Bourbon Caramel Rice Crispy Treats With Shadowy Chocolate (Gluten Free)

AJ and I met almost about 12 years within the past. Our Ten One year Anniversary memoir, whereby I made a chocolate caramel cheesecake for him, chronicles the hazy nostalgia of how we got together and what we rely as our anniversary date. On the alternative hand it’s no longer the initiating of the memoir for AJ and me. The initiating of the memoir in fact occurred one One year earlier. It enthusiastic a blasphemous Easter Celebration, Star Wars, a mom’s day reward, and one very special home made rice crispy treat.

I had moved to San Francisco a One year forward of assembly AJ and, as my friend Forrest described me on the time, I changed into as soon as a small broken. I had gotten out of a relationship that changed into as soon as my first the entirety: first homosexual date, first kiss, first boyfriend. To sing that I changed into as soon as lost and broken on the end of the connection is to position it mildly, despite the proven truth that to my credit, I changed into as soon as the one who at closing broke up with him (after he broke up with me and we got abet together) It’s a story for one other time, but within the end, I spotted that he wasn’t the one. And I in actuality wished to be with the one.

The switch out right here to California changed into as soon as a painful one. I changed into as soon as leaving my family for the first time (I came upon out years later that my mom cried after I drove away with the U-Haul truck) and heading out on my catch. The right kind pressure out to California changed into as soon as advanced by the proven truth that my ex-boyfriend and I rented a U-Haul truck together to switch out right here, me to San Francisco, him to Los Angeles to be along with his fresh boyfriend (a proven truth that I came upon out for the duration of the roadtrip out right here). *shrug* It appeared cherish a logical belief on the time I wager.

San Francisco changed into as soon as radiant and fresh and in spite of being satisfied that I changed into as soon as now no longer in my fatherland, a city that I repeatedly talked about I would switch a long way from after I graduated from excessive college (but didn’t) I changed into as soon as lovely lonely. I changed into as soon as fortunate that I already had a core crew of four chums that I knew sooner than I moved out right here and they had been my rock and basis for my fresh existence right here.

The first One year out right here in San Francisco changed into as soon as tricky. It changed into as soon as the dotcom period and EVERYONE wished a graphic designer – that did web originate (some issues by no blueprint changed). And despite the proven truth that I did some web originate, my coronary heart changed into as soon as by no blueprint in it, as I changed into as soon as a branding and print guy. Within the end I temped at a necessity of build, originate and in any other case, along with an build of labor building the build I changed into as soon as unceremoniously fired from (it’s a hilarious unbelievable memoir, strike a cord in me to repeat you it one among this prove day – completely completely my fault why I changed into as soon as fired, ah feckless youth…). The necessity of experiences from that period is now not in any appreciate times in actuality-ending and any mistake that I might maybe per chance presumably make, I most definitely did.

And a form of these errors integrated in actuality repulsive dates. One date had the guy existing up, handiest to express to me that he had invited along a coworker with him (trudge, on our first date) who changed into as soon as on account of existing up any minute. Making matters even worse, he asked me if I wouldn’t mind being discreet, on story of he wasn’t out to his coworker yet. Every other date ended with us making out in our bedroom, all reputedly going properly, until the guy stupefied for no reason in any appreciate, jumped up mid-kiss and ran out of my condominium. Changed into after I that repulsive a kisser?

It changed into as soon as on the end of this collection of repulsive dates that I met AJ. My college friend Jenny had tried to living me up with a coworker of her’s (no longer AJ) and it hadn’t worked out, but Jenny’s coworker and I had been seeking to be chums. He had invited me to lollygag around with him and his friend Bryan who, in turn, had invited AJ along.

