Soccer season officially started.
Every time I walk through the supermarket, I spot at least two or three kids in cleats and shin guards, slowly following their parents around while slurping down Gatorade. Shoe laces untied, hair tangled, and grass stains on their knee caps… If I were them, I’d beg to hitch a ride in the cart—or simply wait in the car!
Their brightly colored jerseys bring back memories of when I played in my city’s rec league throughout grade school. My mom drove me to practice each week and offered to sew my teams’ banners for a few years, which we proudly displayed at the games and once during the soccer parade down Main Street (although I usually boycotted that and slept in instead).
Then on Saturdays, I pulled on my uniform and ran up and down the field at the local middle school. My coaches shouted their favorite phrases—“Midfielders drop back!” and “Gotta want it!”—while we struggled to shoot the ball past the opposing goalie. (I always asked to play defense. I was too shy and timid to lead the offensive charge as a forward!)
At halftime, the parents rotated the responsibility of supplying us with snacks. They usually offered fresh orange slices, but sometimes we got chilled grapes (my favorite!). After a little pep talk, we sprinted around the field for another 30 minutes before the final whistle sounded.
Win or lose, we high-fived the other team and stuffed our faces with sweet treats at the end of the match. Some parents planned ahead and baked homemade chocolate chips cookies, but others (mine included!) completely forgot and dashed over to the nearest grocery store during the game to grab pre-made goodies. Rice krispie treats—the plain ones in those bright blue wrappers—showed up nearly every other week, but they were always a huge hit!
But you guys should know me by now… I
A root beer float!
Yes, I created Root Beer Float Rice Krispie Treats! To make these bars, you’ll add more marshmallows than in other recipes, which make them sweeter, gooier, and stay soft longer. A total win! The bottom layer tastes warm and spicy from the root beer extract (just like the soda!), while the sweet vanilla layer on top resembles the ice cream. When eaten together, they taste exactly like the classic float—but without the straw or sticky half-melted mess!
These taste just like a root beer float, except there’s no straw necessary! They’re best if eaten the same day they’re made, but they’ll still stay soft in an air-tight container for a few days.
- Generously coat a 9”-square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (canola or butter-flavored is best). Set aside.
- To prepare the root beer layer, add the cereal to a large bowl. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the marshmallows once the butter has melted, and stir constantly with a spatula. When the marshmallows are almost completely melted, remove the pot from the heat and pour in the root beer extract. Return the pot to the heat, and continue stirring constantly until the extract is fully incorporated and the marshmallows melt.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal, and stir with the spatula until fully incorporated. Pour the gooey cereal mixture into the prepared pan. Generously coat your hands with the nonstick cooking spray, and press the cereal mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan.
- To prepare the vanilla layer, add the cereal to a large bowl. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the marshmallows once the butter has melted, and stir constantly with a spatula. When the marshmallows are almost completely melted, remove the pot from the heat and pour in the vanilla extract. Return the pot to the heat, and continue stirring constantly until the extract is fully incorporated and the marshmallows melt.
- Pour the marshmallow mixture over the cereal, and stir with the spatula until fully incorporated. Pour the gooey cereal mixture into the prepared pan on top of the root beer layer. Generously coat your hands with the nonstick cooking spray, and press the cereal mixture evenly across the root beer layer. Cool completely before cutting into 16 squares.
Um, hello?! This is GENIUS!! So fun! If I had been a sports kid, I would have totally gobbled these up after practice! (I probably would have stayed in the sport for snack time ONLY, matter of fact! was never much for sports!)
That’s the only reason I made it through every soccer game — we got dessert and sugary drinks after the games! At least they kind of gave us similar stuff at band reviews, right? 😉
You had at ‘Rice Krispie Treat….’
YUM!!
Thanks Gretchen! I love how easy rice krispie treats are to make. And since it’s the one treat my guy will actually eat, I just might make a few more of them in the near future!
I love these! Root beer is one of my favorites. And can I tell you how happy I was when Jordan quit soccer? LOL!
Thanks Dorothy! I don’t blame you — those 8 am soccer games were the worst, especially as parents! At least she has an indoor hobby with theater now, right?
I saw on a webpage about something and ended here. I took a second to see what this brilliant idea was…. Who was the genius who thought and created these tasty root beer rice crispe treats. What a great story! It makes me t hunk back for a second, wishing I was a kid again. I’m sure if marketed this would be a great product for sale for kids across the use. I get my attempt to make my own this weekend. Thanks for having this vision and sharing it.
Thank you for your kind words, John! I hope you enjoy the treats this weekend!
Yum! These look absolutely delicious! but where do you buy root beer extract?
Thanks Cheryl! I found root beer extract at Walmart, of all places. Some grocery stores carry it; others don’t. But McCormick makes it, as well as some other brands. I hope you find a bottle!
Thanks Amy! I’ll try Walmart!
You’re welcome Cheryl! I have my fingers crossed for you!
I made these for Ben’s end of the season soccer party and they were a hit, especially with the parents! Thanks for the recipe and the extract gift! Noel wants to try root beer ice cream next!
You’re welcome Rachel! I’m so glad they turned out for you. Noel is such a smart girl; root beer ice cream sounds amazing! I’m definitely creating a recipe for that once the weather starts warming up again.