New reality with a baby: All cooking must take less than an hour start to finish or else you risk a baby waking up STARVING (OMG I'M SO HUNGRY MOM. RIGHT NOW.) just at the point where your dish needs the most attention. This makes matcha black sesame rice krispie treats the perfect new-mom St. Patty's day dessert. Forget about dieting to fit into your pre-baby pants, you're still in survival mode.
And you know what tastes even better at 2am while soothing a fussy baby? Rice krispie treats.
In our (3 week long) experience with parenting thus far, we've discovered that our baby is much like us: she's a champion eater (at her 2 week check-up, she was in the 95th percentile for weight and 99th percentile for length) and can take epic naps. The hardest part for us so far has not been the lack of sleep.
It's that she insists on being held. Constantly. And not just held, but held over the shoulder or against our chest while we continuously bounce on an exercise ball. A feat that requires two hands for a newborn who still needs neck support. Doing her part to make sure I fit into my pants. Also, I dare you to try to get anything done without hands.
(Note: We tried to let her "cry it out" one night when we knew she had all her needs met - setting a 10 minute timer. Guess who has the world's best lungs and refuses to be called a quitter? Zoella Mae.)
It didn't take long for us to figure out that if we wear the baby in the moby wrap, we're able to bounce bounce bounce bounce while still having our hands free to eat a matcha rice krispie treat or two. If I'm forced to exercise, I might as well enjoy it. The snuggly baby helps too;)
In related news, I found a chunk of green rice krispie treat in her hair the other day.
And I ate it. I think I'm assimilating to mom-hood just fine.
I made an extra half pan of these matcha rice krispie treats so I'd have enough to share because I knew I'd need at least a full batch all to myself. These treats are everything you love about your chewy childhood sweet, but spruced up for sophisticated taste buds. Gluten-free brown rice crisps are my favorite choice for rice krispie treats - they're only lightly sweetened with fruit juice and in this form, they highlight matcha's earthiness.
Matcha black sesame rice krispie treats are meant for the matcha aficionado - not for matcha newbies. Matcha adds an earthy layer that turns sweet as it lingers, black sesame seeds bring in nutty notes, and the dark chocolate chunks on top add extra sweetness while simultaneously playing off matcha's pleasant bitter undertones.
AND they're naturally green for St. Patrick's Day (but that's still a couple weeks away, so you should def make a test batch now;). It only took me two days to singlehandedly finish off a whole pan of these puppies. Don't judge.
More Matcha Black Sesame Recipes
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Black Sesame Cake with Whipped Matcha Mascarpone
- Gluten-free Matcha Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust and Black Sesame Drizzle
- Matcha Black Sesame Nougat Chews
- Coconut Matcha Ice Cream with Black Sesame Brittle Chips
- Gluten-free Matcha Cake with Black Sesame Streusel
Recipe
Easy Matcha Rice Krispie Treats with Chocolate Chunks
Ingredients
- ½ cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter
- 10- ounce bag of marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons high-quality matcha powder
- 6 cups brown rice crisps cereal, I use Barbara's gluten-free brown rice crisps - If you don't need gluten-free, you can also just use Kellogg's Rice Krispies
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt or fleur de sel
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line a 9 x 13" dish with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, melt and brown the butter over medium-low heat. After it foams, it will begin to turn golden brown with a nutty aroma. Stir frequently, watching carefully until it just browns. Be careful not to burn the butter.
- Lower the heat and add the marshmallows and matcha powder, stirring until all marshmallows are just melted. Remove from heat.
- Add the brown rice crisps cereal and black sesame seeds, and stir to combine.
- Spread evenly in the parchment-lined dish. Sprinkle chopped dark chocolate and salt over top and let rest until the chocolate sets. Slice and serve.
Heike -
Hi Sarah,
These treats are awesome. Thanks so much for this super recipe. I made a plantbased version and they turned out fantastically.
Must confess, way to addictive.
Will make them again soonish.
Janet -
I just stumbled on this recipe and I look forward to trying it. But I want to say, "I remember it well!!!!!" My first daughter, born in 1994, was similar to yours. In the late afternoon and early evening hours we had to hold her while standing, patting, walking, dancing, singing. Try it sitting down . . . UNACCEPTABLE. Try it standing still without walking or dancing . . . UNACCEPTABLE. What a time, and what a mystery that an infant can be so exacting with her needs. Yet my memories of these times are infinitely precious. Mazel Tov!
Sarah Menanix -
Aw this is such a timely comment as I'm expecting baby #2 ANY DAY NOW. Here's hoping he likes being cradled and spending time in the swing haha. Thank you so much!
Lu Ann -
You are a Goddess.
3 weeks in and you've come up with this? and POSTED it?
Goddess.
Amoda -
How are we just hearing of Matcha March on the 21st!! Excited to try this recipe out with our matcha. Haven't made rice crispie squares for years, but I think the black sesame and matcha will go really well together. Thanks!
