Have You Been Naughty or Nice What Will you get on St. Nicholas Day

I simply love the old rumor of getting coal in stockings. Here in Southern Illinois where coal was and is becoming king again it seems like it could have happened very easily. All naughty individuals would recieve coal instead of presents. This year that is possible with this recipe that shares a way to give coal that they will be surprised about. This gag gift is one that even children can get in the act of. Made of nuggets of rice cereal treats can be shared, presented, given and eaten by both children and grown ups. 

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated each year on December 6th. On this day the children will all place their shoes and socks by the fire in hopes of being presented goodies. Many times the goodies would include clementines, gold coins, a Christmas ornament, and small toys. If they had not been good that year then the Krampus would bring coal for them instead of presents. 

Christmas Coal

1/4 cup butter
10.5 ounce bag mini marshmallows
1/8-1 tsp. black icing color**
4 cups rice cereal

In a large pot melt butter and add marshmallows. Stir until melted, add black color and mix in well. Add rice cereal and stir until blended. Drop by small spoonfuls onto parchment paper. Be sure they are in odd shapes. Cool. Place 3 in a small cellophane bag and tie with ribbon. **Be sure you are using Wilton’s Black Icing Color (not black icing/gel in the tube)- click the link above to see that it is the gel form in a tiny canister. It may also say concentrated paste. This can be found in the cake decorating section of Michael’s.

Include a tag saying…

“I heard you have been naughty not nice,
And Santa even checked his list twice.
So all the way from the cold North Pole
all you’re getting is a bag of coal.”
Poem from makestuff.com

While developing this recipe, I first thought to use cocoa crispies thinking the brown rice cereal would work better. Dark blackish-brown lumps are never good. Can you say “reindeer patty?” Smirk.