How to Make Pumpkin Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

an up close photo of pumpkin shaped halloween rice krispie treats on a baking sheet

How to Make Pumpkin Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

Get into the holiday spirit with these Halloween Rice Krispie Treats! These no-bake treats are simple, adorable, and absolutely delicious. Perfect for a party, class treat, or even Thanksgiving.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Setting Time1

Total Time1 20

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: halloween dessert recipe

Servings: pumpkin rice krispie treats

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup pumpkin puree unsweetened
1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
OPTIONAL: orange food coloring I used this natural food coloring and added a packet of pink and yellow.
10 oz mini marshmallows divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 cup rice krispies cereal this one is gluten free
20 pretzel sticks
20 green M&Ms or pumpkin seeds

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven or saucepan, melt butter over medium low heat.
Once melted, add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and stir until combined. If using, add few drops of orange food coloring for a more vibrant shade. You'll want it to look a bit darker than you want the final product to be since the color will lighten with the addition of marshmallows and rice krispies cereal.
Set aside 1 cup of the mini marshmallows and add the remaining marshmallows into the saucepan and stir until completely melted.
Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract.
Add rice krispies cereal and the remaining cup of marshmallows. Stir to gently combine.
Let this mixture cool slightly until it's cool enough to handle with your hands. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly wet your hands with water to keep from sticking, then scoop about 1/4 cup (I used a large cookie scoop). Shape into a ball with your hands (make sure not to pack too tightly), then place in a single layer on the parchment line baking sheet without touching each other.
Insert a pretzel stick into the center and reshape if needed. Add green M&Ms next to the pretzel sticks for the "leaf".
Cool for an hour to set, then enjoy!

Video

Notes

You can use orange food coloring for a more vibrant color. I used this natural food coloring and used a packet of pink and yellow to create the orange shade. You'll want the color to be much darker at first so it lightens up once you add the marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal.
I like to scoop the mixture with a large cookie scoop, then wet my hands lightly before shaping it into a ball. Some people like to grease their hands but I find that water works much better.
You can also make these homemade Rice Krispie treats in the microwave. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and marshmallows in 30 second intervals, watching carefully so they don’t burn.
Store for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, but they will firm up a bit.

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