Puffed Wheat Squares (no cocoa)
Today’s recipe is puffed wheat squares! This particular recipe does not have cocoa, so it’s great for those rare non-chocolate fans out there. It doesn’t take long to whip up a batch. You can certainly have them ready for your kids when they get home from school as they make for a great after school snack that the kids will love. These are also great to make in the summertime because you don’t have to bake them in the oven.
If you live in Canada you probably go camping at least once a year, especially in the summer when the kids are off school. I find puffed wheat squares the perfect camping snack to bring along. With all the fishing, boating, swimming, and building campfires it’s great just to sit down by the fire and bite into one of these sweet squares.
Who invented Puffed Wheat Squares?
In 1913, Maritimer Alfred James Russell settled in Red Deer, Alberta and opened a candy store. He sold popular local treats, one of them being the ever-famous puffed wheat square (Source). However, the original squares used molasses and this recipe uses a combination of brown sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter, and honey for its soft, chewy, and delicious flavour.
What is Puffed Wheat?
Puffed Wheat is prepared by heating wheat grains under pressure and then rapidly releasing the pressure. Essentially, exploding the grain when the superheated steam in the grain expands (Source).
Instructions
First things first- melt 1/3 cup butter or margarine into a large saucepan over medium heat. Once completely melted add 1/2 cup golden corn syrup, 1 cup packed golden brown sugar, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Stir and cook until the mixture begins to bubble then promptly remove from heat.
Why are my Puffed Wheat Squares Hard?
Sometimes you can get hard puffed wheat squares that are tough on your teeth. This can happen if you overboil your above mixture. As soon as the mixture starts to boil remove from heat and you will have a soft and chewy texture rather than hard.
Add 6 cups puffed wheat to the syrup mixture and stir to evenly coat. Lightly press into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish
And there you have it- yummy puffed wheat squares everyone will adore.
Puffed Wheat Squares
Chewy, sweet squares that are simple and quick to make.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup butter or margarine
- ½ cup corn syrup golden
- 1 cup brown sugar golden
- 2 tbsp peanut butter smooth
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp honey
- 6 cups wheat puffs
Instructions
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Melt butter or margarine in large saucepan over medium heat. Add corn syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, honey and vanilla.
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When this syrup begins to bubble remove from heat (do not over boil). Add puffed wheat and mix well.
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Lightly press into buttered 9×13 baking dish. Let cool before cutting into squares.
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