Print

Easy Halloween Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins in 20 Minutes

Halloween Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins - featured image
Print Recipe

These quick and adorable Halloween Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins are made in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. Perfect for classroom parties, trunk-or-treat events, or a fun activity with the kids.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus extra for greasing)
  • 1 package (10 oz) marshmallows
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pretzel sticks (broken into 1-inch pieces)
  • Green candy melts or green frosting (optional)
  • Small pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prep your workspace: Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper on your counter. Lightly butter your hands and a silicone spatula. Set aside pretzel sticks and a small bowl of water.
  2. Melt the butter: In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter. Swirl occasionally until fully melted but not browned, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the marshmallows: Pour in the entire bag of marshmallows and stir constantly with a buttered spatula over medium-low heat until completely smooth and silky, about 4-5 minutes.
  4. Add the vanilla and salt: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
  5. Add the food coloring: Add about 8-10 drops of orange gel food coloring and stir until evenly distributed. The color should be a bright, vibrant pumpkin orange.
  6. Fold in the cereal: Pour the 6 cups of Rice Krispies into the pot and fold gently until all cereal is coated, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to crush the cereal.
  7. Let it cool slightly: Let the mixture sit in the pot for 2-3 minutes until cool enough to handle but still warm.
  8. Shape the pumpkins: Dip your hands in water. Scoop about 1/4 cup of mixture, roll into a ball, then gently pinch the top and bottom to create a pumpkin shape. Place on parchment paper. Repeat until all mixture is used (about 12-14 pumpkins).
  9. Add the stems: While still warm, press a piece of pretzel stick into the top center of each pumpkin. Optionally, dip the pretzel in melted green candy melts before inserting.
  10. Let them set: Allow the pumpkins to cool completely at room temperature, about 15-20 minutes, until firm.

Notes

Don’t overheat the marshmallows or they’ll become hard. Butter your spatula and hands to prevent sticking. Work quickly as the mixture stiffens after 10-12 minutes. Use wet hands for shaping. For uniform pumpkins, use a 1/4-cup scoop.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, Rice Krispie treats, pumpkins, no-bake, easy, kid-friendly, fall, festive

Find it online: https://forkmila.com/easy-halloween-rice-krispie-treat-pumpkins-in-20-minutes/