Spooky Sweetness: Halloween Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats with a Twist

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Halloween is the perfect time to embrace sweet and playful traditions. Instead of the usual candies, I love to craft a batch of these Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats that double as festive decor and tasty bites. Bright orange, slightly crunchy, with a hint of autumn spice, they bring a cozy, nostalgic feeling to any celebration.

The real magic is in how simple ingredients become charming pumpkin-shaped treats. Kids adore them, and adults marvel at their cute appearance. Making these is an annual ritual that adds a dash of chaos and a heap of joy to our spooky season.

Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

These Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats are made by melting marshmallows and butter, then stirring in crispy rice cereal and warm spices to form a sticky mixture. The mixture is shaped into pumpkin shapes, resulting in bright orange, slightly crunchy treats with a festive appearance and a hint of autumn flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups mini marshmallows
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cups rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional, for warm flavor
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg optional, for added autumn spice
  • Orange food coloring orange food coloring to give the treats their bright pumpkin color

Equipment

  • Large saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Mixing bowl
  • Orange food coloring
  • Mini cookie scoop or hands for shaping

Method
 

  1. Butter a large mixing bowl and set aside. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, until it begins to bubble softly with a fragrant aroma.
  2. Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth, creating a glossy mixture.
  3. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, mixing until evenly incorporated.
  4. Divide a few drops of orange food coloring into the marshmallow mixture and stir well to achieve a vibrant pumpkin-orange hue.
  5. Pour the colored marshmallow mixture into the prepared mixing bowl, then add the rice cereal gradually, folding gently with a spatula until evenly coated and sticky.
  6. While still warm, scoop out portions of the mixture and shape them into small pumpkin-like spheres or use a cookie scoop for consistency.
  7. Place the shaped treats onto a sheet of parchment paper and use your hands or a mini cookie scoop to gently form into rounded pumpkin shapes.
  8. Let the treats cool and set at room temperature for about 15 minutes so they firm up slightly.
  9. Optionally, add small stems or leaves made from green fondant or icing for added decoration.
  10. Serve the pumpkin-shaped rice Krispie treats at room temperature, enjoying their crunchy exterior and soft, sticky interior with autumnal flavors.
As the leaves turn and the air crisps, these treats remind me of childhood Halloweens and the delight of creating something both delicious and whimsical. They’re quick to whip up and even faster to disappear from the dessert table.

This Halloween, I encourage everyone to embrace the playful side of baking. These Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats are a small project with a big impact—perfect for sharing with friends and family, or even just for indulging your own sweet tooth in the spirit of the season.

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