It changed into as soon as the afternoon of Easter Sunday, 1999. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence had been celebrating their twentieth Anniversary with a tall toll road truthful, which integrated closing off a block of Castro Aspect toll road. For these no longer aware of the Sisters, they are crew of homosexual males, that costume up in nun trudge and end charity work. It might maybe maybe in all probability per chance per chance presumably be vital to ride them first hand right here in San Francisco to in fact understand who they, but subsequent time your in San Francisco, give me a holler, I’ll introduce you to a couple them. Every Easter involves such stress-free “handiest in San Francisco” events cherish their Hunky Jesus contest, and this one changed into as soon as no assorted. Within the end, they raised over $13,000 to give to assorted charities around San Francisco.

Whereas on the truthful, upright sooner than AJ met me, his friend Bryan made up our minds to aquire him a assorted treat – a rice crispy treat in fact. Equipped by a man dressed up as Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ, these treats had, a small extra one thing in them. One thing that’s lovely neatly-liked right here in San Francisco. I’m honest going to leave it at that.

AJ, of direction, had by no blueprint carried out one thing else cherish this sooner than. Basically this took build to be the one and ONLY time he has ever experimented in a assorted treat from Dorothy. At as soon as after eating it, he met me.

He did warn me earlier than time. He explained the shriek and talked about that if he started performing funny or abnormal to no longer rob it the crude system. Needless to remark, having by no blueprint met him sooner than, I had no sinister of judgment to what he on the total acted cherish. Any warnings he gave me in actuality didn’t mean great.

We left one yet another that day, with a vague “hey factual inserting out with you…let’s end it yet again…” form of passing. Even when I changed into as soon as in him, I in actuality wasn’t making an are trying to regain somebody to this point. I changed into as soon as already within the center of my repulsive relationship frenzy and I absolutely wasn’t making an are trying to regain one other person to positioned on that checklist.

A month or two went by. I had started relationship a man I known as “Merely On Jimmy” as his fixed accumulate phrase changed into as soon as “upright on.” It wasn’t going so properly. After which I with out be aware met AJ within the book shop I changed into as soon as working at.

AJ regarded lovely and a small of geeky and a small frazzled when he walked in. He changed into as soon as making an are trying to regain a book for his mom for Mother’s Day. As he stared in frustration on the alternative on the wall, I saw him a small of shrug his shoulders and originate to mosey out. I known as out to him and asked him if I might maybe per chance presumably aid. He regarded over and his smile made me soften. Every single object within the book shop went out of focal point and all I might maybe per chance presumably hear changed into as soon as him asking about a book for his mom.

I suggested a book for him (Divine Secrets and systems of the Ya Ya Sisterhood – trudge I undergo in mind the book, no I’ve by no blueprint learn, but I fresh it changed into as soon as standard for Mother’s Day) and he equipped it. I told him to catch my cellphone number from our mutual friend, the one who brought me to the Aspect toll road Sexy. He promised to after which walked out the door.

I don’t know why I didn’t give him my number upright then. I changed into as soon as relationship Merely On Jimmy on the time and I’m no longer one to this point more than one participants. But he changed into as soon as lovely and there changed into as soon as positively a spark. Perchance I wished to test him to test if he in actuality did cherish me. I wished to test if it he would buckle down and do the ache of getting my number. Because that would mean he in actuality changed into as soon as .

It changed into as soon as evident to my coworkers on the book shop that I changed into as soon as clearly . It sounds as within the occasion that they had a conversation standing upright subsequent to me, discuss how AJ and I had been shameless flirting with one yet another, and how they might maybe per chance repeat we had been into one yet another on story of clearly we had been oblivious to everybody and the entirety within the room as opposed to one yet another. “It’s ideal how to blatantly discuss these which can per chance per chance presumably be standing upright subsequent to you, and they won’t hear you in any appreciate within the occasion that they are clearly in one thing else.” She talked about to my other coworker who nodded knowingly with a smirk.

My child dyke coworker giggled as she told me this upright after AJ left. I blushed. On the alternative hand it changed into as soon as truthful.

AJ did observe down my friend, who it seems, changed into as soon as no longer a mutual friend of his. He had to call his friend Bryan to catch the need of their mutual friend to catch my number. That’s a form of loops to soar through. Clearly he changed into as soon as .

