Grammatically Correct Marshmallow Squares

Standing in line at Starbucks waiting to order a latte, I found myself wondering why they don’t use the possessive case (really, it should be “Starbuck’s”). Since pointing out the error to the barista was unlikely to correct this grammatical faux pas, I distracted myself with a short tour of the dessert case. The only semi-nutritious snack there was a Nature Bar, a cornflake square speckled with sesame seeds and other trail mix minutia. At $2.79 (plus tax) these glorified Rice Krispie Squares are three times the price of a chocolate bar and much smaller.

No apostrophe and over-priced marshmallow squares? Something HAD to be done. To save my pennies to buy Starbucks an apostrophe, I’ve created my own version of the Nature Bar. Frugal, fun and flexible, these can be adapted to suit almost any palate. Feel free to try your own variations and spend your savings any way you please.

Cost of ingredients: $6.97
Price of pan: $12.89
Saving the possessive case: priceless

Grammatically Correct Marshmallow Squares

Ingredients

• 40 large marshmallows (4 cups miniature marshmallows)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 4 cups cereal (cornflakes, flax flakes, bran flakes)
• 2 cups of your favourite trail mix or custom mixed nuts/ raisins/ seeds in any combination you like. I use a combination of:

• • dried cranberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, cashews, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and almonds.

Instructions:

1. Over low heat or in the microwave, melt butter and marshmallows together. Stir in vanilla.
2. Fold in cereal flakes.
3. Fold in nuts and seeds until well mixed.
4. Press firmly into greased 9″ x 13″ pan. Chill until firm.