In celebration of Vegan MoFo, I’m doing a month of themed dinner party ideas! For the beginning of this week, I’m continuing the holiday mash-up theme!
When I was a small child May first meant May Day. With construction paper in hand, I’d fold paper baskets, fill them with treats, and go to the doors of my closest friends and family members. I’d place a basket on the porch, knock on the door, and run away as quickly as I could before they answered. As fun as it was to hear the doorbell ring and go to the front porch only to find a basket where a guest was expected, it was even more fun to be in the giving position, running as fast as you could, so that your good deed wouldn’t be caught until it was revealed at the bottom of the basket. Inside of the basket, underneath the candies and sweets, there was a small note inside letting the recipient know who had gifted them a springtime treat.
I don’t hear about a lot of people celebrating with May baskets these days, but last year my best friend’s daughter brought me one. Looking at the item inside, it’s pretty clear she’s got me pegged on the kind of foods that get my gears going.
So for today’s continuation of a Holiday Mash-Up themed dinner party, May baskets are coming to the table. Made with crispy rice treats and filled with raspberries, your guests can finish off the dishes themselves!
I used small bowls as the basket molds, first coating the inside with a bit of canola oil and then shaping the still-warm crispy rice and marshmallow mixture inside. I used Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice cereal, which is also gluten-free. The marshmallows are from Sweet & Sara, and I tweaked their online recipe to adjust for the amount of marshmallows I had left after yesterday’s Thanksgiving Kebabs. I also opted to use canola oil instead of non-dairy butter, and there was no taste difference. These taste exactly like the rice crispy treats that you grew up eating, but with a wonderful vanilla flavor from the marshmallows.
Crispy Rice Baskets
Adapted from the Sweet & Sara website
Makes about 3 small baskets
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil + extra for oiling bowl molds
- 13 Sweet & Sara vanilla marshmallows
- 3 cups Nature’s Path organic Crispy Rice cereal
- Filling: (Any or all of the following) Raspberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, etc.
Lightly oil three very small bowls with canola oil and set aside. In a non-stick skillet, bring 1 Tablespoon canola oil to a medium heat and add the marshmallows. Stir constantly until the marshmallows have gotten melty in the pan, about five minutes. Put the Crispy Rice cereal in a large mixing bowl and add the melted marshmallows. Combine the mixture with a spoon. (Using your hands also works well. Feel free to oil them, if necessary, to stop from sticking.) Continue until the crispy rice and marshmallow mixture is totally combined, and then line the bowls with the mixture, pressing into the sides. Roll three small portions into handles and press them into the top of each basket. Refrigerate the baskets in their bowls for fifteen minutes. When ready to serve, carefully remove the baskets from their bowls and fill them with the filling of your choosing.
Just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the 30 Day Vegan Challenge giveaway! Enter here!
My grandmother and I used to leave May Day bouquets on the neighbors’ doorsteps–and I agree that the running away was always the most fun part.
How sweet! That’s such a lovely memory to have of your grandmother, and I’m sure it tickled your neighbors!
I’ve never ever heard of may day baskets! what a fun idea. Also, I love rice krispie treats so much, it’s crazy!
I love rice crispy treats too much, I’ve discovered! I hadn’t made them in a million years, and I had to send David off to work with them today! They were somewhat oddly shaped because of their former basket selves, but still tasty!
I’m not familiar with May Day baskets, it sounds like fun! I would love to receive a little basket of goodies on my doorstep. I can’t remember the last time I had rice krispie treats, they look so yummy!
It had been such a long time since I’d made them too. In fact, I think the last time I made them I wasn’t even vegetarian yet!
What a cute story. I’ve never celebrated May Day, but I think we should celebrate marshmallow basket day.
Absolutely! The world needs more marshmallow basket holidays!
I think the world would be a nicer place if more people celebrated May Day
Rice krispy treats used to be one of my favorite treats, and the baskets are adorable!
I think you’re right! Unlike so many overly commercialized holidays, May Day just involves some construction paper, a few candies, or a handful of flowers. For the most part, it’s just about giving someone else a nice, unexpected surprise!
what a lovely story! i never knew what may day was until just now. i love these baskets and the fact that they can carry little goodies. i’m now scheming for ways to utilize these little cuties.
When I was looking into it, May Day is celebrated in a variety of ways. Some of them are more political, similar to Labor Day, and it honors the people who worked to make 8 hour days standard. For other people, celebrating May Day is more lighthearted with May baskets and dances around the May pole. (When I was in kindergarten, the end of the school year was celebrated with a big May pole dance.) Good luck with your basket schemes! I’m sure whatever you choose will be delicious!
I made baskets for May Day when I was a kid, too. What happened to May Day? About five years ago, some kids from a new school in the neighborhood left everyone flowers on their door. It was thrilling to get a handmade basket and flowers. I think vegans should reclaim May Day and make it a vegan celebration.
Oh, what a lovely surprise! I’m all for reclaiming May Day! Let’s talk in April, and we’ll schedule a random act of kindness May first!
Cute idea! Love the holiday mash-up theme going on this week!
Thanks, Ashley! Aren’t holidays fun?
Flowers in paper baskets are nice — even avocados in baskets are nice. But crispy rice baskets are the best yet. That’s the kind of basket I want!
I’ll keep that in mind for May!
i want some of these cute rice baskets! my mom used to make rice balls and other shapes with puffed rice and jaggery syrup for our sweet tooth.
Oh, that sounds good too!
I have never heard of that May Day tradition! That’s so interesting.
These baskets looks so cute and yummy. I’ve been wanting to try Sweet & Sara’s marshmallows for awhile- I think I need to order them and some soy curls and try a bunch of new things at once!
David had never heard of May Day baskets either until he met me. It seems like it’s not a terribly widespread holiday.
This was my first time trying Sweet & Sara marshmallows too. In the past I’ve always gotten Dandies, but they don’t sell those locally. The Sweet & Sara ones are a good size and have a nice vanilla flavor to them. I saw that they also sell strawberry ones, which would be cool to sample. Absolutely try out Soy Curls! I’m kind of particular about the ways that I enjoy them. I don’t like it if they’re just rehydrated in a soup and kind of spongey, but when they have all of their liquid squeezed out and they’re somewhat crisp, I really enjoy them. I recommend starting with the Smoky Soy Curls from Vegan Diner & the courico tacos from Vegan Brunch.
Just ordered both!
Yay! I look forward to hearing about what you make! This must be the day for making MoFo-fueled purchases… Today I ordered sumac and amchur powder from the Spice Station (and my favorite smoked salt while I was placing an order anyway)!
I still haven’t bought vegan marshmallows, I really ought to, I’m sure my kids would love them. I’ve been making chocolate rice crispy treats instead which use almond butter to hold them together. It’s time to go traditional!
Yes, I saw that on your blog! Those sound mighty tasty too!