Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients

• 6 cups rice krispies cereal
• 3 Tbsp salted butter
• 1 pkg. mini marshmallows
• Orange gel food coloring
• 3 pretzel rods, end portions broken off into 2-inch pieces, so you'll have 6 pieces
• 6 mini green airheads or green fondant
• Non-stick cooking spray

Directions

1. Pour the rice krispies cereal into a bowl and set it nearby. In a 4 quart non-stick saucepan or pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
2. Add the marshmallows, stirring as they soften, and mix in orange gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach the shade you want. Continue stirring the mixture the whole time, until the marshmallows are fully melted.
3. Take the pan off the heat and add the rice krispies cereal right away. With a spatula, gently fold and stir until the cereal is coated evenly. Allow the mixture to cool a bit, just until you can comfortably work with it by hand.
4. Coat your hands with non-stick cooking spray, then form the mixture into balls roughly baseball-sized. Press 1 piece of pretzel rod into the top center of each one, adjusting the shape into a pumpkin if needed. Set them on a plate or dish that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
5. Starting along one side of an airhead candy, use clean scissors to cut a leaf shape. Roll the remaining candy into a thin rope, then twist it so it looks like a vine. If using fondant, simply shape it the same way without cutting. Place the candy pieces beside each pretzel stem on the pumpkins. Repeat with the remaining candy, and store the treats in an airtight container.