Puffed Wheat Squares
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These chocolatey and chewy Puffed Wheat Squares bring together the satisfying crunch of cereal and the irresistible, gooey goodness of a cocoa-infused sweet syrup. Made with just six simple ingredients, this quick and easy, no-bake sweet treat never goes out of style!
Sweet Simplicity in Every Bite with Puffed Wheat Squares
While camping throughout Canada this summer, I stumbled upon these delicious puffed wheat squares in every little shop and café we visited, and oh, the nostalgia it brought! It seemed every charming spot had its own twist on this classic Canadian treat, a staple from the prairies renowned for their expansive wheat fields.
It’s a delightful concoction of airy puffed wheat cereal lovingly bound by a sweet and buttery cocoa-infused syrup, creating a scrumptious chocolatey delight with the ultimate chewy-to-crispy texture balance. No ovens needed, just a simple concoction of delectable chocolate syrup draped over the puffed wheat, and voila, you let it set! If you’ve never had these, you’re in for such a sweet treat!
Why You’ll Love These Puffed Wheat Squares
- No-Bake Recipe! These chocolate treats are super easy! You don’t have to worry about preheating the oven, monitoring temperatures, or any complicated baking techniques.
- Yummy Retro Treat! The delightful combination of airy, crisp cereal and the sweetness of a chocolate syrup, has made these squares a beloved classic for generations.
- Family Favorite! Perfect for afterschool snacks, bake sales, and potlucks, everyone loves these! Plus it’s a great no-bake recipe for a fun day in the kitchen with the family.
- Puffed Wheat Cereal: This simple cereal forms the base of these treats and provides a satisfying crunch. Use puffed rice for a gluten-free twist.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the squares a subtle buttery richness.
- Light Corn Syrup: Adds sweetness and a sticky consistency to bind the squares. You can use golden syrup as a substitute if needed.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides another layer of sweetness and texture. You can also use brown sugar, but it will create a different taste and may result in a chewier texture than white sugar.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Brings the rich chocolate flavor to the squares by coming together with the corn syrup and sugar to make a chocolate syrup.
- Vanilla Extract: Contributes a subtle aromatic element. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Similar to Rice Krispie treats, making this Canadian classic is super simple! In just a matter of minutes, you’ll transform puffed wheat cereal into chewy, gooey squares of chocolatey bliss.
To start, measure 8 cups of puffed wheat cereal into a large bowl and set it aside. You’ll need the cereal as soon as the chocolate syrup is prepared.
First, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium-sized heavy saucepan. Next, add the corn syrup, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder, while constantly stirring until the mixture comes to a boil. Then let it boil for 2 minutes without stirring.
Now, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture may bubble up so you need to be careful not to burn yourself.
Once the hot syrup is ready, pour it over the puffed wheat cereal. Then stir the mixture together using a large spoon or spatula until you’ve coated all the cereal with the syrup. A silicon rubber spatula is perfect for this step.
Now, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. The squares will stick to the pan if you skip this step. Then transfer the cereal mixture to the pan and press it firmly into the pan in an even layer.
Once you’ve pressed the mixture into the pan, let it cool completely for approximately 60 minutes or until it reaches room temperature. Then cut it into squares and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I add to the squares?
Pretty much anything you like! Some popular additions include chopped nuts, dried fruits, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Just be sure not to overload them, as it can affect the overall texture and stickiness of the squares.
Why are my puffed wheat squares falling apart?
Sometimes, puffed wheat squares may fall apart when you don’t heat the syrup mixture to the right consistency or when you fail to mix it thoroughly with the cereal. Also, pressing the mixture firmly into the pan and allowing it to cool completely at room temperature can help prevent them from falling apart.
Are puffed wheat squares Canadian?
Yes, puffed wheat squares are indeed Canadian in origin. They have deep roots in the prairie provinces of Canada, where wheat farming has been a significant industry.
Expert Tips
- Measure the ingredients accurately. This no-bake recipe is all about the perfect balance of chewy to crisp. If you have too much of one ingredient or not enough of another it can lead to squares that are too dry or too gooey.
- Use fresh puffed wheat cereal. It should be crisp and not stale to achieve the desired texture of the squares.
- Combine the syrup and cereal quickly. Once the syrup is ready, mix it with the puffed wheat cereal right away before it becomes too sticky.
- Press the mixture firmly. When transferring the mixture into the baking pan, press it down firmly and evenly to ensure that the squares hold their shape when you cut them.
Storage
You can store puffed wheat squares in an airtight container for about a week. It’s also possible to store leftovers in the freezer for up to 2 months. To do this, separate the treats with parchment paper before freezing, and then allow them to thaw at room temperature before serving.
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Puffed Wheat Squares
Ingredients
- 8 cups puffed wheat cereal
- ½ cup butter (unsalted)
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, measure out 8 cups of puffed wheat cereal and set it aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the corn syrup, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder. Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Let it boil for about 2 minutes without stirring.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Be careful as the mixture may bubble up.
- Immediately pour the hot syrup over the puffed wheat cereal. Stir with a large spoon until all the puffed wheat is coated with the syrup.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. Transfer the puffed wheat mixture to the pan and press down firmly and evenly.
- Allow the puffed wheat squares to cool completely at room temperature, about 60 minutes. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure that the puffed wheat is well-coated with the syrup mixture for evenly flavored squares.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to avoid crumbly squares.
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Store the squares in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Customize the recipe by adding in mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit if desired.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Retro is right, Jo! I’d love to make these, but haven’t been able to find puffed wheat in the stores for YEARS.
Where did YOU find it, please, and thanks.
Oh that’s weird, I found it in my local grocery store. It’s a small store called Buy Low.
Thanks, Jo! We’ve got Superstore, Walmart Supercentre, Save-on-Foods, Safeway, and a Co-op. Guess I’ll have to bite the bullet and try Safeway, where I never shop, due to their exorbitant prices. Their sale prices are often higher than the other stores regular prices!
Sure wish they would have let us keep our Sobey’s instead, when the buyout occurred.