Autumn has arrived….sort of. With the official first day of fall being September 22, most people in the United States are beginning to enjoy the brisk fall days. The leaves turn from green to vibrant reds and oranges, t-shirts are exchanged for cozy sweaters, and everything from coffee to muffins features pumpkin as a main ingredient. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t quite the case in Ridgecrest. As temperatures climb to the low triple digits this weekend, it’s hard to imagine a time when you don’t sweat every time you go outside. But that doesn’t mean we can’t welcome the new season with open arms! 

What are you supposed to do when you want to swim in pumpkin spice, but don’t want the hot latte? Make pumpkin spice rice krispies, of course! 

You truly cannot go wrong with rice krispie treats. They’re simple, take all of 10 minutes to make, and have the ability to feed a crowd. This recipe elevates the well-loved treat and brings it to a whole new level! 

There are a few key changes made in this recipe. First, the addition of pumpkin pie spice. Not only does the added spice add a pumpkin flavor, but it also adds a certain warmth to the treat. Additionally, instead of simply melting the butter, you brown it. To brown butter, you let melted butter continue cooking on the stovetop until it turns a golden brown and has a nutty, toasted aroma. 

I found the brown butter key to making this recipe taste like a true autumn recipe. The toastiness coming from the butter adds a certain depth of flavor. It is almost enough to make me forget that it will be in the 90s next week! The pumpkin spice also contributes to the fall-esque feeling. You get to enjoy the pumpkin flavor without it being an overpowering flavor. 

This particular recipe produced rice krispie treats that stayed soft for long periods of time. I left them uncovered for nearly eight hours after making them, and there wasn’t a hint of staleness. This makes it a great recipe for beginner bakers, as it is very difficult to mess up! 

Not only is the flavor great, but the appearance is as well. The added pumpkin spice adds a faint orange color, making it the perfect festive fall treat! Who needs red and orange leaves when you can have it in the form of a delicious dessert! 

Find the recipe here.

If you are someone who wants to welcome autumn into your life, but aren’t necessarily ready to consume pumpkin spice in every food or drink, try this recipe! It is the perfect treat to enjoy while dreaming of crisp fall days.