Candy corn rice krispies:
Ever since I became a Mom, I’m getting more into celebrating holidays with cute food. I can’t help it, but I was born for the preschool bake sale. Sign me up for anything monster-themed, Disney character-based, or anything that resembles candy, I love to make it! When I was searching for fun candy corn themed desserts to make with Camille, I knew it was all about the brightly colored layers. For years, I’ve successfully convinced Camille that these healthy rice krispies treats that are naturally sweetened were the real deal, but it was time to come clean with her. It was time for REAL MARSHMALLOWS! Needless to say, she loves the real version of rice krispies treats just as much. The brightly colored candy corn layers are just bonus. This recipe is made in an 8 or 9" cake pan, and you can slice it into 8 or 10 pieces of candy corn. If your’e giving them as gifts, I recommend wrapping them individually in treat bags. They’re also very cute served on a stick at a kids’ party, too! I used this 9" cake pan, but you can use an 8" pan, too. Truly, you could use any round pan, just be cognizant of the layers.
Baking Halloween treats with kids:
Cutesy food shaped like recognizable characters or in fun festive colors brings a smile to kids faces and to mine. Plus, I like to get kids in the kitchen baking with me, and they’re much more helpful when the recipes are simple and fast to make. When it comes to cooking with kids, instant gratification is the key to success. Often, I show my toddler Camille a photo of the final dish before we make it to pique her interest. I find that gets her excited and can often give her enough focus to follow through with the baking process. Often, Camille starts baking with me and then she spies her crayons across the room and wanders off. I don’t mind when she leaves me hanging in the kitchen, because then I can quickly wrap up and clean up. You other Moms know what I mean–kids are sweet, but they’re often a hot mess in the kitchen, heh. I often have to grin and pretend it doesn’t bother me when Camille flings flour out of the bowl while stirring. I know we’re creating memories in the kitchen, so I try to ignore it–you may be better at this than me, of course.
Candy corn rice krispies treats method:
I love that this recipe for candy corn rice krispies treats is made entirely in the microwave. And, I love that it uses one entire 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows. In order to measure the mini marshmallows for each layer, just pour them into a liquid measuring cup. No need to press the marhsmlloaws flat–just pour them until they reach the specified amount for each layer, don’t over-think it. Here’s a visual of what it looks like in the pan before you slice them up:
First, make the yellow layer in the microwave. I say this not only because it’s the first, outermost layer, but also because you can make the orange layer in the same bowl since orange is made of yellow and red food coloring. So, make the yellow layer first, and then there’s no need to clean out the bowl before making the orange layer. You absolutely must use a clean bowl for the white layer, though, sorry! Side note: the mummy cupcakes in the photo above are just my vegan chocolate cupcakes topped with vanilla buttercream from my mini vanilla cake for two. Camille used two mini M&Ms to make eye balls! I used this frosting tip that makes long, flat strips of buttercream to make it look mummy-like. Have a safe and happy Halloween, friends!
This recipe will use an entire 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows. Alter the food gel amounts to get the colors you prefer.
Wilton 12-Count Gel-Based Food Color Wilton Round 9" Cake Pan
