Rice Krispies Monster Cake
35 min
|
easy
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 25 min | 10 min | 35 min |
Introduction
This no-bake Rice Krispies monster cake is gooey, buttery, and loaded with marshmallow goodness in every bite.
Bright orange cereal treats, silly candy eyeballs, and easy black gel smiles make it perfect for a fun Halloween centerpiece.
It comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients, so you can skip the oven and still wow your crowd.
Ingredients (16 servings)
Ingredients for the Orange Rice Krispies Mixture (Full Batch):
Ingredients for Decorating:
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How to Make Rice Krispies Monster Cake
-
Prep the pan and tools
Spray a 9x13 inch pan or round cake pan lightly with nonstick spray.
Optional: Line the bottom with a parchment sheet for easy lifting later.
Spray a silicone spatula and a large mixing bowl with nonstick spray.
-
Melt the butter and salt
Place a large pot on the stove over low heat.
Add the butter and salt to the pot.
Let the butter melt slowly, stirring every few seconds.
-
Melt in the marshmallows
Pour the mini marshmallows into the pot once the butter is fully melted.
Add the marshmallow creme if you are using it.
Stir constantly over low heat until everything looks smooth and creamy.
-
Tint the mixture orange
Turn off the heat but leave the pot on the warm burner.
Squeeze a small amount of orange gel food coloring into the marshmallow mixture.
Stir well and check the color before adding more.
-
Combine with the cereal
Pour the crispy rice cereal into the greased mixing bowl.
Carefully scrape the warm orange marshmallow mixture over the cereal.
Use the greased spatula to fold the cereal and marshmallow together until every piece is coated.
-
Shape the monster cake
Spray your clean hands lightly with nonstick spray so the mixture does not stick.
Tip the coated cereal into the prepared pan, pressing it gently into an even layer.
To make a monster shape, mound more cereal toward the center and round the edges slightly.
-
Add eyes and smiles
While the mixture is still slightly warm, press the candy eyeballs gently into the top.
Space the eyes however you like to give your monster a funny or spooky personality.
Use the black decorating gel to draw simple smiles, frowns, or zigzag mouths under the eyes.
-
Set, slice, and store
Let the monster cake sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
For neat slices, run a buttered knife around the edges, then cut squares or wedges.
Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to two days.
Substitutions
- Unsalted butter -> salted butter
- You can use salted butter and simply leave out the added salt; the cake will still taste sweet and buttery.
- Marshmallow creme -> extra mini marshmallows
- Skip the marshmallow creme and add about 2 more cups of mini marshmallows for a slightly firmer, still gooey texture.
- Orange gel food coloring -> natural orange coloring
- Use a natural orange powder like turmeric or carrot powder, starting with a pinch, for a soft peachy monster color. For a fun flavor twist, use orange-flavored drink mix powder for bold color and citrusy taste.
Tips
- Keep the heat low
- High heat makes marshmallows cook too hot, which turns the treats hard; keep the burner as low as possible.
- Grease tools and hands well
- Coat your spatula, bowl, and hands with nonstick spray so the sticky mixture moves easily and shapes without tearing.
- Measure cereal loosely
- Scoop cereal with a dry measuring cup without packing it down, so the ratio stays gooey and not dry.
- Shape while the mixture is warm
- Form the monster shape as soon as the mixture is in the pan; it becomes harder to mold as it cools.
- Plan your monster face
- Before pressing on the eyes, lightly mark mouth placement with a butter knife so you do not overcrowd features.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 211 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 1 | g |
| Total Fat | 4 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- Why did my Rice Krispies monster cake turn out hard instead of soft and chewy?
- Hard treats usually mean the marshmallows were cooked too long or over high heat, or the mixture was packed tightly. Next time, keep the heat low, stop heating as soon as everything melts, and press the mixture very gently.
- What should I do if the mixture is too sticky to press into the pan?
- If it feels too sticky, let it cool for a minute, then spray your hands and spatula again with nonstick spray. You can also sprinkle in up to 1 extra cup of cereal and fold it in gently.
- Can I make this monster cake ahead of time for a party?
- Yes, you can make it one day ahead; keep it covered at room temperature so it stays soft. Wait to add the decorating gel smiles until the day you serve, so the lines stay sharp and neat.
- Can I double this recipe for a bigger crowd?
- You can double everything and press the mixture into a large rimmed baking sheet or two 9x13 pans. Work quickly, since a bigger batch cools and firms up faster in the bowl.
- How do I cut clean pieces without crushing the candy eyes?
- Let the cake firm up fully, then press the knife straight down between eyes instead of sawing back and forth. You can also chill the pan briefly for 10 minutes to help the slices hold their shape.
Serving Suggestions
This bright orange monster cake brings playful, no-bake fun to Halloween parties, school events, or easy weekend treats.
For extra charm, tuck candy corn horns along the top and pair slices with cold milk or vanilla ice cream.
Try making a few different monsters by changing eye placement and mouth shapes so every slice feels special.
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