Estimated time:
At least 1/2 hour
(requires cooling time; pop in fridge if you are in a hurry! ;-)

Number of servings:
approx. 24 squares

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
5-6 c. Dry Cereal (commonly, Rice)

10 oz. marshmallows (4 c. mini, or 40 regular-sized)

3-4 Tbsp. margarine or butter

Directions:
Lightly grease pan (13"x9"x2").

Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. (Microwave: in Large micro-safe bowl, heat butter/margarine and marshmallows on HIGH for up to 3 minutes, stirring midway thru, and stirring again until smooth).

Add the Cereal. Stir until well coated.

Spread mixture evenly in the pan. When cool, cut into 2 inch squares.

Other suggestions and comments:
While plain Crispy Rice is the most commonly used cereal, you can try the same amount of Other cereals to see how ya like 'em. In summer, when the kids R home and eating Anything that Isn't Nailed Down, experimentation should come easily ;-)

Most 'experimental' cereal bars will disappear Quickly if you don't reveal your secret (use of Leftovers). If any particular combo is a Dud, you just shrug and say, "there are little children starving in _______" and that will surely be the truth...

The Cocoa-flavored rice cereal will make a chocolate flavored bar (sweeter than the un-sugared rice). Any sort of corn or rice-based dry cereal should render an edible product. Oaty-O's type stuff, too.

Y'know those cereals the kids pestered you to buy, but lost interest in? Mix up some o' those Leftovers into Bars, and watch 'em disappear. Hey...a cup or 2 of Froot Loops should add some Color to the basic Rice Bar ;-)

Stale Marshmallows: don't go there...you will be sorry!
however:

**If you think Cereal (or crackers or pretzels) have gone Stale, try reviving 'em B4 pitching them out. Easy!! Microwave for a minute (or 2), in a basket or bowl lined w/a paper towel. Let 'em cool a bit and see: you might find the Crunch restored enough for renewed edibility. Such items cost more (by weight) than ground beef, y'know...

I decided to add this El Basic recipe to the page because: lots of people buy cereals 'in bulk' now (by the pound, or in Huge Bags). If you count on The Recipe being on a bag or box, it's not always there, or it just doesn't sound like The Way Momma Always Made It...hey, just Go For It!

I've found myself with partial bags of marshmallows (both mini and regular), thus needing to use a mixture of Both, so it helps to know that 10 big marshmallows is about a cup. (It ain't rocket science, or world peace, but it feeds kids...)

Some people follow recipes to the Letter; mommabear sez "you can add as much rice cereal as you can get to stick together, for more Mileage!! ;-) When I make Crispy Rice bars for Band parties, I use approx. half of a 15 oz. box of cereal per batch, and I don't even use a measuring cup (just eyeball the inside of the box). The bars are less gooey with more rice, and cut more neatly. We make 2 batches (for 40 kids).

I line a disposable pan with a piece of waxed paper, sprayed w/nonstick spray. Press the first batch in there; cool and cut. Lift it out; press a 2nd batch into the pan. Cool and cut. Lay the First Batch back in the pan, on top of the second! Snap on the lid or put foil on top; good to go!

There is always one child that can't/won't/shouldn't eat chocolate or nuts, and these bars always disappear. My jr. high daughter has a slight crush on a boy who does not like chocolate, so...I've made these sooooo many times!!!

The cereal box can also be fashioned into a Disposable Pan; tape the ends shut with parcel tape, and cut the Front off the box. Line w/waxed paper or foil.