Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a soft and chewy, not hard and dense, Rice Krispie treat?

The secret is to not press the mixture too firmly when you are shaping it. It is a natural instinct to really pack it down, but this is what creates a hard and dense treat. You just want to use your greased hands to gently press the mixture until it holds its shape. The second secret is to use fresh marshmallows , as they will melt into a much softer and gooier consistency.

Q2: What is the best way to keep the super-sticky marshmallow mixture from sticking to my hands?

The non-negotiable secret is to grease your hands well ! Use a generous amount of a neutral-flavored vegetable oil, a nonstick cooking spray, or even some softened butter to coat your hands (or your food-safe gloves) before you begin to handle and shape the warm, sticky mixture.

Q3: Can I make this ahead of time for a Halloween party?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead party dessert! You can prepare the entire Witch's Hat and store it, well-covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days before your party.

Q4: How do I serve and cut a large, crispy treat sculpture like this one?

The best way to serve this is to present the entire, beautiful hat as the centerpiece of your dessert table. When you are ready to serve, simply use a large, sharp, serrated knife to cut it into wedges or squares, just like you would with a regular sheet of crispy rice treats.

Q5: What is edible gold powder, and where can I find it?

Edible gold powder, also known as luster dust, is a fine, decorative powder that is used in baking and candy-making to give a beautiful, metallic sheen to your creations. You can find it in the baking or cake decorating aisle of most major craft stores , or you can easily find a wide variety of it from retailers online.

Crispy Treat Witch's Hat (The Ultimate Halloween Centerpiece!)

Crispy Treat Witch’s Hat (The Ultimate Halloween Centerpiece!)

A large, sculptural, no-bake dessert that creates an impressive ‘Witch’s Hat’ entirely out of crispy rice treats, perfect as a centerpiece for a Halloween party. The main hat, including the brim and the tall cone, is molded from a mixture of chocolate-flavored crispy rice cereal and melted marshmallows. The hat is then decorated with a green-colored ‘hatband’ and a gold-dusted ‘buckle,’ which are also made from a separate batch of plain crispy rice treats.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
Four 10-ounce packages marshmallows
Two 15.5-ounce boxes chocolate-flavored rice cereal
Dash of cocoa powder (optional)
Vegetable oil, for oiling hands
One 12-ounce box plain rice cereal
Green gel food coloring
Edible gold powder

Instructions

Make the Hat: Melt 9 tablespoons of the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add 3 packages of marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
Stir in the chocolate-flavored rice cereal until well coated. Add a dash of cocoa powder if you want a deeper color.
Grease a large piece of parchment paper. With oiled hands, press about a quarter of the chocolate cereal mixture onto the parchment to create a 10-inch flat circle for the hat’s brim.
Mold the remaining chocolate cereal mixture into a cone with a 6-inch-wide base. Set the cone on top of the hat brim and shape bends into it to make it look like a realistic witch’s hat.
Make the Decorations: Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Add the remaining package of marshmallows and stir until melted. Stir in the plain rice cereal until well coated.
Reserve 1/2 cup of this plain cereal mixture in a small greased bowl.
For the Hatband: Add a few drops of green gel food coloring to the rest of the plain cereal mixture in the saucepan and mix well until the color is even. Shape this green mixture into a 3-inch-wide band to wrap around the base of the hat’s cone.
For the Buckle: Dust the reserved 1/2 cup of plain cereal mixture with edible gold powder. Shape it into a square buckle and press it onto the hatband.
Let the entire hat cool and set completely before serving.

Notes

This is a large, no-bake, edible craft project that is fun to make for a Halloween party.
Oiling your hands is a crucial step that prevents the sticky marshmallow and cereal mixture from adhering to them while you are sculpting the hat.
The decorations are made from a separate batch of plain crispy rice treats so their colors will be vibrant.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/crispy-treat-witchs-hat/