Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats
Chewy brown butter Rice Krispie bars are cut into rectangles, coated in green candy melts, and decorated with chocolate hair, candy eyes, and little scars to create adorable Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats. They are easy, no-bake Halloween treats perfect for parties, school events, or a fun family baking night.
Ingredients
Rice Krispie treats base:
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 package 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional but tasty
- Pinch of salt
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Frankenstein decorations:
- 10-12 oz green candy melts
- 2-4 oz yellow candy melts optional, to make dark green candy melts look brighter and warmer
- 1-1 oz white candy melts optional, to lighten the green further
- 4-6 oz chocolate candy melts or semisweet chocolate chips
- 24 small candy eyes
- 2-3 tsp vegetable oil or coconut oil, as needed to thin the candy melts
Instructions
- Prepare the pan. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to lift out the finished treats.
- Brown the butter. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring often, as the butter foams and froths. Once the foam subsides slightly, move some of it aside so you can see the bottom of the pot. When small brown flecks appear and the butter has a nutty aroma, remove the pot from the heat.
- Melt the marshmallows. Reduce the heat to low and add the mini marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Add the vanilla and salt. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt until combined.
- Add the cereal. Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until it is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Press the mixture into the pan. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Lightly grease your hands or a spatula, then gently press it into an even layer. Avoid packing it too firmly, which can make the finished treats hard.
- Cool and cut. Allow the treats to cool at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift them out of the pan, then cut the slab into 12 rectangles by making a 3-by-4 grid.
- Prepare the green candy coating. Place the green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. If the green is very dark, add a few yellow candy melts to give it a brighter, warmer color. You can also add a small amount of white candy melts if you would like to lighten it further.
- Melt the candy coating. Microwave the candy melts and 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable oil according to the package directions, stirring frequently, until melted. If the coating is too thick for dipping, stir in a small amount of vegetable oil until smooth and easy to work with.
- Coat the treats. Arrange the rectangles on parchment paper. Dip the flat side of each treat into the melted green coating, then place it coated-side up on the parchment. Use a small rubber spatula to spread and smooth the coating, if needed.
- Add the eyes. While the green coating is still wet, place two small candy eyes on each treat. Allow the coating to set until firm.
- Melt the chocolate. Place the chocolate candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl with a teaspoon or so of vegetable oil and microwave according to the package directions, stirring frequently. If needed, stir in a bit more vegetable oil until the chocolate is smooth and easy to pipe.
- Add the Frankenstein details. Transfer the melted chocolate to a piping bottle, piping bag, or small zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off. Pipe zigzag hair along the top of each face. Add a mouth and a few short intersecting lines to create Frankenstein scars. Gently smooth the chocolate with your piping tip or finger for the hair.
- Let the treats set. Allow the green coating and chocolate details to set completely before serving or storing the treats.