And he known as me. We talked for an hour. Then he invited me to a Star Wars social gathering.

In case it has no longer come up, AJ loves Star Wars. LOVES Star Wars. And, it being 1999, Episode 1 of Star Wars changed into as soon as popping out. To own a supreme time that, he threw a Star Wars social gathering in which he confirmed all three of the normal movies abet to abet.

I got right here in somewhere within the center of Empire Strikes Support. I don’t know if I stayed the total time or no longer. But AJ had pizza. We talked. I changed into as soon as smitten. And so we living up a date.

AJ changed into as soon as lovely darn adorable. Merely on Jimmy and I accomplished issues (properly he ended issues, but the ruin outcome of it ending and my outrage over it, is a sexy bright memoir in and of itself) and AJ and I began to test one yet another. And finally taking a watch tall on paper, it honest didn’t click. Name it repulsive timing, or the crude build on the crude time, nonetheless it didn’t work out. And five months later, we broke up.

It changed into as soon as sturdy, AJ straight away regretted breaking up with me. He asked me if we wished to catch abet together. I hemmed and hawed. We frolicked so much, but we didn’t give it one other are trying. As yet another we become chums. Sincere chums. Most effective chums.

And when we did catch abet together, seven months later, it stuck this time; we had established that basis and friendship. Had we no longer broken up, if he hadn’t broken my coronary heart, it most definitely wouldn’t own had yet another to heal properly. I wouldn’t own had yet another to heal properly.

I’m no longer announcing existence has been ultimate since then. We’ve had our factual instances and our repulsive instances. But I wouldn’t replace any of it with anybody else. And so, for this Valentine’s Day, I made up our minds I wished to make him some Rice Krispy Treats. I passed over the special ingredient that Dorothy added, but I added a few substances of my catch to make them special, chocolate, caramel and a small bourbon. As AJ talked about, these admire Rice Crispy Treats are elevated. But they won’t elevate you cherish Dorothy’s. 😉

Tickled Valentine’s Day everybody. I’m hoping you’ve a factual one.

This post changed into as soon as inspired by Gluten Free Woman’s demand folk to write their admire memoir of their weblog for Valentine’s Day. Please confirm out her post and learn the incredible comments that participants own left telling their memoir. It’s a terrific and heartwarming ride.

Whereas making these treats, I listened the Cocteau Twins’ Heaven or Las Vegas. I’m no longer obvious why. It honest felt acceptable.

Bourbon Caramel Rice Crispy Treats with Shadowy Chocolate (gluten free)

These rice crispy treats end own bourbon in them, and should always you taste the marshmallows, they are lovely boozy. But while you combine them with the rice crispy cereal the bourbon becomes honest a faint subtle save. Within the occasion you cherish your booze, in actuality feel free to replace two more tablespoons of bourbon for the cool water ragged to soften the gelatin. I won’t repeat anybody.

Bourbon Caramel Marshmallows Fluff

1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of powdered unflavored gelatin (1 1/2 choices)

2 tablespoons of bourbon (I ragged Maker’s Value)

2 tablespoons of cool water

1 cup granulated white sugar

1/4 cup gentle corn syrup

1/4 cup water

1 egg white from a mammoth egg

pinch of salt

pinch of cream of tartar

1. Mix the powdered gelatin, bourbon and funky water in little bowl to soften the gelatin.

2. Draw the sugar, corn syrup and water in a mammoth saucepan and shriek to a boil on excessive heat. Decrease to medium heat. You might maybe wish to exercise a mammoth saucepan, on story of this might maybe per chance per chance bubble up. Are attempting NOT to exercise a nonstick pan, as one with a silver metal bottom will aid you higher desire the tell of the caramel as you cook dinner it.

3. Within the interim, as the sugar syrup cooks, build the egg white, pinch of salt and pinch of cream of tartar within the bowl with a standing mixer with the wire high-tail connected. Whip on medium excessive until the egg white holds stiff peaks.

