You'll Never Guess What Australia Calls Rice Krispies Cereal

Most Americans count Rice Krispies treats as a classic childhood delight to be enjoyed around the holidays, at birthday parties, and just because. Along with the iconic cereal that is integral to this recipe, Rice Krispies treats also include butter and marshmallow. These ingredients coalesce into an ooey, gooey masterpiece that most people can't get enough of. A similar treat is just as popular in Australia, just with a slightly different name and a few added ingredients.

In the land down under, Rice Krispies are actually called Kellogg's Rice Bubbles, so named for the distinctive shape and "pop" of the cereal. And like American Rice Krispies, Rice Bubbles are an essential ingredient in a beloved childhood classic: chocolate crackle. In addition to Rice Bubbles cereal, the recipe calls for sugar, coconut oil, and cocoa, which adds a nice chocolatey flavor to this crispy, crunchy snack. When it comes to desserts, chocolate crackle has established icon status in Australian culinary history, a status that it's held for a remarkably long time.

The very first chocolate crackles recipe can be traced back to an ad appearing in Australian Women's Weekly in 1937. The recipe in the ad includes Rice Bubbles and cocoa, as well as coconut (listed as cocoanut, an outdated spelling of the word), icing sugar (aka confectioner's sugar), and COPHA. Non-Australians are probably in the dark about what exactly COPHA is, but it's just the brand name of a type of shortening made from coconut oil.

Unilever, a British company that manufactures a wide range of consumer goods, was the brand behind COPHA. Unilever was also responsible for creating and publishing the original chocolate crackles recipe. Even though Rice Bubbles are an essential component of the dessert, the Unilever ad conspicuously left out the Kellogg's brand. As a result, Kellogg's successfully trademarked the name chocolate crackles in 1953 and developed their own recipe, albeit with key similarities to Unilever's original. Despite squabbles over trademarks and ownership, chocolate crackles remain a point of pride for Australians of all ages. It's also included in a pantheon of tasty treats.

But chocolate crackles aren't the only treat worth noting down under. Australia is home to many sweetly delicious snacks.

While best known for its adventure-loving people and intimidating wildlife (giant spiders, anyone?), Australia is also a snack-lover's haven. The country is home to a variety of tasty treats, which range from sweet to salty to savory. When it comes to sweet treats, Cherry Ripe is a type of candy bar that has the distinction of being the oldest in Australia. The interior of the candy bar consists of cherry and coconut, while the exterior is coated with delectable chocolate courtesy of Cadbury. Then there is Tim Tams, a cookie (or biscuit to native Australians) that offers a triple threat of chocolate. Tim Tams is also associated with a cultural phenomenon known as the Tim Tam slam, which entails biting off opposite corners of the cookie so it can be used as a straw to slurp up your coffee.

You may have noticed that Australia's most beloved treats share some similarities with popular American snack foods. Although the names might be a bit more whimsical and the ingredients a little more inventive, it's clear Americans and Australians are on the same page when it comes to snack time.