Pumpkin Rice Krispies

On to the next pumpkin treat! This time...Pumpkin Rice Krispie treats. I had pinned this recipe awhile ago and since I was going to a get together I figured these would be perfect to bring. Here is the link to the original recipe...
http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-pumpkin-2-159672

I changed it up a bit because the reviews stated they came out soggy. I also wanted them to look like pumpkins.

What you need:
1. Pumpkin puree- 1/4 cup
2. Pumpkin pie spice- 1TBSP
3. Vanilla extract- 1 tsp
4. Cinnamon- 1/2 TBSP
5. Marshmallows- 40 large or one bag of minis
6. Rice Krispie cereal- 6 cups
7. Butter- 3 TBSP
8. Candy corn or tootsie rolls (for stem)
9. Paper towels

First things first...YOU NEED TO GET THE MOISTURE OUT OF THE PUMPKIN PUREE!!

To do this, place a bunch of paper towels on a plate. Put your 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree onto paper towels and start patting it. This takes awhile and it takes a lot of paper towels to drain it all. I started with 3 paper towels each time and transferred it to new ones once soaked.

This is when I first put it on the paper towel.

 

 

These are after I was done...you will be able to pick it up after it was all drained. Looks a little like play-doh.

 

After all the moisture is out, melt the butter in a large pot.

Add the pumpkin to melted butter.

Stir until heated. It will be a little chunky.

Add marshmallows and stir until melted.

 

Once all marshmallows are melted, add the spices and vanilla extract. Stir until mixed well .







 

Time to add the cereal! I add 2 cups at a time because mixing dry cereal to sticky marshmallows takes some elbow grease.

 



After all the cereal and marshmallows are mixed, spray a cookie sheet with PAM. This is where is gets super sticky...and kind of fun. :)

*If you want traditional bars: spray a 9X13 pan, put treats in and you are done. The next steps are how to make them into pumpkin shapes.

 

For pumpkin shapes: spray your hands with PAM so they don't stick to you. Roll into balls. You can make them whatever size you want. Mine were a little bigger than golf ball size. After you roll, stick your finger on the top to make a little hole for the stem.

 

Add the stem using candy corn or a tootsie roll.

 

 

Put them on the cookie sheet to settle. then you can transfer on a cute plate, cupcake holders, baggies, etc.

 

Done! The whole process took about an hour and they look so cute.