Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Making Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats is honestly one of my favorite ways to jazz up a classic snack.
They’re surprisingly easy—just a handful of ingredients, a bit of time, and you’re set for a party or a fun afternoon with kids.
With some green food coloring and candy eyes, I can turn a basic treat into Frankenstein’s monster.
It’s a playful little kitchen project that always gets a few giggles and a lot of sticky fingers.
Why I Love Them
Decorating these treats is half the fun for me. I get to mess around with silly faces and bright colors—nothing scary, just cute.
They’re perfect for parties, but honestly, I’ve made them for casual movie nights too. My friends and family can’t help but smile when they see them.
Kids like to help out, especially with the decorating part. It’s a good excuse to make a mess together.
The recipe is so straightforward. Just a few pantry staples, no oven required. That’s a win in my book.
I usually make them a day or two ahead if I’m hosting. They keep well, so there’s no rush or last-minute stress.
Equipment
I round up a few basic tools before I start. Trust me, it’s easier to have everything out on the counter.
Here’s what I usually grab:
- Large saucepan — for melting butter and marshmallows
- Spatula or wooden spoon — for mixing
- 9×13-inch baking pan — to shape the treats
- Parchment paper or nonstick spray — to keep treats from sticking
- Microwave-safe bowl — for melting chocolate
- Sharp knife — for cutting finished treats
- Spoons or piping bags — for decorating with melted chocolate and icing
Toothpicks come in handy for details like Frankenstein’s bolts or tiny decorations. I’ll use a zip-top bag with the corner cut off if I don’t have a piping bag—it works just fine.
Ingredients
Here’s what I use for about a dozen Frankenstein treats:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rice Krispies cereal | 4 cups |
| Mini marshmallows | 3 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 3 tablespoons |
| Green food coloring | 6-8 drops |
| Chocolate chips | 1/2 cup |
| Candy eyes | 24 pieces |
| Pretzel sticks | 6 sticks, halved |
I start with marshmallows, butter, and cereal for the base. Super basic, but you can’t skip them.
Green food coloring brings the monster to life. Sometimes I need a few extra drops if it’s not bold enough—no shame in going neon.
Chocolate chips work for the hair and mouth. Candy eyes are a must, but if I’m out, I’ll sub in mini chocolate chips. Pretzel sticks make funny little bolts for the neck.
Honestly, I lay everything out first so I’m not scrambling mid-recipe. Makes the whole thing feel less hectic.
Instructions
First, I melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a big pot over low heat. Once that’s melted, in goes one 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows—I just keep stirring until it’s all smooth and gooey.
I pull the pot off the heat and dump in 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal. Quick mix so everything gets coated.
Time for the green! I add about 8-10 drops of green food coloring and stir until the color looks right. Sometimes I add a bit more if it’s too pale.
Then I press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan with a spatula. I try not to squish it too flat—Frankenstein needs some thickness.
While it’s still a little warm, I cut the slab into rectangles for the monster faces. That part gets sticky, but it’s worth it.
Next, I melt ½ cup of chocolate chips in the microwave. I use a spoon to spread chocolate “hair” on one end of each rectangle.
I stick on candy eyeballs and use black decorating gel for the mouth and bolts. If I’m out of candy eyes, mini chocolate chips do the trick.
I let them cool all the way before picking them up, or they’ll fall apart. Patience is tough, but necessary here.
Equipment
- large saucepan
- Spoon or piping bag
Ingredients
For the Rice Krispie Base:
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 cups Mini marshmallows
- 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 8 –10 drops Green food coloring
For Decoration:
- ½ cup Chocolate chips
- 24 pieces Candy eyes
- 6 Pretzel sticks halved (12 pieces total)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
- Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in the Rice Krispies cereal until fully coated.
- Add green food coloring and mix well until the color is evenly distributed.
- Press the mixture into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking pan. Let it cool slightly.
- While still warm but set, cut the slab into 12 rectangular bars.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to add chocolate “hair” to one end of each rectangle.
- Place two candy eyes below the chocolate hair on each bar.
- Insert two pretzel stick halves on each side of the base for bolts.
- Use more melted chocolate or decorating gel to add a mouth.
- Let the treats cool completely before serving so the decorations stay in place.
Substitute
Sometimes I run out of the usual stuff and have to improvise. Here’s what I swap in when I need to:
- Marshmallows: I use 4 cups of minis, but if I’m short, I’ll scoop 3 tablespoons of marshmallow fluff for every cup.
- Butter: No butter? Four tablespoons of coconut oil keeps them chewy.
- Rice Krispies: I’ve swapped 6 cups of Rice Krispies for cornflakes, cocoa cereal, or puffed rice. No complaints so far.
For food coloring, I use 8-10 drops of gel, but liquid works too—just add until the green pops. Out of chocolate chips? I’ll chop up an ounce of chocolate or melt some brown or black candy melts instead.
Quick Substitute Table
| Ingredient | Substitute | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Marshmallows | Marshmallow Fluff | 3 tbsp per cup |
| Butter | Coconut Oil | 4 tbsp |
| Rice Krispies | Cornflakes/Cocoa cereal | 6 cups |
| Gel Food Coloring | Liquid Food Coloring | As needed |
What Can Go Wrong?
Sometimes my Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats just don’t turn out as planned.
Here are some issues I’ve run into—and a few ways you might sidestep them.
1. Treats Too Hard or Dry
If I use too much cereal or not quite enough marshmallow, my treats get tough.
I usually stick to about 6 cups of Rice Krispies and 10 ounces of marshmallows for that gooey, chewy texture everyone wants.
2. Melting Missteps
If I melt the marshmallows over high heat, they get stiff and weirdly hard to stir.
I just use low heat and keep an eye on them—patience pays off here.
3. Uneven Color
Sometimes when I add green food coloring, I get lazy and don’t stir enough.
That leaves streaks and pale spots, so I try to mix a little more for a nice, even monster green.
4. Decorations Slide Off
If I start decorating before the treats have set, candy eyes and icing can just slide right off.
I let the bars cool a bit before adding any decorations, even if I’m impatient.
Common Mistakes Table
| Mistake | How I Fix It |
|---|---|
| Treats too dry | Use more marshmallows |
| Difficult to shape | Grease my hands with butter |
| Color not bright enough | Add a few extra drops of food color |
