Looking for a fun and easy treat to bring a little festive cheer to your Halloween or Thanksgiving celebrations? These Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats are not only adorable but also simple to make!
3 pretzel rods, broken into 2-inch pieces (yielding 6 pieces)
6 mini green Airheads or green fondant*
Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions:
Measure out the Rice Krispies cereal into a large bowl.
In a non-stick saucepan or pot (about 4-quart), melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Once the butter is melted, add the marshmallows and stir constantly.
As the marshmallows begin to melt, add the orange gel food coloring to achieve your desired pumpkin color.
Stir the marshmallows until completely melted, then remove the pot from heat.
Immediately pour the Rice Krispies cereal into the pot, gently folding with a spatula to evenly coat the cereal with the marshmallow mixture.
Allow the mixture to cool slightly until it's cool enough to handle with your hands.
Lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, then form the Rice Krispie mixture into balls about the size of a baseball.
Insert one piece of the pretzel rod into the center of each ball to resemble a pumpkin stem. Gently reshape the treat into a pumpkin if needed.
Transfer the treats to a plate or dish sprayed lightly with cooking spray.
For the leaf and vine:
Cut a leaf shape from one side of the Airhead candy using clean scissors.
Use the remaining portion of the candy to form a thin rope and twist it into a vine shape (alternatively, you can shape the fondant directly without cutting).
Place the leaf and vine on each pumpkin treat, positioning them next to the pretzel rod to complete the pumpkin look.
Repeat with the remaining candies.
Store the treats in an airtight container.
Notes:
For a kid-friendly option, use Airheads as the candy topping, as kids typically enjoy the flavor.
For a more adult-friendly version, consider making a small batch of homemade green fondant (you can use your preferred fondant recipe) and tint it green for a more refined taste.