Bewitchingly Fun Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins Recipe

Crafting adorable rice krispie treat pumpkins brings whimsy to your autumn dessert lineup.

Kids absolutely adore these festive orange-hued sweets shaped like miniature pumpkins.

Orange food coloring and creative molding transform classic marshmallow squares into charming seasonal delights.

Small hands love helping press and shape each delectable treat into perfect rounded forms.

Pretzel stems add realistic touches that make these confections pop with personality.

Halloween parties or fall gatherings become extra special when you present these playful orange snacks.

Sculpting these delightful treats promises sweet memories and giggles with your favorite little helpers.

What’s Fun About Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

• Quick and Easy Treat: Whip up these adorable pumpkin-shaped Rice Krispie treats in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy bakers who want a fun and festive dessert.
• Colorful Creativity: Customize the orange hue by mixing yellow and red food coloring, allowing you to create the perfect pumpkin shade with minimal effort.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating: Engage children in the fun process of adding Mini Rolo stems and green M&M leaves, turning treat-making into a delightful family activity.
• Seasonal Crowd-Pleaser: Delight guests at fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or autumn-themed celebrations with these charming and delicious pumpkin-inspired treats.

What You’ll Need for Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

• Rice Krispies: Crispy rice cereal perfect for making sweet treats.
• Marshmallows: Soft, sweet pillows that create a sticky binding for the recipe.
• Butter: Creamy ingredient that adds richness and helps melt marshmallows.

• Mini Rolo, Green M&M: Cute toppings that transform Rice Krispie balls into adorable pumpkins.

• Yellow Food Coloring, Red Food Coloring: Helps create a warm, pumpkin-like orange shade.
• Cooking Oil or Butter: Prevents sticky hands while shaping the treats.
• Parchment Paper: Provides a clean surface for cooling and setting the pumpkin treats.

Easy Instructions for Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

Step 1: Melt the Butter

Grab a large pot and gently melt the butter over low heat, allowing it to transform into a smooth, golden liquid.

Step 2: Create Marshmallow Magic

Add marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until they completely dissolve and blend into a creamy mixture.

Step 3: Develop Pumpkin Color

• Yellow drops
• Red drops

Blend carefully, adding drops gradually until you achieve a vibrant orange shade that resembles a perfect pumpkin.

Step 4: Mix in Crispy Goodness

Pour Rice Krispies into the colored marshmallow mixture and stir thoroughly, ensuring every cereal piece gets coated with the sweet mixture.

Step 5: Shape Adorable Pumpkins

• Coat with cooking oil or butter
• Roll mixture into small round balls
• Place each ball on parchment paper
• Reapply oil/butter between each ball to prevent sticking

Step 6: Create Pumpkin Details

• Press a Mini Rolo into the top of each ball as a stem
• Add a green M&M beside the stem to represent a leaf

Pro Tip: If treats cool before decorating, use a marker or apple corer to create an indent for the chocolate stem.

Step 7: Let Treats Set

Allow pumpkin-shaped treats to cool completely until they become firm and hold their shape.

Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkin Tips

• Use unsalted butter for better control of sweetness and precise flavor balance in your Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins.
• Add food coloring gradually and mix thoroughly to achieve a vibrant, consistent orange shade without streaks or uneven color.
• Generously coat hands with cooking oil or butter before shaping to prevent sticky mixture from clinging and ensure smooth, round pumpkin shapes.
• Press Mini Rolos and green M&Ms while treats are still warm for easy, seamless decoration and best adhesion.
• Let pumpkins cool completely on parchment paper to maintain their perfect spherical shape and allow decorations to set firmly.

How to Keep Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins Fresh

• Store Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 3 days. Keeps treats fresh and prevents sticking.
• Keep treats covered at room temperature for 2 days maximum. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas to maintain shape and texture.
• Wrap each pumpkin individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Do not microwave, as treats will become hard and lose soft texture. Let sit at room temperature to restore original soft consistency.

