FAIRY BREAD BUBBLE SLICE

Makes 12 bars

Recipe by Erin Clarkson

Rice Bubble Slice (what we call Rice Krispies Treats in New Zealand) and fairy bread (white sandwich bread with margarine and sprinkles) are both New Zealand children’s birthday party treats, so I had to combine them, and the result is magical. Rice Bubble Slice is made with honey rather than marshmallows to bind, and the sprinkles on the top give it the perfect crunchy finish.

5 cups (150 grams) crisp rice cereal
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (174 grams) granulated sugar
⅔ cup plus 2 tablespoons (178 grams) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (63 grams) honey
½ teaspoon (3 grams) vanilla bean paste or (2 grams) vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Nonpareil sprinkles

1. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over sides of pan. Secure with binder clips, if desired.

2. In a large bowl, place cereal.

3. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat sugar, butter, and honey over medium heat, stirring frequently with a spatula, until butter is melted and mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 235°F (113°C), about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla bean paste or extract and salt until combined. Pour over cereal, and stir until evenly coated.

4. Transfer mixture to prepared pan, and smooth down with a spatula. Using a piece of parchment paper, flatten surface, pressing down hard to make sure cereal mixture is firmly packed together. Immediately top with sprinkles. Let stand until almost set, about 45 minutes. Using excess parchment as handles, remove from pan, and cut into bars. Best served same day.

Photo by Erin Clarkson

STRAWBERRY BADAM KATLI BARS

Makes 35 to 38 bars

Recipe by Amisha Gurbani

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, mithai