Make a festive treat for fall gatherings or Halloween. They are quick and easy to make and could be a fun activity for the whole family.
6 c. Rice Krispie cereal
3 T. butter
10 oz. marshmallows
red and yellow food coloring (for making the orange color)
12 Tootsie Rolls, cut into halves
1 green Fruit Roll-up (you'll only be able to find the blue/green combo)
non-stick cooking spray or Crisco, for greasing hands
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat; add marshmallows; stir constantly until melted; remove from heat. Add about 4 drops of red food coloring and 2 drop of yellow food coloring, adding until there is a nice bright orange color. Mix in Rice Krispies cereal.
Grease hands with non-stick cooking spray or Crisco. Using your hands, form small balls into pumpkin shapes.
Cut Tootsie Rolls into halves; force one into each pumpkin WHILE warm. Cut small leaf shapes from the green portion of the Fruit Roll Ups; place on the side of the Tootsie Rolls.
Makes about 48.
*Tip: You may want to add a few tablespoons of corn syrup to the recipe and let the mixture cool a little before starting to form the pumpkins, and then press them really tightly to keep them together. As the mixture continues to cool, it gets much easier. When finished, give each of the now-room-temperature pumpkins a good final squeeze.