Halloween Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

Last night I had a debrief meeting with my lead team for the Fabric of Freedom Gala that happened a few weeks ago! It was a great excuse to try the cute pumpkin treats I had seen on pinterest and bring something a little special to say a final thank you to this incredible team of women!

In efforts to find step by step instructions, I finally landed on the official Kellogg Rice Krispies website. Their version of pumpkin recipe calls for a candy surprise in the middle, that I decided to leave out because I was too lazy to go back to the store.

They also called for a green gumdrop steam, but I had bought tootsie rolls instead and I think I like the contrast of colors better.

For the vines/leaves, I wanted to use a royal icing so it would harden, but didn't have enough powdered sugar to make it. I did have a can of store bought frosting that I dyed green and it worked pretty well!

Here are a few tips that may help if you decide to make them:
*When dying the marshmallow mix once melted, use about 8-10 drops of both yellow and red dye to get a vibrant orange. I started with only 4 of each and thought it was a great color until I added the Rice Krispies!
*Continually rebutter your hands to form the pumpkins. I had to add more butter after forming two pumpkins or my hands would get too sticky and start to pull them apart.
* Let the mix cool a little bit before you start to form a pumpkin. (30-60 seconds) If the Rice Krispie mix is too warm it won't hold it's shape. You don't have to worry about rushing through forming them all before they get too cool. It took me about 5 minutes for 10 pumpkins and the last one was just as easy to form as the first.
*I cut the tootsie rolls in half and stuck them on top of the formed pumpkins. Since the pumpkins were still a little warm, the tootsie roll stuck on easily and securely.

I am a firm believer that everything looks fancier in a clear bag with a tag, even a Rice Krispies treat! I don't know if it's the shine of the cellophane, or the crinkle sound it makes when you begin to open it that brings a flood of childhood memories back...but there is just something magical about sweets in a bag!

Because these treats were being given to my hardworking team, I wanted them to feel appreciated. And all the better with Halloween around that I had an opportunity to be a little creepy with my appreciation. Change up the words for a different audiences and you can be creepy with almost anyone!

"It's almost SCARY how much I love you!"  [family, kids, friends]

"It's almost SCARY how hot you are!" [Spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, secret crush]

"It's almost SCARY what a great teacher you are!" [Teacher appreciation]

"It's almost SCARY how much I enjoy working with you!" [Boss, manager, co-workers]

Try it! It was a huge hit that was so quick and easy to make!

Recipe modified from ricekrispies.com 

Makes about 10 pumpkins

INGREDIENTS:

*3 TBLS of butter or margarine

*1 10oz package (about 40) regular marshmallows

*6 cups rice krispies

*Orange and Green food coloring

*Tootsie Rolls (cut in half)

*Half can of vanilla frosting

DIRECTIONS:

-In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

-Immediately add in orange food coloring until desired color. [Keep in mind that when the WHITE rice krispies are added it will lighten up your orange color, so go add 1 to 2 more drops of orange coloring once reach the color you like]

-Add RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated. 

-With buttered hands, grab a handful of coated RICE KRISPIES and roll into ball. Set on wax paper to harden.

-Once pumpkins have been rolled into balls, stick Tootsie Roll half on top of warm ball and hold until stuck securely (about 5 seconds)

-Add green food coloring to vanilla frosting and with a #3 tip and decorating bag add green vines to top of pumpkin. 

Enjoy!