Rice Cereal Treats

• Prepare a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until fully melted in the butter. Stir in the red food coloring and almond extract.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the rice cereal. Add to the prepared dish and press into the pan as much as you can. Place the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes to cool.
• Turn the pan with the pressed rice cereal treats over onto a cutting board. Take your heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out as many hearts as you can ( I was able to get 18 hearts).
• There are 2 ways to melt the candy coating and both work great. The first way is to use a double boiler and slowly melt the chocolate. I have a nifty silicon double boiler bowl that I used, or you can use a glass bowl that fits on top of a saucepan without touching the water. The second way to melt the candy coating is in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Start with 1 minute and then move to 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the coating is fully melted. Once the coating has melted, add the vegetable oil and stir in. This helps to slightly thin out the coating for easier application.
• Depending on how many colors you are making, separate the coating into individual small bowls. Add the food coloring to each bowl and stir to combine. Using a small spoon, spread a layer of the coating on top of each heart. Place the hearts on a piece of wax paper to catch any drips.
• Working quickly, add sprinkles to the top of the heart while the coating is still soft. To create messages, wait for the coating to cool slightly, then press the letters into the top. Don't worry about being perfect, just have fun with it!