fluffy texture and inherent sweetness make them an ideal component for adding volume and flavor to a recipe. And in this case, marshmallows not only provide the base for the Krispies but also act as the glue to bind the other ingredients together. So, next time you’re tempted to overlook marshmallows in the grocery store, remember that they are more than just a one-trick pony and can help take your baking game to the next level.
What to serve it with?
I love serving these Ube Rice Krispies Treats with a hot cup of tea or coffee. The chewy and crispy texture of the treats is complimented by the comforting warmth and aroma of a freshly brewed coffee or tea. Moreover, these treats are not too sweet, so they go perfectly well with a hot beverage. Being from Iran, I’ve grown up with a culture of hospitality that involves serving tea to guests. It’s a way to welcome them into our homes and make them feel at ease. That’s why this pairing is dear to me; it reminds me of my Iranian heritage, and I hope it brings the same warmth and hospitality to those who try it at home.
Summary
And that’s all for today, my fellow foodies! I hope you enjoyed our recipe for 4-Ingredient Ube Rice Krispies Treats with Trader Joe’s Ube Spread. If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this recipe, it’s that trying something new can be rewarding and delicious. Let me know in the comments what new ingredients or recipes you’ve tried recently and what you learned from the experience! As always, feel free to share this recipe with your family and friends. Until next time, happy cooking!
Here’s the recipe:
4-Ingredient Ube Rice Krispies Treats with Trader Joe's Ube Spread
Equipment
- large saucepan
- Stirring spoon or spatula
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 10 oz Marshmallows
- 1/2 cup Ube spread
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Melt the butter, marshmallows, and ube spread together - In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat until fully melted. Add the marshmallows and continue stirring until melted and smooth. Add the ube spread and stir until evenly combined. Take the saucepan off the heat. - Make sure to keep an eye on the marshmallows while melting them. If they are overheated, they can become tough and chewy instead of soft and fluffy.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal - Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the saucepan and mix gently until all the cereal is coated evenly with the marshmallow-ube mixture. - It's important to mix gently instead of vigorously to avoid crushing the cereal and losing its texture.
- Press the mixture into a baking pan - Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter. Transfer the cereal mixture to the pan and press it down firmly and evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon. - To make the job easier, use a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap to press down on the mixture without getting your hands sticky.
- Let the treats cool and set - Let the treats cool for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or until they have set and are firm to the touch. Cut into squares using a sharp knife and serve. - If you prefer crispy and crunchy treats, you can place them in the refrigerator for a short time before cutting them. Be sure to remove them from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before serving to avoid them becoming too hard.