Sarah Menanix -
I hope you love it! I've still got a few Matcha recipes left...so I'm thinking maybe Matcha May too;)
Amoda -
haha Matcha May sounds good to us! Has a nice ring to it anyway :)
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter -
Aaw, hang in there mama. You guys are doing awesome! So happy that baby Z is sleeping and eating well :) Yes, the moby wrap was such a lifesaver for me. Love these rice krispie treats, the matcha, black sesame and chocolate combo sound perfect!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you!! I'm just slowly slowly starting to emerge from baby-land - I ended up getting a new wrap and I LOVE it. I borrowed it from the library and loved it so much I got one for myself today!
Rakhee@boxofspice -
When I tried the cry it out method with my baby a hundred years ago, she cried for 1.5 hours the first day, the worst 1.5 hours of my life!!! Second day 30 minutes and third day she was sleeping like she hadn't for 9 months! She too loved being held... still does at ten!!! :) AND Wow! These krispie rice treats look so damn delicious! I need a couple right now!
Sarah Menanix -
What a lucky lil' sleeper and snuggler you have! Thank you so much - wish I could send them to you!!
Christine -
Sarah you are such a matcha dessert master! These sound super delicious, like the perfect consolation for being up in the middle of the night ;)
Sarah Menanix -
Ooo - matcha dessert master! I'll take that title! That's the best compliment ever!
Veronica -
Little Zoella sounds like her Auntie Daniela who loved to fall asleep on her daddy's chest. I love your recipe and the photos are perfect.
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life -
You are a superwoman Ms Sarah! It sounds like your little family has a good routine going, and I hope Zoella keeps up her champion sleeping :)
These treats sound amazing and I love that they are naturally green. I'm sure I should start 'testing' these now just so I'm certain that my St Paddy's Day batch are just perfect ;)
Sarah Menanix -
I'm 2 months late in responding to comments (oops!), but she's still a pretty stellar sleeper. We feel PRETTY lucky. Though I'm not without utter exhaustion because she insists I hold her ALL DAY LONG.
Megan {Country Cleaver} -
I just babysat my god daughter and it was eye opening practice!! These are wonderful to fit in between feedings or ya know when the craving strikes!
Sarah Menanix -
I feel like they don't adequately warn you just how hard the first couple months are - I'm just emerging from hibernation now...slowly. Oh so slowly...
Lisa / Good on Paper -
I still have to make your other rice krispy treats! SO behind ;) Ooh, maybe try a swing? Worked like magic for both my boys ;) Awesome she's a great eater and sleeper though!
Sarah Menanix -
We pulled out the swing out of desperation and...whaddya know? IT WORKS. It only takes up half our living room bahaha. Let's get together soon!
gerry @ foodness gracious -
These look so good, the color is awesome and the photographs...amazing as usual!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama -
Oh I feel for you. My youngest daughter was a chest sleeper. She hated everything except my laying on my chest. I couldn't do anything unless she was snuggled to my chest in our ergo or Moby. Most nights consisted of her sleeping on me.(I know! Co- sleeping no no!)
And I would eat Krispie treats out of her hair too ;)
Sarah Menanix -
Haha - It's funny how much they scare you against co-sleeping, but now that I know her better, I feel pretty confident than when we snuggle in the morning, nothing's going to happen to her!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain -
Seriously, you are amazing! Not only are you a great mama, but these krispie treats look insanely good!
Bonita -
Sarah, I was wondering about all the caffeine in matcha powder ?
Sarah Menanix -
Great question! Matcha does have a little bit of caffeine, but what makes it unique as a morning pick-me-up is that it's got a combination of theanine and caffeine, which helps to give a "wakeful calmness" without the jitters or crashing of coffee caffeine. Hope this helps!
Carla -
I sincerely wish that I could like comments in your comments section. SO GOOD.
I'M COMING OVER. For the BABY. And the rice krispies.
Sarah Menanix -
YES PLEASE. We miss you.
Alanna -
Brown butter too!? You're killing me!
Sarah Menanix -
Idea: You make these and bring them on Thursday. Done. and Done. ;)
Aimee -
Wow these look amazing xx
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you!!
Nancy Stern -
So delicious!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens -
Haha, one day her non-quitter attitude is going to come in handy! With those lungs and that attitude, I can't help but envision an extremely successful long distance runner. These matcha treats sound superb, I love the sea salt topping! Can't wait to try a vegan version of this! <3
DessertForTwo -
I'm craving these right now!
You guys are doing an AWESOME job! Keep it up! She's so lucky to have you :)
My Camille is like that...always wants to be held. It's getting better now that she started crawling last week, but still--always wants to be in my arms. I think it's because she's cold and my hip is warm? Not sure. But life does go on; you can do it! I'm working full time and raising a clinging baby. You can do it! I believe in you :)
So glad you guys are home safe and happy and well <3
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
Invite me over. I will help you eat all the rice krispies in your baby's hair. #doinitright
Sarah Menanix -
I'll invite Eric over so he can trim her mullet.