Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats
There’s something extra special about letting the kids take the lead in the kitchen — especially during the holidays. My daughter wanted to “bake a pie together,” and since she loves helping with anything sweet, we turned that idea into this fun, festive Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treat. It looks just like a classic Thanksgiving pie but is totally kid-friendly, dye-free, and so easy to slice and share.
We used gluten-free crispy rice cereal, vegan + gluten-free marshmallows, grass-fed butter, and a natural food dye for that warm pumpkin-orange color. The little “whipped cream” dollops on top are actually vegan marshmallow cream — my daughter’s favorite part.
This cheerful little treat is perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, school parties, or a fun baking afternoon with your kids. And it’s one of those recipes that looks more impressive than it actually is!
Ingredients
For the Crust
1.5 Tablespoons unsalted butter (we used grass-fed)
2 cups marshmallows (vegan + gluten-free)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal
For the Filling
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1.5 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2.5 cups marshmallows
~2 teaspoons natural food coloring (we mixed red and yellow)
3.5 cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal
For Topping
Marshmallow fluff (vegan + gluten-free), piped like whipped cream
Instructions
1. Make the Crust
Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the marshmallows and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and fold in the cereal until evenly coated. Press the mixture on the outer ring of a greased 8 inch cake pan to form your “pie crust.”
2. Make the Pumpkin Pie Filling
In the same pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the pumpkin pie spice. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted. Mix in the natural orange coloring until you reach your desired shade. Fold in the cereal. Spread the filling evenly inside the crust and gently press to smooth the top.
3. Decorate
Once slightly cooled, pipe small dots of marshmallow fluff on top to look like whipped cream. Slice and serve!
Why I Love This Recipe
It’s dye-free and kid-friendly
Perfect for little helpers who want to “make a pie”
Quick to assemble and requires no baking
Great for Thanksgiving dessert tables or school celebrations
Easy to slice, share, and store
My daughter was so proud making her “pumpkin pie”. It’s a sweet little memory — and such a fun twist on a nostalgic treat.
