Rustic Caramel Marshmallow Treat Layer Cake

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As a kid, my home church always had a picnic during the summer. There was always a potluck and my mom always, always, always, brought marshmallow treats as our family’s contribution. Every year, she was always surprised that her marshmallow treats were always gone– the tray was picked clean, usually before my dad had a chance to grab one.

The thing is, marshmallow treats are delicious. They’re light and airy and still a little decadent and decidedly delicious. And they’re easy to make. Super easy when you need something to whip up for your family or to entertain guests.

But let’s up the ante, shall we? I recently created this treat for a grill-out on our balcony– I wanted to make the evening special after John had had a particularly busy day. It incorporates the rich flavor of Kraft Caramel Bits with the sweet, summery flavor of marshmallow treats, and the tangy bite of the best cream cheese frosting I’ve ever tasted.

Turning marshmallow treats into a layer cake is unexpected and a fun way to create a dessert centerpiece at a family get together or community potluck this summer. I’m seriously contemplating making this for John’s command picnic– I know this won’t be a duplicate recipe at the cookout!

Cream Cheese Frosting

You’ll need:

• 2 sticks of room-temperature butter (I used salted, but you can use unsalted if you prefer)
• 1 8-ounce package of Philadelphia cream cheese
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
• 4 cups of confectioner’s sugar

Directions:

1. Beat the 2 sticks of butter on medium speed in your mixer.
2. Once butter is creamy and airy, combine the package of Philadelphia cream cheese and vanilla.
3. When the mixture is thoroughly combined and there are no lumps of cream cheese, slowly add the confectioner’s sugar. If the icing is not stiff enough to your liking, you can add about 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar after adding 4 cups. Adding more than 4 1/2 cups of confectioner’s sugar will make the icing overly cloying.
4. Put icing in a air-tight container and refrigerate.

Marshmallow Treat Cake

You’ll need:

*Amounts are for each cake layer. Multiply for as many layers as you want to add to your cake.

• 3 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted; your choice!)
• 1 large package of Jet-Puffed Marshmallows
• 7 cups of puffed rice cereal
• 1/2 package of Kraft Caramel Bits

Directions:

1. Grease a circular cake pan and set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Once butter is melted, add the Jet-Puffed Marshmallows and stir regularly, taking care to make sure that mixture is not browning or burning.
4. After all of the marshmallows have melted and incorporate with the butter, add cereal and stir.
5. Add Kraft Caramel Bits to the marshmallow treats and stir until thoroughly combined.
6. Using a greased spatula, press the marshmallow treat mixture into cake pan until it is even. Chill in the freezer (this will make it easier for removal from the pan).
7. Repeat for as many layers as desired.

Creating the Cake

1. Using the greased spatula, gently pry the marshmallow treat layer out of the cake pan and place on a serving dish.
2. Divide the icing into equal parts for as many layers of marshmallow treats.
3. Spread icing on the top of the first layer and carefully drop the second marshmallow treat layer on top of it. Repeat.
4. Chill until serving. To cut, cut a chilled cake with a sharp knife.

All of these ingredients can be found at Walmart, including the Kraft products!

Want to find more grilling inspiration? Kraft is offering a free digital cookbook available for all serious and wannabe grillmasters and grillmistresses.

Check it out and tell me which recipes you’d include in your summer grilling activities!