Description
These Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats are a festive and colorful twist on the classic no-bake dessert. Perfect for Halloween or any fall celebration, these treats feature three distinct layers – yellow, orange, and white – mimicking the iconic candy corn. Quick, easy, and fun to make, they’re a delightful treat for kids and adults alike!
Ingredients
- 6 cups (160 g) Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 cups (400 g) mini marshmallows (divided)
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter (divided)
- Yellow gel food coloring
- Orange gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 cup candy corn (optional, for decoration)
- Non-stick spray or butter (for greasing the pan)
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, for easy removal of the treats.
Step 2: Yellow Layer: In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 3 1/3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in a few drops of yellow gel food coloring until you achieve a vibrant yellow color.
Step 3: Mix Yellow Layer with Cereal: Add 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the yellow marshmallow mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until all the cereal is evenly coated.
Step 4: Press Yellow Layer into Pan: Immediately transfer the yellow Rice Krispies mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a greased spatula, the back of a spoon, or a piece of wax paper to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.
Step 5: Orange Layer: In the same saucepan (no need to wash it), melt another 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 3 1/3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Stir in orange gel food coloring until smooth and the desired orange color is achieved.
Step 6: Mix Orange Layer with Cereal: Add 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the orange marshmallow mixture. Stir gently until all the cereal is evenly coated.
Step 7: Add Orange Layer to Pan: Carefully spread the orange layer evenly over the yellow layer in the baking dish. Use a greased spatula or wax paper to gently press the orange mixture into place.
Step 8: White Layer: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining 3 1/3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. At this stage, if desired, stir in the vanilla extract
Step 9: Mix White Layer with Cereal: Add the remaining 2 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the melted white marshmallow mixture. Stir until all the cereal is well-coated.
Step 10: Top with White Layer: Press the white layer evenly over the orange layer in the baking dish. Use a greased spatula or wax paper to press the white mixture into a compact and even layer.
Step 11: Decorate (Optional): While the top layer is still slightly sticky, gently press candy corn pieces into the top of the Rice Krispies treats for a decorative touch. Arrange them in a pattern or scatter them randomly.
Step 12: Cool and Set: Allow the Rice Krispies treats to cool completely at room temperature. This will usually take about 30-45 minutes, or until the treats are firm to the touch.
Step 13: Cut into Shapes: Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the Rice Krispies treats into triangles to resemble candy corn, or cut into regular squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: The layered colors make it perfect for Halloween and fall.
- Easy to Make: No baking required, making it a great recipe for kids to help with.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the colors and decorations to suit your taste.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone loves a good Rice Krispies treat!
- Great for Parties: Ideal for serving at parties and gatherings due to ease and speed.
Presentation Suggestions
- Candy Corn Arrangement: Arrange the cut triangles on a platter in a candy corn pattern for a visually appealing display.
- Individual Wraps: Wrap individual treats in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbon for party favors.
- Festive Platter: Combine with other Halloween treats like cookies, brownies, and fruit skewers on a large platter for a festive dessert spread.
- Elevated Serving: Place each treat on a small dessert plate with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream for an elevated dessert.
Tips
- Don’t Overcook Marshmallows: Overcooked marshmallows will result in hard, brittle treats. Melt them slowly and stir constantly.
- Grease Everything: Lightly grease your pan, spatula, and hands to prevent sticking.
- Fresh Marshmallows: Use fresh marshmallows for the best texture. Stale marshmallows can make the treats tough.
- Even Layers: To ensure the layers are even, use a greased measuring cup to scoop and press the mixtures.
- Cool Completely: Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting to prevent them from being too sticky and messy.
- Vanilla Extract: Adding the vanilla extract to the white mixture gives it the perfect amount of flavor.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, approximate)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 90mg
Conclusion
These Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats are a delightful way to celebrate the flavors and colors of fall. With their easy preparation and festive appearance, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy the fun of making and sharing these sweet, colorful treats!
Q&A
Q1: Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
- A: Yes, you can use regular-sized marshmallows, but you’ll need to measure them accurately. About 10 regular marshmallows are equivalent to 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Make sure to melt them slowly and evenly.
Q2: What can I use if I don’t have gel food coloring?
- A: If you don’t have gel food coloring, you can use liquid food coloring, but you may need to use more to achieve the desired color. Gel food coloring is more concentrated, so it provides a more vibrant color with less liquid, which is important to avoid making the mixture too wet.
Q3: How do I prevent the Rice Krispie treats from getting too hard?
- A: The key is not to overcook the marshmallows. Melt them over low heat and stir constantly until just melted. Also, avoid pressing the cereal mixture too firmly into the pan, as this can make the treats dense and hard. Be gentle!
Q4: Can I add other ingredients to these treats?
- A: Absolutely! Feel free to mix in other candies, such as M&Ms, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. Just add them to the cereal mixture before pressing it into the pan. Be mindful of overfilling the cereal mixture and having it come together.
Q5: How long will these Rice Krispies treats stay fresh?
- A: These Rice Krispies treats are best enjoyed within 2-3 days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness. After that, they may start to become stale. However, if properly sealed and stored, they can last for up to a week.
