Ingredients

• 1  cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1/4  cup light-colored corn syrup
• 2  tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3  cups crisp rice cereal
•   Frosting (optional)
• 1/2  teaspoon butter or margarine

Directions

Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Grease the waxed paper with the 1/2 teaspoon butter or margarine. Set aside.

Put the chocolate pieces, corn syrup, and the 2 tablespoons butter or margarine in a heavy medium saucepan. Put pan on burner. Turn burner to low heat. Cook until chocolate and butter are melted, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon. Turn off burner. Remove pan from burner. Or, put chocolate pieces, corn syrup, and butter or margarine in a 1-1/2-quart microwave-safe casserole. Microwave, uncovered, on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute or until chocolate and butter are melted, stirring once.

Add the rice cereal to the melted chocolate mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until the cereal is evenly coated with chocolate.

Turn the chocolate-coated cereal out onto the prepared cookie sheet. Pat it into a 12x6-inch rectangle. Chill about 20 minutes or until slightly firm.

Cut cereal mixture into heart shapes with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Decorate with frosting, if you like. Chill until firm; wrap each heart in plastic wrap. Chill until serving time. Makes 8 or 9 three-inch hearts.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare as directed and chill up to 2 days.