4. Trudge abet to the sugar syrup and continue to cook dinner the syrup until it begins to turn a small bit brown. The minute the syrup begins to brown, rob away the syrup from the heat and swirl the syrup up around to make obvious it evenly cooks. You don’t wish to overcook the caramel. Most ceaselessly I rob it off the heat as soon because it begins to brown and caramelize, and swirl it around to let the residual heat of the pan enact cooking it. If it isn’t darkening ample, you might maybe per chance presumably presumably also repeatedly put abet on the heat, but should always you overcook, or no longer it is vital to originate over. Within the occasion you’ve a candy thermometer, you desire to own to rob it off the heat as soon because it hits 320˚F, the very initiating of the carmelization of the sugar.

5. As soon as the sugar syrup is a golden amber coloration (about 340˚F should always you’re utilizing a candy themometer) rob it off the heat and add the gelatin. This would per chance per chance presumably bubble up and steam so watch out. Mix with a heatproof spatula or picket spoon until the gelatin has dissolved. Then rob it over to the standing mixer.

6. Turn the standing mixer to excessive and slowly pour the syrup into the egg whites as the mixer whips the egg whites. Proceed to pour until the complete syrup is ragged up. Leave the standing mixer going for one other 10 -12 minutes or to whip air into it and the marshmallow has cooled to room temperature.

Rice Crispy Treat

3 tablespoons salted butter

8 cups (10 oz) of gluten free crispy brown rice cereal (study bid)

1 batch of bourbon caramel marshmallows (recipe above)

1. Grease a 9 x 13 poke baking pan with cooking spray.

2. Pour the bourbon caramel marshmallow fluff proper into a mammoth pot or dutch oven, along with the butter.

3.  Cook dinner on medium heat until the butter has melted and begins to brown a small bit and the marshmallow fluffy has melted. Trudge with a heat proof spatula or a picket spoon until the marshmallow and butter own combined and thinned a small.

4. Add the crispy rice cereal and plug until thoroughly coated with the marshmallow.

5. Press the rice crispy mixture into the ready pan, utilizing a greased spatula or a share of wax paper to evenly unfold it into the pan.

6. Allow to harden at room temperature, about 20 minutes, after which grease a mammoth chef knife and carve into 2 poke squares.

Assemble the Rice Crispy Treat

12 ouncesof shaded chocolate, divided (ideally one thing that you just desire to expend out of hand)

1 ouncesof white chocolate (don’t exercise white chocolate chips as they don’t soften thoroughly)

Gold luster mud (non-obligatory)

1. Line a baking sheet with a silpat, wax paper or aluminum foil.

2. Cleave 10 ouncesof shaded chocolate into little 1/4 poke squares. Draw in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Trudge the chocolate and microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Trudge and microwave for one other 30 seconds. At this point the bowl should always be lovely heat and the chocolate somewhat melted. Pull it out of the microwave and plug until the chocolate is fully liquid. If it mild needs a small more time, microwave in 15 2nd intervals until melted.

2. Dip the bottom of one rice crispy treat into the melted chocolate, being obvious to coat about a 1/2 poke up the edges. Draw the crispy treat, chocolate side down, on the lined baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the crispy treat squares.

3. As soon as the treats are all dipped in chocolate, refrigerate the treats when you are making the chocolate hearts.

4. Line one other baking sheet with aluminum foil or wax paper.

5. Cleave the rest 2 ouncesof shaded chocolate into little 1/ poke squares and build within the microwave safe bowl. Microwave and plug for 30 2nd intervals, honest as you did in step 2, until the complete chocolate is melted. Since there’s very much less chocolate to soften, you most definitely handiest need one or two cycles.

6. Pour the chocolate onto the lined baking sheet and, utilizing an offset spatula or butter knife, unfold the chocolate as thin as you might maybe per chance presumably presumably also.

