In just over two weeks, Halloween will be here in all its wonder. Which is a lot more exciting if you’re like me and don’t actually have kids to take care. See, I get to be the fun relative who does crafts with the kids and takes them trick-or-treating. Props to you parents out there!
Here’s another Halloween-themed activity for you to do with the kids to keep them preoccupied. Ahem, I mean to get them into the spirit…
I was playing around with marshmallows the other day. But playing around, I mean I stuck marshmallows on chopsticks and slowly roasted it in my kitchen while peeling away each toasted layer. I knew I wanted to make my next Halloween treat with marshmallows, but what? Ghost pops? Mummies on a stick? Rice crispy treats! Now just what design should I do? Pumpkins? Spiders? Bats? Monsters! Well got the what settled, now onto the how. How should I construct it? Using what materials to design? See, my coworker told me that when he does a kitchen activity with his son, it helps to have multiple easy steps so the kids always have something to do. For me, I’m enlisting the help of the boys of the house. Basically, I needed something simple and can withstand the impatience of boys who want to eat the decorations more than actually decorating. In just a few steps, these adorable cartoon-looking Frankenstein’s monster treats were made.
INGREDIENTS:
For rice crispy treats:
1/2 box rice crispy cereal
1 bag regular marshmallows
¼ cup coconut oil
2 Tbsp green tea matcha powder
For decorations:
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chip, melted**
20 toothpicks (or pretzel sticks if you want a completely edible treat)
20 regular marshmallows, whole
5 regular marshmallows, sliced into 4 circular slices each
**I melted my own chocolate chips because I had them in my cabinet. A friend (hey, Dam How!) suggested that there's a chocolate drizzle sold in stores specifically to make a hardened chocolate layer over ice cream. Hershey's has a chocolate shell topping in a squeeze bottle.
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a medium stock pot over low-medium heat, combine the coconut oil and marshmallow until melted.
Stir in green tea matcha powder into the marshmallow until well combined. Be patient, you do not want to burn your marshmallow by turning up the heat too high.
Remove the pot from the heat once marshmallow is completely melted. Pour in the rice crispy cereal. Stir until combined, careful not to crush the rice crispy cereal.
In a 9x5 lined tin, spread rice crispy mixture evenly. Set aside and allow to cool.
Once cooled, remove rice crispy and cut into 12 pieces.
Using the toothpicks, attach the whole marshmallows to two sides of each cut piece for the ears.
Dip one open side of the crispy treat into the melted chocolate (for the hair). Submerge both marshmallow "ears" into the chocolate.
Place two slices of marshmallows on the open face for the eyes. I've found that the sticky side of the marshmallow stays on the crispy treat better. Once on, use a small spoon or toothpick to drip chocolate onto the marshmallow slices to make "pupils."
Allow to cool before sharing with others or eat immediately for a chocolatey mess.