Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

Confession: I have never made Rice Krispie Treats before.

I don't know why or how. I really don't.

It's kind of embarrassing. They are SO simple and delicious and easy to put together. So I've made french macaroons, one of the most temperamental baked good, but not these wonderful marshmallow cereal treats? Definitely embarrassing. Especially since they always taste so much better when they're homemade. And they were some of my favorite desserts at school (especially when they used cocoa rice krispies. or really any type of cereal. Yum.) and whenever I saw them I would always sneak out 4 for me and my best friend. He and I loved them.

Anyway. I guess I've never been challenged by them, is what I'm saying. But when I saw these pumpkin spice marshmallows at Walmart? I immediately bought 2 bags and thought either s'mores or rice krispie treats. And rice krispie treats won. Besides, look how cute those little guys are? Little pumpkin shaped pumpkin pie flavored marshmallows. I'm in love.

turns into:

Now let me tell you. These came together in no time at all. Though of course, in true Sara fashion, I was worried when the marshmallows wouldn't melt fast enough. I thought I was doing something wrong or that I couldn't use pumpkin flavored marshmallows - that I was messing it all up. Well, good news. I was just being ridiculous. They will melt and they will turn into a hot sticky mess but once you add it to the cereal? It's delicious.

See? Look at that deliciousness cooling off. Now, you could be original/normal/boring and leave the treats like that OR you could be like me and drizzle melted milk chocolate over half of it.

That's better. Well, I guess I would call it half drizzle/half globs of chocolate. But that's just semantics. (Is that even the right use of that word? Whatever. It is now.)

The pumpkin marshmallows and the pumpkin pie spice add a great flavor that you can definitely taste. It's not overwhelming but it's just enough pumpkin. I brought these in to work and they disappeared instantly. Especially the chocolate drizzled ones. Those just added a touch of sweetness that took these over the top. So, the way I see it, you have no excuse NOT to make these. Right?

Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

makes a 9x13 pan (12-16 treats, depending on size)

3 tablespoons butter
10 oz pumpkin spice marshmallows
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 cups rice krispie cereal

Grease or spray a 9x13x2 pan and set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low/medium-low heat. Add all the marshmallows. Stir until they are completely melted. (Note: This will take some time. Just keep stirring and it'll eventually happen.) Remove from heat.

In a large mixing bowl, add the Rice Krispies cereal. Pour the melted marshmallow over the cereal and using a large spatula coated in cooking spray, mix the two together. Stir until well coated.

Scoop the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing the mixture so it is even and reaches all the corners. Let cool.

Cut into desired shapes/sizes. Enjoy!

[source: adapted from RiceKrispies.com]