Happy Monday, everyone – I hope you had a nice weekend! The boys and I just returned from a trip to Washington DC to visit Ben’s parent’s for a few days!
It’s always a great mix of fun and R&R whenever we head out east. Over the past few days Lincoln enjoyed catching up on some light reading, we went for several long walks in the sunshine to house-gaze, and even got to have lunch with our friends Kim, Dylan, and their adorable four month old son who also live out there.
No trip to our nation’s capital would be complete without seeing some it’s signature sights, so of course we drove into the city to visit our junior senator’s namesake memorial. He’s a dead ringer, don’t you think?
No matter how many times I see the monuments around DC, they still make my jaw drop. Glad to see the reflecting pool’s been filled up too as it was under construction and empty the last time we were here. (Anyone else thing of Forrest Gump’s epic speech whenever they see this?!)
We were about five days early for peak cherry blossom viewing, but there were a few trees here and there that had bloomed. I’m actually glad we came when we did as it would have been mass chaos if the trees were at their peak. And although the wind was whippy as the family walked around the tidal basin in front of the Jefferson Memorial, the fresh air and clear blue skies were bliss. Spring…I heart you. :)
We visited a few yummy restaurants while out east, which I’ll fill you in on sometime soon, but first I want to share a treat I made for you last week before we left – Strawberry Shortcake Treat Bars, aka the easiest dessert known to man and Ben’s favorite one I’ve ever made. I thought it was quite the dramatic proclamation when he declared it, cheeks stuffed with gooey vanilla-strawberry flavored treat bars, but after swallowing he confirmed. Best. Thing. EVER!
Normally I wait until Fridays to share sweet treats, but these babies are too good to wait. Here’s the deal – 4 ingredients. 10 minutes. Gluten-free. Crispy, chewy-gooey treat bars that taste like Strawberry Shortcake. Need I say more? Make these for your office, your sweetie, or just for you. I won’t tell!
The base is Vanilla Chex which are not only gluten-free but also taste like cake. Freaking. CAKE! Mix in some melted marshmallows and freeze-dried strawberries and you’ve got yourself one heck of a kicked up treat bar. I’ve got about a million variations of these floating around in my head, so be prepared for some similar recipes in the months to come. In the meantime, make these treats TODAY!
As I mentioned, you’ll need just 4 ingredients for these Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Treat Bars. 1 box Vanilla Chex, 1 bag mini marshmallows, 1.2oz bag freeze-dried strawberries, and 4 Tablespoons butter. Easy!
Microwave the butter in a very (very!) large microwave-safe bowl until melted then add the mini marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for another 1 – 1-1/2 minutes then stir until the marshmallows are smooth.
Next add the entire box of vanilla chex and bag of freeze-dried strawberries. I got the strawberries from Trader Joe’s but if you don’t have one nearby just get 1 – 1-1/2oz freeze dried strawberries.
NOTE:Â freeze-dried strawberries are different than dried strawberries. I think dried fruit would work in this bar, but just know they are not the same!
Edit:Â Also look in the health food section of your grocery stores to find these under the “Just Tomatoes Etc” brand as “Just Strawberries”!
Mix until the chex are coated in marshmallow then scoop the mixture into a 9×13″ pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. Press into an even layer using the bottom of a glass or measuring dish that’s also been sprayed with nonstick spray.
Let the treat bars sit for 20-25 minutes to cool and firm up then cut into squares – however big or small you like ’em.
Thaz it…!!!
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Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Treat Bars
Description
Strawberry Shortcake No Bake Treat Bars have 4 ingredients, are gluten-free and take just 10 minutes to make!
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 10oz bag mini marshmallows
- 13.5oz box Vanilla Chex
- 1.2oz bag freeze-dried strawberries (anywhere from 1 - 1.5 ounces is good if you can't find this particular bag from Trader Joe's)*
Directions
- Spray a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick spray then set aside.
- Add butter to a very large microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 30 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows then stir to coat and microwave for 1 - 1-1/2 minutes. Stir until marshmallows are smooth then immediately add chex and freeze-dried strawberries. Mix until evenly coated then scoop into prepared baking dish and press into an even layer (I sprayed the bottom of  large measuring dish with nonstick spray then used that to press) then let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
Freeze-dried strawberries are not the same as dried strawberries!
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Sweet, sticky, chewy and with a taste of spring berries – you will devour each and every morsel of these treats. Enjoy!
Paige 04.07.2014
DC is one of my favorite cities!! Looks like you all had a fun trip! And those strawberry bars? Umm yes! I love vanilla chex! Can’t wait to make these!
Jen W. 04.07.2014
Not only did I just send this recipe to all my work friends, but I plan on making a whole pan just for me when I’m gestational diabetes free! Thanks for sharing and Happy Anniversary!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar 04.07.2014
Oh goodness, they sound delicious! I haven’t had the vanilla chex before but if they taste like cake, I need them pronto! Sounds like a fun trip – happy anniversary!
kate 04.07.2014
Anybody else remember those Strawberry Shortcake ice cream bars from childhood? They were my favorite! These remind me of those–can’t wait to try the recipe!
