1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Leaf's Aztec Bars
48 jumbo marshmallows
1 stick of butter
8 cups of corn flakes
1 bag of special dark chocolate chips
1 ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
½ teaspoon of ginger
½ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper

Begin by greasing a rubber scraper and 13X 9 pan using 1 tablespoon of the butter. It is best to also measure spices early as the window between re-emulsification of the sugar and gelatin in the marshmallows, and the point at which the sugar will form a brittle structure upon cooling is brief (we’ve all had brittle rice krispy treats).
Pour 8 cups of corn flakes into a large mixing bowl, and top with a layer of chocolate chips. Do not mix – when the molten fats, proteins, and sugars are added later, we want them to melt the chocolate on contact. Do NOT add chocolate to the marshmallow, or a ball of sinister (but delicious) spiced chocolate taffy will ensue. (some mistakes aren’t as depressing as others ;)
Place remaining butter into a saucepan and allow to half melt over medium heat. Do not allow the butter to brown. Pour marshmallows into butter, and raise the temperature to high heat – stirring rapidly (just as though you were making plain old cereal bars). As soon as the mix is mostly liquid (okay…colloidal, but who is counting?) pour in the spices and stir as though you are attempting a one-armed-helicopter takeoff. The reason for this is that we don’t want to overcook the sugar, or scorch the spices. SO, as soon as the spices are in and the mix reaches a fully melted stage, IMMEDIATELY pour the mix onto the chocolate, and begin mixing.
Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed (the chocolate will be mostly melted – though still a little chunky in places) press the material into the pan, and even it by pressing the top with a sheet of waxed paper to level the bars, compress them for cutting, and shine the chocolate.
It sounds like a lot of fuss for something that should be easy, but chocolate can be temperamental. It is possible to not do things EXACTLY the way I’ve written them, but I have determined these steps by a long line of edible errors.
Enjoy!