What to Serve with Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

• Festive Fall Flavor Companions: Pumpkin Spice Partner
• Pair these Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins with a warm, creamy pumpkin spice latte that echoes the seasonal orange tone and complements the sweet marshmallow base.
• Cozy Beverage Boost: Spiced Apple Cider
• Serve alongside a steaming mug of spiced apple cider, whose warm cinnamon and clove notes beautifully enhance the treat's caramel and chocolate undertones.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Late Harvest Riesling
• Match with a chilled late harvest Riesling, whose gentle sweetness and subtle fruit notes create a harmonious balance with the rich, buttery Rice Krispie texture.
• Friendly Garnish Companion: Candied Pecans
• Accompany the pumpkin treats with a small bowl of candied pecans, adding a delightful crunch and nutty complexity that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Creative Styles for Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins

• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Rice Krispies: Replace standard Rice Krispies with gluten-free rice cereal, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
• Vegan Autumn Treats: Swap butter for coconut oil or vegan margarine, use marshmallow fluff made from aquafaba, and select vegan chocolate alternatives like dark chocolate buttons for stems.
• Low-Sugar Option: Utilize sugar-free marshmallows and dark chocolate with minimal added sugars, perfect for diabetic-friendly or health-conscious individuals.
• Allergen-Friendly Version: Substitute Rice Krispies with crispy brown rice cereal, use sunflower seed butter instead of traditional butter, and select nut-free chocolate options for those with allergies.

FAQs

• Why do I need to coat my hands with oil or butter when forming the balls?

Coating your hands prevents the sticky marshmallow mixture from clinging to your skin, making it easier to shape the pumpkins smoothly and preventing a messy cleanup.

• Can I use different candies for the stem and leaf?

Yes, you can substitute Mini Rolos with Rolo Minis, chocolate kisses, or pretzel stems, and use green candy-coated chocolates or fondant for the leaf.

• How do I achieve the perfect orange color?

Add yellow food coloring first, then gradually mix in red food coloring, one drop at a time, until you reach your desired shade of orange. Start with fewer drops and build up the color slowly.

• What if my Rice Krispie mixture becomes too cool to shape?

Gently reheat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, to restore its malleability and make it easier to form into pumpkin shapes.

Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Seasonal Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins bring autumn’s sweetness to classic marshmallow desserts, creating adorable orange-hued treats perfect for fall gatherings. Halloween parties and family celebrations will delight in these charming, festive confections you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 bag large marshmallows (approximately 40 marshmallows)
• 6 cups Rice Krispies
• 1/4 cup (56 grams) butter

Decorative Ingredients:

• Red liquid food coloring
• Yellow liquid food coloring
• Mini Rolos
• Green M&Ms

Preparation Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) cooking oil or melted butter (for preventing sticking)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot and melt butter thoroughly over low, gentle heat.
2. Gradually incorporate marshmallows, stirring continuously until they completely dissolve and integrate with the melted butter.
3. Carefully remove pot from heat source and introduce food coloring. Add yellow drops first, then incrementally introduce red, blending meticulously between each addition until achieving a rich, warm orange hue.
4. Fold Rice Krispies into the colored marshmallow mixture, ensuring uniform coating of each cereal piece.
5. Liberally coat hands with cooking oil or butter to prevent sticking. Gently shape the mixture into rounded spheres, placing each delicately on parchment paper.
6. Reapply oil or butter between forming each pumpkin to maintain smooth surfaces.
7. While pumpkin shapes remain warm and pliable, delicately nestle a Mini Rolo into the top center as a stem. Position a green M&M adjacent to create a leaf accent.
8. If pumpkins cool before decoration, use a marker end or apple corer to create a small indentation for the chocolate stem.
9. Allow treats to set and firm completely at room temperature before serving or storing.

Notes

• Ensure butter and marshmallows are melted slowly to prevent burning and maintain smooth texture.
• Use precise food coloring technique by adding drops gradually to achieve perfect pumpkin-orange shade without overwhelming the mixture.
• Keep hands generously coated with oil or butter while shaping to prevent sticky mixture from clinging and create smooth, round pumpkin shapes.
• Work quickly while mixture is warm to easily embed Rolo stems and M&M leaves, using a tool to create indent if treats cool too fast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg