we’ve been resharing some of last year’s posts on instagram this month, but today we’ve got something new to share!

i first discovered melting candy discs in my earliest days as a mom + have had fun using them to make a special snack a bit more festive. while it’s not difficult, using this medium can take some practice + a little patience too. once you get the hang of it though, it’s easy to imagine other ways you can use this one ingredient to elevate snacks more often, because every now + then a little something sweet can be oh so fun!

as always on toddler charcuterie, we use treats like these to add some interest to a board or plate as part of a more balanced snack, so we encourage adding something nutritious to these treats like green apples, red grapes, plums, or another seasonal fruit.

building blocks:
(yields 12-24, depending on cut size)

1 large pot (i like a large one to allow room to stir in all the cereal)
4 tablespoons butter, melted
5 1/2-6 cups rice krispies cereal (or similar)
1 bag 10 oz marshmallows (i prefer to use the mini size)
1 tsp vanilla

directions: 
(10-15 minutes)

start by buttering a 9×13 dish
melt the butter in the pan on low heat
pour in one bag of mini marshmallows (or approximately 10oz)
stir to coat in butter + melt
drop in 1 tsp vanilla (optional) + incorporate to marshmallow mixture
pour 5 1/2-6 cups rice krispies cereal + stir gently to combine
empty mixture into prepared 9×13 dish
using an offset spatula, lightly press into a rectangle shape that is mostly even across the top
set aside to cool
once cooled, cut into rectangles or any shape you like
melt the candy discs of your choosing (white for mummies + any fun colors you like for monsters)

for the monsters: dip each treat into a cereal bowl or deeper size to coat the monster + add candy eyes. be creative– this is the fun part + i find kids love to help with the eyes.

serve it up: if you’re carrying these to a party they look amazing in cellophane bags tied with colorful string, ribbon or raffia.

for an afterschool snack, serve on a tray or platter alongside fruit, pretzels, nuts, turkey (or other) jerky sticks.

or…really surprise your ghouls + ghosts by tucking these into a lunch box.