Description
This Monster Rice Krispies Treats recipe is a fun and festive giant Halloween-themed dessert perfect for parties and family gatherings. It features layers of classic Rice Krispies cereal treats combined with chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, and colorful food coloring to create an eye-catching monster design. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these treats combine chewy, crunchy, and creamy textures for a spooky sweet delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter
- 1 (10 ounce) package marshmallows (mini marshmallows work best)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or your favorite rice cereal)
Additional Layers & Toppings
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 1/2 cup pretzels, roughly crushed
- 1/4 cup candy corn (optional)
- Green food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Red food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Black food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Miniature marshmallows for decoration (optional)
- Candy eyeballs (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan generously with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter slowly to avoid burning.
- Melt Marshmallows: Add marshmallows to the melted butter, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes until smooth and fully melted.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Incorporate Cereal: Gently fold the Rice Krispies cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture until evenly coated.
- First Layer: Pour half of the coated cereal mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly using a spatula or clean hands.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips until smooth, then spread this melted chocolate evenly over the first layer of cereal treats.
- Peanut Butter Layer: Spread the peanut butter evenly over the melted chocolate layer to add flavor and moisture.
- Add Pretzels: Sprinkle the crushed pretzels over the peanut butter layer to add a salty crunch.
- Divide Remaining Mixture: Separate the remaining Rice Krispies treat mixture into three equal portions.
- Color Portions: Add green food coloring to one portion, red food coloring to another, and black food coloring to the last portion, kneading each thoroughly to distribute the color evenly.
- Green Layer: Spread the green-colored mixture evenly over the pretzel layer in the pan.
- Create Mouth: Use the red-colored mixture to sculpt a mouth shape on the green layer for the monster’s face.
- Create Eyes: Apply the black-colored mixture to create eyes for the monster face.
- Add Candy Corn: Optionally, place candy corn around the edges of the treat for a festive touch.
- Decorate: Optionally, add miniature marshmallows and candy eyeballs to decorate the monster further.
- Press Layers: Gently press down on the top layer to compact all elements together without flattening the decorations.
- Cool: Allow the treat to cool completely at room temperature, letting it set firmly.
- Serve: Once set, cut the treat into squares and serve your spooky Halloween monster Rice Krispies treats.
Notes
- Use mini marshmallows if possible as they melt more evenly, but regular marshmallows will work too.
- If the mixture cools too much while coloring, warm it slightly to make shaping easier.
- Press decorations gently to avoid crushing the layers underneath.
- You can substitute with gluten-free rice cereal for a gluten-free version.
- Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.
