Description
Delight in these fun and festive Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats, perfect for fall celebrations or Halloween parties. These treats combine the classic marshmallow and crispy cereal base with orange gel coloring and pretzel stems to create adorable pumpkin shapes. Decorated with green candy leaves and vines, they’re both tasty and visually charming, easy to make in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 (10 oz) package mini marshmallows
- Orange gel food coloring, to desired color
Decorations
- 3 pretzel rods, ends broken into 2-inch pieces (6 pieces total)
- 6 mini green Airheads candies or green fondant
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Cereal Mix: Measure 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal and pour into a large bowl. In a 4-quart non-stick saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 3 tablespoons of salted butter carefully to avoid browning.
- Incorporate Marshmallows and Color: Add the entire 10 oz package of mini marshmallows to the melted butter. Stir continuously as the marshmallows begin to melt. Gradually add orange gel food coloring until the mixture reaches your preferred vibrant pumpkin orange color. Continue stirring until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Combine Cereal and Marshmallow Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat immediately. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the Rice Krispies cereal. Gently fold the cereal with a spatula until each piece is fully coated. Allow the mixture to cool slightly until it is comfortable enough to handle with your hands without getting burned.
- Shape the Pumpkin Treats: Lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Shape the coated cereal into balls roughly the size of a baseball. Insert one pretzel rod piece (about 2 inches) into the top center of each ball to serve as the pumpkin stem. Reshape the balls as needed to form a round pumpkin shape. Place shaped pumpkins on a plate or dish lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
- Create Leaves and Vines: Take the green mini Airheads or fondant and prepare the leaves. If using Airheads, cut a leaf shape from one side of the candy with clean scissors. Use the remaining candy piece to roll into a thin rope and twist it into a vine shape. If using fondant, shape leaves and vines by hand without cutting. Attach the candy leaves and vine decorations around the base of the pretzel stems on each pumpkin.
- Store and Serve: Once decorated, store the pumpkin treats in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Serve at room temperature and enjoy these delightful seasonal treats.
Notes
- Spraying hands with non-stick spray helps to prevent the sticky marshmallow mixture from adhering to your skin, making shaping easier.
- The orange gel food coloring allows for vibrant color without affecting the texture or flavor.
- Green Airheads or fondant both work well for creating decorative leaves and vines; fondant is easier to mold but Airheads adds a chewy texture.
- Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature; they are best eaten within 2 days for optimal freshness.
- For a different look, you can use candy eyes or edible markers to draw faces on the pumpkin treats.
