Shaggy Dogs

Shaggy Dogs are a tradition at my husband's family's Christmas. I'd never heard of them until I met him and I can't find them on the internet (everything is on the internet, they probably just have a different name). The kids love them, though, and they remind us of the wonderful women who have made them in the past.

First, gather your supplies.

Here I have large marshmallows, rice cereal, butter, sweetened condensed milk, caramels and a helper. The proportions are most important for the milk, caramels and butter - the cereal and marshmallows are mostly an estimate.

In a double boiler, combine butter, caramels (unwrapped) and milk. You can use a glass bowl in a pan of water like I did here, or you can use a traditional double boiler like my husband does because he's afraid the bowl will break. I like the glass bowl because I can see the water below better and I have not yet broken a glass bowl doing this. I have better ways to break glass bowls.

When using a helper, if they disappear you need to check on them occasionally. Here my helper has helped himself to his brother's birthday cards I had in a bag and then fell asleep on the floor. I'm sure he's comfortable, he loves to use the dog as a pillow. I'm so glad he's not allergic.

After checking on the helper, while the caramels were melting (which isn't as instant as I'd like), I made a station for dipping. I have a potholder for the pan of caramel, a pie plate with cereal and a foil lined cookie sheet with marshmallows lined up on. I replaced the pie plate with a deep dish pie plate after I started making them as the regular pie plate wasn't deep enough to keep the cereal in very well. Also, the marshmallows will take up more space on the cookie after they're dipped.

The rest is pretty simple, use a skewer, fondue stick, fork or you could try a toothpick to dip the marshmallow in the caramel, then coat with cereal. If the caramel is too hot, the cereal will fall off. Using a fork to remove them from the skewer will help to keep your fingers cleaner. When you're done you're supposed to chill them for about 1/2 hour.

Oh, good. Another helper has arrived.

They keep in an airtight container for maybe a week, then they get kind of soggy.

Shaggy Dogs

14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup butter
14 ounce caramels, unwrapped
16 ounce large marshmallows (may need more)
10 ounce Rice Krispies

Line a cookie sheet with foil. Mix milk butter and caramels in double boiler until smooth. Remove from heat.

With grill skewers, fork or fondue stick, dip marshmallows in caramel mixture then roll in Rice Krispies. Place on foiled lined pan.

Chill 30 minutes, remove from pan and store in an airtight container.

Source: family recipe