Rice Krispies Treat Pumpkins

This recipe is a re-post as I move things over from my website: OurArmyFamily.com. Original publish date was October 12, 2010. 

Prepare Kelloggs Rice Krispies Treats according to Kellogg’s directions, EXCEPT once your marshmallows have melted add orange food coloring. (The recipe is listed below as a courtesy.)

Once the Rice Krispies treats are completely combined, leave them to cool for about a half hour.

While the Rice Krispies treats are cooling, you can form your stem and vines. I used 3 flavored tootsie rolls (one green, one yellow, and one vanilla) to create the color of the stem. Soften each set of 3 in the microwave for 15 seconds. It is best to work with one set at a time in order to have the tootsie rolls the right consistency for shaping. Mix the 3 together to blend the colors. Once the tootsie roll has the blended look that you like, split the ball in half.

• Form half into the shape of a stem…to add more texture, I used a knife to make ridges on the sides.
• Use the other half of the tootsie rolls to make the vines.  (1)Use your fingertips to work the “vine” half into a snake. (2) Coil the vine around a chopstick to make it curl (this can also be done by hand). Let the vine stay on the chopsticks for a couple of minutes to re-harden so that it keeps its shape when you take it off. (3) Carefully take the vine off of the chopstick and cut into two halves.

After about a half hour, the Rice Krispies treats should be at a stage where they are able to be formed into a ball. Create a ball about the size of your fist. It does not need to be perfectly round as pumpkins are not completely round. Use your finger to make an indentation at the top for placing your stem into.  Place the stem in the top and the ends to the two vine halves at the base of the stem. Reform the Rice Krispies around the stem area to help keep the stem and vines in place.

**Recommendation- cover your workspace with waxed paper for a non-stick surface.

**Note- these treats fall under my “tried and true” for sending overseas.

Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats:

3 Tablespoons butter

1- 10 oz. package of regular marshmallows or 4  cups miniature marshmellows

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

• Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat
• Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted
• Add Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal and stir until well coated.