Scarecrow Treats

October 16, 2015

This Halloween, bake something you’ve never baked before. And then you’ll sit and eat some more

Looking at this sweet, sweet Halloween treat, it’s hard to imagine why it is named after scarecrows. If anything, it should be called an attract-crow treat. Well, those crows are missing out on a delightful combination of peanut, marshmallow, cake, and many other attractive tastes that make up the best treat at the Halloween party table.

It’s chewy and sweet and everything neat.

Scarecrow Treats

Crust
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
3 cups miniature marshmallows

Topping
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups crisp rice cereal
2 cups salted peanuts
1 cup candy corn

Heat oven to 350°F.

Combine cake mix and butter in bowl. Beat on low speed until well mixed. Add egg; continue beating until well mixed.

Press onto bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven.

Immediately sprinkle marshmallows over hot, partially baked crust. Return to oven; continue baking 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows puff.

Combine corn syrup, sugar and brown sugar in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring 2-4 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Stir in cereal, peanuts and candy corn. Immediately spoon over marshmallows; spread to cover. Cool completely. Cut into bars.