Jackie 04.07.2014
What a nice trip! Happy anniversary!
Tracy 04.07.2014
This is unrelated to this post but I noticed Lincoln was reading Goodnight Moon and I know you’re a fan of Sarah Jio’s books. Did you see her next book coming out in May is based on the origin of that favorite classic kids’ book? “Goodnight June”. Can’t wait to read it!!
Kristin 04.07.2014
Saweet!! Can’t wait!
Alexandra Aimee 04.07.2014
Oh my gosh, Lincolin is so cute right now! He’s at the best age. Also… Omg to these bars. Must make, ASAP.
Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo
Lindsay 04.07.2014
These look AMAZING!!! I too like to make gluten free Rice Chex treats, but combining Vanilla Chex and dried strawberries…delicious!!!! Can’t wait to try!!!
Jen 04.07.2014
Howdy from Atlanta! If you notice an inordinate amount of new traffic to your site from Atlanta, that’s just me stalking :) your amazing blog which I just found last week (yes, apparently I’ve been living under a rock)! I am always looking for simple recipes to use with my stepson since baking together is one of our bonding activities. I am going to test out this recipe with him in a few weeks. Thanks so much!
Kristin 04.07.2014
Haha! Have fun whipping these up together!
Jen S. 04.07.2014
I’m so freakin’ happy that you are GF now. I happened to come back to your site just when you announced it – I feel like it was fate!! :)
Becky 04.07.2014
I’m totally going to make these when we go to my in-laws for Easter. My father-in-law is gf and I feel like I always end up making something chocolate, but could switch things up a bit. Although, this might be good with a chocolate drizzle ;)
Lisa 04.07.2014
Isn’t EVERYTHING better with chocolate drizzle?? :D
Dena 04.07.2014
What perfect timing! I just bought that exact same (only different, since mine are raspberries) bag of freeze dried fruit from Trader Joe’s! And while they are good, they are too tart to eat straight from the bag, so this is perfect and I will making “raspberry shortcake bars” in the near future! Thanks Kristin for the great idea :)
Kristin 04.07.2014
We made them last night with those raspberries and they were awesome!!
Darien 04.13.2014
omg, we made them with the raspberries too and i can’t believe how good they are! can’t wait to try them with the freeze dried blueberries next!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} 04.07.2014
D.C is one of my favorite cities! Looks like you guys had a great time. The bars looks awesome and loving all the GF recipes!
Kelly Mitchem 04.07.2014
Love a good trip to DC, I haven’t been in a few years! Looks like you all had a great time! Happy Anniversary :)
Samantha @ The Faithful Runner 04.07.2014
These bars look AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie @cookinfanatic 04.07.2014
I was up in DC this past weekend too visiting my best friend, it was way too cold though for me haha! Crazy I left Richmond just 2 hours away in shorts and got up there to gloves weather… makes no sense?? But anyways, despite the freezing cold, we had a blast and ended up checking out a new-to-me restaurant called Lincoln as well as Union Market in Northeast which had some awesome shopping and food vendors(and which I’d highly recommend next time you are there!!) Glad you guys had a nice trip and these shortcake bars look deelish :)
Kristin 04.07.2014
It probably felt so nice because of the frigid temps we were coming from. Yesterday was peeeeerfect – 60s and no wind!
Stephanie @cookinfanatic 04.07.2014
Definitely fair enough, y’all have gotten your fair share of frigid temps & snow :) I think yesterday was alot nicer than Saturday – we went to the Nats game Saturday night and froze our butts off haha. Wish I had gone to the day game yesterday but I was already back in Richmond (wearing my shorts! ;) ) Looking forward to seeing what restaurants y’all went to, I have a feeling I’ll be in DC alot this year so looking forward to trying some new spots!!
Chicago Jogger 04.07.2014
Those bars look so delicious! Smart combo, I never would have thought to use freeze dried
strawberries that way. I’m always eyeing them at Trader Joes… I think it’s time to give them a try.
erin @hooleywithaz 04.07.2014
these look so good! i’ve been craving some kind of marshmallow cereal bar for weeks.
funny coincidence, my post today is about our trip to d.c. too! we must have just missed the full reflecting pool, it was still empty when we were there. looks like a wonderful trip!
Kristin 04.07.2014
Fun!! I’ll check it out. :)
Kristin 04.07.2014
I couldn’t figure out how to comment but it looked like the perfect trip before baby!! So cute!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 04.07.2014
Such a perfect weekend for y’all to be here in DC!! I can’t wait to make these treats for my hubby!
Lauren 04.07.2014
I love DC this time of year! I usually go down for the Cherry Blossom race but sadly, this is the second year in a row I had to miss. So glad you had a great trip and a wonderful weekend!