Monster Marshmallow Kabobs: A spooky treat on a stick

What’s better than a bunch of mischievous monsters? Monsters made of marshmallows on a stick, of course — because, let’s face it, everything is more fun when it’s on a stick.

These Monster Marshmallow Kabobs are a festive and frightfully fun Halloween treat the whole family can create together.

All you need are marshmallows and a few inexpensive decorating supplies to craft your very own marshmallow monster mash.

Here’s What You’ll Need

• Marshmallows (regular or jumbo for extra spookiness)

• Bamboo skewers, lollipop sticks or straws (for little goblins, opt for straws or lollipop sticks for safety)

• Assorted decorating supplies: gelatin powder, colored sugars, candy melts, candy eyeballs, edible markers and melted chocolate

Monster Mash Time

1. Line cookie sheets with wax paper to keep things tidy.

2. Gather small bowls and fill them with your spooky decorating materials.

3. Now, let’s create your creepy creatures.

Decorating Tricks And Tips

• Gelatin Powder Magic: Dip marshmallows in water, blot with a paper towel and roll in gelatin powder for a burst of color and flavor. Orange makes perfect pumpkins, while lime makes fun green monsters. Bonus tip: orange gelatin marshmallows plus dark chocolate equals delicious!

• DIY Colored Sugars: Don’t have pre-colored sugar? No problem! Toss white sugar into a jar or bag, add food coloring — start with 6 drops and add more as needed — and shake it up until the sugar is vibrantly hued. Roll marshmallows in your homemade sugar for a colorful sugary coating.

• Candy Melts: Melt candy melts in the microwave — 30-second increments, stirring in between — and dip marshmallows for a smooth, glossy coating. Pro tip: A teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil makes the candy coating easier to work with. Once coated, let them harden on wax paper.

Here’s how we created our spooky squad:

• Frankenstein’s Monster: Coat marshmallow with green candy melts. Press mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles on top while the coating is tacky for “hair.” Add candy eyeballs, then use a toothpick dipped in melted chocolate to draw stitches, eyebrows and a ghoulish grin.

• Pumpkin Faces: Dip marshmallows in orange gelatin powder, then use a toothpick dipped in chocolate to draw jack-o’-lantern faces. Add green candies on top for stems.

• Mummies: Dip marshmallows in white sugar, then drizzle with white candy melts for “bandages.” Attach candy eyes using melted chocolate.

• Ghosts: Coat marshmallows with white candy melts, letting the excess pool at the bottom to form a ghostly shape. Once hardened, use a toothpick and chocolate to create spooky faces.

• Googly Monsters: Roll marshmallows in green sugar, then attach three candy eyes and draw silly monster faces with melted chocolate.

• Bloodshot Eyeballs: Use red food coloring or an edible marker to draw bloodshot squiggles on marshmallows. Top with a candy eyeball for extra spook factor.

Bonus tips for a smooth and safe sticking experience:

• Butter your bamboo skewers before impaling sticky marshmallows — it makes a world of difference. A little goes a long way. I used just a 1/4 teaspoon to coat a whole bunch of skewers.

• For younger kids, swap bamboo skewers for lollipop sticks or straws. If using straws, snip the ends at an angle to make inserting them easier.

• Avoid choking hazards for toddlers by serving decorated marshmallows on a festive plate instead of kabobs. And keep an eye on those sugar eyeballs.

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash or just adding a little spooky fun to snack time, these Monster Marshmallow Kabobs are sure to be a hit.

Get creative, make memories and enjoy every sweet bite — happy haunting!