Rice Krispies Cake

$20 - $25 (based on 2016 prices)

Makes one cake

For her birthday, a friend presented me with a baking challenge: "make me a cake without using any batter." After pondering the idea for a while, I settled on Rice Krispies treats. I selected a black-and-white color scheme; however, your version can be far more colorful - consider dying the marshmallow mixture with food coloring or using Fruity Pebbles for a polychromatic effect.  

• 12 Cups miniature marshmallows
• 12 Cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 6 Cups Cocoa Krispies cereal  
• 1 Cup butter
• 1 Cup dark chocolate chips

1. In large saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over low heat.

2. Add four cups of marshmallows to the butter and stir until they are completely melted.

3. Remove the mixture from the heat and add six cups of cereal, stirring until the cereal is well coated.

4. Press the mixture evenly into a greased baking pan and allow it to cool. Since you will stack each layer, consider resting a second pan on the top of the mixture to give it a level surface.

5. Repeat steps one through four with Cocoa Krispies and Rice Krispies to form two additional layers. You, of course, are free to incorporate as many tiers as you desire and in whichever flavors or colors you wish.

6. Once the layers have cooled, remove them from their pans and stack them. You could alternate colors, cut patterns into them with cookie cutters, or shape them into certain designs.

7. Combine chocolate chips with a tablespoon of butter and, in a double boiler, warm the mixture over low heat until it completely melts. To prevent it from burning, stir it repeatedly with a whisk.

8. Drizzle the cake plate and the top of the cake with the melted chocolate. Your application can be random and haphazard or planned and delicate.

9. For decorative touches, drizzle the remaining chocolate onto wax paper and freeze the designs overnight. Here, too, you can create chaotic clusters or intricate patterns.

10. Directly before serving, top the cake with a dollop of whipped cream and the frozen chocolate drizzles.