Puffed Rice Squares with Tahini and Honey

Puffed rice treats are popular as a quick snack, known mostly in its commercial version, which is overly sweet and far from healthy.
While the treats are quick and easy to make at home, unfortunately, too many of the homemade versions list ingredients such as sugar coated puffed rice, artificially flavored commercial marshmallows, corn syrup and other similar additions, that make them just as bad as the store-bought ones.
The version I have here is relatively healthier than most, and make use of all-natural ingredients. To make it, I’ve used sugar free puffed brown rice, which was  mixed with a thick paste made with raw Tahini (sesame paste), honey, fresh butter and a fairly small amount of sugar. The honey paired beautifully with the nuttiness of the Tahini paste, and the squares turned out quite irresistible. Try them and enjoy.

Notes:
* I’ve used Nature’s Path “Rice Puffs”, made with brown rice and no added sugar.
* Unlike the commercial versions, these squares will only keep their crispiness for about 2-3 days. For best results, keep them in the fridge until serving.

Makes: 25
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours

Ingredients:
5 cups sugar free puffed brown rice (see notes)
½ stick (55 grams) butter, soft
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup Tahini (sesame seeds paste)
1 tsp vanilla paste
¼ tsp salt

1. Line a 12”x8” (20.5 cm x 30 cm) baking pan with baking paper. Place the puffed rice in a large bowl.
2. In a small pot, mix the butter, sugar, honey, Tahini, vanilla and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, mixing, until the butter melts and the mixture is on the verge of boiling. Turn off the heat and mix to a thick smooth paste. Let cool slightly.

3. Pour the paste over the puffed rice, mixing gently with a spatula, so all the grains are covered with the paste. Transfer into the lined pan, and press the top gently, to level it.

4. Place in the fridge for 2 hours. Once chilled and set, cut into squares with a large knife.

5. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge. Best if served within 2-3 days.