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Easy Halloween Rice Krispie Jack-O-Lantern Treats Recipe

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These easy Halloween Rice Krispie Jack-O-Lantern treats are simple, fun, and delicious. Made with just a few pantry ingredients, they are perfect for school parties, Halloween dessert tables, or a fun family activity.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 4 cups mini marshmallows (or 40 large marshmallows)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • Candy eyes
  • Candy corn or black licorice (for the mouth)
  • Green sour punch straws or green fruit leather (for the stem)

Instructions

  1. Prep your pan. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a couple of inches of overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper with a little butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Melt the butter. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Stir it occasionally so it doesn’t burn. You want it fully melted and just starting to bubble.
  3. Add the marshmallows. Pour in the 4 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir constantly with your wooden spoon or silicone spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add the vanilla and food coloring. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then, add your orange gel food coloring. Start with a small amount—about 1/4 teaspoon—and add more until you reach your desired shade of orange. Stir until the color is evenly distributed.
  5. Mix in the cereal. Pour the 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal into the pot. Gently fold the cereal into the marshmallow mixture until every piece is coated. Be careful not to crush the cereal too much.
  6. Press into the pan. Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking pan. Using a piece of parchment paper or wax paper (lightly greased), press the mixture down into an even, firm layer.
  7. Cool completely. Let the treats cool in the pan at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. They need to be fully set before you cut them. If you are in a hurry, you can pop them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  8. Cut into rounds. Once cooled, lift the block of treats out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Place it on a cutting board. Use a round cookie cutter (about 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter) to cut out circles. If you don’t have a round cutter, you can use a sharp knife to cut them into squares or rectangles.
  9. Shape the jack-o-lanterns. Gently roll each circle between your palms to form a smooth ball. Don’t squeeze too hard.
  10. Add the faces. Press two candy eyes into each ball. For the mouth, use a small piece of candy corn or black licorice. You can make a happy smile, a scary grin, or a surprised ‘O’ shape.
  11. Add the stem. Gently press a piece of green sour punch straw or a rolled piece of green fruit leather into the top of each ball to form the stem.
  12. Serve or store. Your Easy Halloween Rice Krispie Jack-O-Lantern Treats are ready to go! Serve them immediately or store them in an airtight container.

Notes

Don’t overheat the marshmallows or they will become hard. Use gel food coloring for best results. Grease your hands and tools to prevent sticking. Work quickly as the mixture sets up fast. Let treats cool completely before cutting. Make extra as they are popular.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween treats, Rice Krispie treats, jack-o-lantern, easy Halloween recipe, no-bake dessert, kid-friendly, party treats

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/easy-halloween-rice-krispie-jack-o-lantern-treats-recipe/