A favorite recipe gets a costume for Halloween
I’m all for cutting corners from my busy schedule when I can. Refrigerator cookie dough, bakery cupcakes or prepackaged party favors certainly come in handy. So when I saw these Halloween themed marshmallow treats at my market, I thought I’d grab them to give as Halloween party favors. Then I discovered they were $5.50 each, totaling over $100.00 for a party of 20 guests! Saving time is one thing, but wasting money on a Halloween treat that can just as easily be made with the kids is kind of silly in my book. So grab your favorite marshmallow krispy recipe and have some fun!
You’ll Need:
- Marshmallows
- Rice Krispies Cereal
- Butter
- White candy melts or almond bark (craft store)
- Orange candy melts
- Green nonpareils
- Yellow nonpareils
- Halloween cookie cutters
- Parchment or waxed paper
- Your favorite marshmallow krispy treat recipe
Directions:
- To achieve a thick marshmallow treat like the ones you see in this photo, grease and prepare a 9×13 inch pan. You may need more than one depending on the cookie cutter size. Look at your cookie cutters before determining the depth as well (we almost couldn’t cut ours all the way through).
- After following your recipe, press the warm marshmallow rice mixture firmly in the pan using a butter spatula.
- Let the bars set for several hours or even over night.
- Use your cookie cutters to cut the marshmallow treats into fun shapes.
To make the pumpkin:
- Lay out a sheet of parchment paper.
- Melt the orange candy melts in a microwavable bowl, following the directions on the package. Dip the front of the pumpkin treat into the orange melts, or you can spoon the melted candy on the front. Gently shake off excess. Chill and leave to harden.
- Repeat with a second coat of orange.
- Before the candy hardens, sprinkle green nonpareils on the top to make the stem of the pumpkin. Leave the cookies to harden or chill to expedite the process.
To make the candy corn:
- Lay out a sheet of parchment paper.
- Melt the white candy melts in a microwavable bowl, following the directions on the package. Dip the front of candy corn treat or you can spoon the melted candy on the front. Set it aside on parchment paper while you complete the step with the other cookies. Chill the cookies until the white candy melt has hardened.
- Repeat with another layer of white to achieve the smooth texture and chill to set.
- Melt the orange candy melts. Dip the bottom of the triangle treat into the orange
- Gently shake off excess and place it on the parchment paper.
- Before the orange begins to harden, sprinkle yellow nonpareils on the bottom third of the treat to complete the candy corn. Leave the cookies to harden or chill to expedite the process.
Once the treats are completely set, wrap them in plastic wrap or package them in clear plastic treat bags from the craft store.
Tip: I used a little more rice cereal than my recipe called for which made the mixture thicker, firmer and easier to cut.
Kit Bennett, the Editorial Director for Ganz Parent Club is a celebration and play expert who believes that sprinkles, pom-poms, pipe cleaners and wiggle eyes make the world a brighter place. She’s the founder of AmazingMoms.com and KidsParties 1-2-3 where she makes planning a party for kids as easy as 1,2,3! Her inspiration comes from her four children, two granddaughters and several nieces and nephews whom she loves BIG, BIG, BIG! Facebook | Twitter