7. Draw a little saucepan catch with a small little bit of water on the variety. Match a steel bowl over the saucepan, and be obvious the steel bowl doesn’t touch the water.

8. Cleave the white chocolate into 1/4 poke little squares. Draw them within the steel bowl.

9. Steal away the steel bowl and switch on the heat on the variety to shriek the water to a boil. As soon because it is at a immediate boil, turn the heat off, and build the steel boil on top of the saucepan.

10. Trudge the white chocolate within the steel bowl. The residual heat from the steam under it might maybe per chance per chance presumably mild originate to soften it. Proceed to plug until the white chocolate is fully melted and tender.

11. Steal a sandwich size ziplock obtain and build it in a mammoth mouthed glass drinking or measuring cup. Flip top of the ziplock obtain over the rim of the glass. The utilization of a spatula, scrape the white chocolate into the obtain. Flip the tip of the obtain upright side up and pull the obtain out of the glass. Then zip halt the obtain.

12. Snip a in point of fact little opening on the nook of the obtain. In a zig zag pattern, squeeze the white chocolate immediate over the shaded chocolate on the baking sheet diagonally. Don’t wretchedness if it gets a small messy. You’ll be cutting out hearts from it, so it doesn’t own to gaze ultimate.

13. Draw the baking sheet within the refrigerator for 3 to four minutes. You favor to chill the chocolate to the purpose the build it seems matte on top, but isn’t rock sturdy. Within the occasion you’ve cooled the chocolate too prolonged, this might maybe per chance per chance crack. You wish it hardened but mild soft ample to carve.

14. After the chocolate has had time to chill within the refrigerator, utilizing a little coronary heart fashioned cookie cutter, carve hearts into the chocolate sheet. As soon as carried out, build it abet within the refrigerator for one other ten to fifteen minutes to fully harden up.

15. As soon as the chocolate hearts own hardened, pull the chocolate coated rice crispy treats out of the refrigerator along with the chocolate hearts. Crack out the chocolate hearts and build one on top of every rice crispy treat.

16. As soon as every rice crispy treat has a coronary heart on top. Steal a kitchen torch and lightly soften the chocolate coronary heart on top, to affix it to the treat. This might occasionally rob a small put together, but you desire to own to preserve the torch flame parallel to the chocolate, until the chocolate melts and seems radiant. Within the occasion you torch it straight, you are going to burn the chocolate or burn the rice crispy treat (I learned this the sturdy system). Within the occasion you don’t own a torch, you might maybe per chance presumably presumably also build the rice crispy treats under the broiler for ten seconds or so. Otherwise you might maybe per chance presumably presumably also are trying utilizing a hair dryer living to excessive to soften the chocolate. Finally, you might maybe per chance presumably presumably also additionally honest soften some more chocolate and dab a small bit beneath every coronary heart as “glue” to affix it to the treat.

17. Draw the rice crispy treats abet within the refrigerator for the chocolate hearts to harden, about Quarter-hour or longer. As soon as they’ve hardened, dip a q-tip or little brush and  brush a side of the coronary heart with gold luster mud if utilizing.

18. Give them to your valentine and rob pleasure in his or her admire.

Describe 1. Within the occasion you desire to own to honest make the marshmallows, you might maybe per chance presumably presumably also oil and generously sift some confectioners’ sugar proper into a 9” sq. pan after which pour the marshmallow into it. Refrigerate the marshmallows for on the very least four hours or in a single day. Then slit into squares and luxuriate in bourbon caramel marshmallows.

Describe 2. Within the occasion you are making these gluten free, you would deserve to preserve a long way from Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal because it has malt flavoring. Malt is product of barley which comprises gluten. That talked about, there are a necessity of crispy rice cereals which can per chance per chance presumably be gluten free. I suggest Erewon’s Crispy Brown Rice cereal and Nature’s Direction Entire Grain Brown Cripsy Rice cereal. Added bonus, they are every organic.