Prepare to be absolutely smitten! These **Caramel Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels** have quickly become my ultimate favorite fall dessert. The mere thought of them makes me smile, and I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve lost count of how many I’ve enjoyed already!
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Sweet Treats with a Serious Purpose: Fighting Childhood Hunger
While today we’re celebrating a truly delightful fall treat, there’s a vital conversation we need to have: childhood hunger in America. It’s a stark reality that touches countless lives, and it demands our attention. Shockingly, one in five children in the United States resides in households that struggle with consistent access to sufficient, nutritious food. This isn’t just a statistic; it represents real children, real families, and real struggles right within our communities.
As a food blogger, my passion for cooking often manifests as a creative pursuit. Developing innovative recipes and preparing wonderful meals for my family and friends, especially my boys, brings immense joy. However, when I contemplate the fact that children go to school hungry every single day, my heart breaks into a million pieces. The thought of their empty stomachs and the profound impact it has on their ability to learn, play, and thrive is simply unbearable.
My eyes were truly opened to the depth of the hunger crisis in America by my younger sister, Ashley. She was pursuing her teaching credential and working at a school that was far removed from my everyday experiences. Ashley shared heartbreaking stories of the sweet, resilient children in her class. Many lacked proper clothing, didn’t have backpacks, and most distressing of all, arrived at school without having eaten breakfast. These children, through no fault of their own, were facing significant challenges before their school day even began.
She recounted how some of these children relied solely on the school lunch for their daily nutrition, often going up to 24 hours between meals. This reality is utterly staggering and unacceptable. It truly makes me reflect on the amount of food we sometimes waste in our own homes – enough, perhaps, to nourish an entire other family. This realization is both disheartening and motivating. I am absolutely committed to making a difference, and I believe many of you feel the same profound desire to help.
Empowering Change: The “Hunger Is” Program with Albertsons Safeway
Despite the sobering statistics, there is indeed very good news: **YOU have the power to help!** Today, I’m honored to partner with Albertsons Safeway to shed light on their impactful “Hunger Is” program. This initiative provides a simple, accessible pathway for everyone to contribute to the crucial mission of alleviating childhood hunger.
The “Hunger Is” campaign is designed for collective action. It runs throughout the month of September and focuses on raising vital awareness, encouraging volunteer hours, and securing funds. These efforts are directly aimed at improving health outcomes for hungry children and their families across America. Every contribution, no matter how small, adds up to a significant impact.
Participating is remarkably easy, and there are two main ways you can lend your support. Firstly, simply by shopping at your local Albertsons or Safeway store (or any other stores within their extensive family of brands), you can make a difference. Look for products from participating brands, and a portion of your purchase will go towards the “Hunger Is” campaign. Secondly, you can directly donate to the “Hunger Is” campaign at your local store; many locations offer convenient donation options right at the checkout. It truly couldn’t be more straightforward to contribute to this incredibly worthy cause.
What’s particularly encouraging is that many of the brands participating in this program are ones we already know, love, and regularly incorporate into our daily lives. These include household names like Con Agra (featuring popular brands such as Marie Callender’s, Healthy Choice, Bertolli’s, and P.F. Chang’s), Coca-Cola, Unilever (which includes delightful treats like Breyers and Ben & Jerry’s ice creams), Kellogg’s, and Campbell’s. By simply purchasing products you already enjoy from these brands at Safeway or Albertsons, you are actively helping combat hunger in America. It’s a genuine win-win situation where your everyday shopping contributes to a profound social good. Each designated item helps connect hungry children in our communities with healthy, much-needed food.
Crafting Autumn Bliss: Caramel Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels
One of my absolute favorite and most effective ways to raise money for charitable causes is, you guessed it, through a good old-fashioned bake sale! I know, it might not be a huge surprise given my passion for all things baked and sweet, but I truly enjoy baking for a purpose. With autumn in full swing and the desire to create something universally appealing for a bake sale, I set out to develop a treat that encapsulated the season perfectly: something deliciously pumpkin-y, wonderfully caramel-y, and utterly irresistible to everyone. The result? These incredible Caramel Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels.
These pinwheels draw inspiration from my hugely popular S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels – a recipe that has charmed countless visitors to my site. For this autumnal rendition, I gave them a complete fall makeover, and I genuinely cannot get enough of them. The addition of a rich, gooey caramel layer was an absolute stroke of genius; it truly *makes* these pinwheels extraordinary. To achieve that quintessential autumn pumpkin flavor, I incorporated delightful pumpkin spice marshmallows, which melt beautifully and infuse every bite with warmth and spice.
Seriously, folks, you absolutely *have* to make these! They are a game-changer for fall desserts. You won’t believe how easy and unbelievably delicious they are. Promise me you’ll give them a try!
And because I simply can’t resist adding a touch of whimsy and fun, I took these already fabulous pinwheels a step further. By inserting a small pretzel stick into the top and fashioning a cute “leaf” out of green Laffy Taffy, I transformed each individual pinwheel slice into an adorable miniature pumpkin. This extra touch makes them perfect for fall parties, Halloween gatherings, or just a festive treat at home!
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Caramel Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 11 oz bag vanilla caramels
- 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 8 oz pumpkin spice marshmallows (buy 2 bags for this recipe if an 8oz bag is not enough for 1 cup extra)
- 1 cup pumpkin spice marshmallows
- ¼ cup butter
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 7 oz jar marshmallow creme
- pretzel sticks (optional, for pumpkin stems)
- green laffy taffy (optional, for pumpkin leaves)
Instructions
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Unwrap all the vanilla caramels and carefully place them into a small saucepan. Add the sweetened condensed milk and the first portion of butter (1/4 cup) to the saucepan.
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Cook this mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Continue until the caramels are completely melted and the mixture transforms into a wonderfully smooth, uniform sauce. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until it has thickened nicely. Set this delectable caramel aside.
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Prepare a 10×15 inch jellyroll pan by lining it generously with waxed paper. Ensure the waxed paper is thoroughly buttered to prevent sticking. Set this prepared pan aside.
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In a separate large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the pumpkin spice marshmallows (8 oz bag + 1 cup extra, referring to the recipe card) and the second portion of butter (¼ cup). Cover the bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir the mixture well, then repeat the microwaving and stirring process until the marshmallows are completely melted and blended into a smooth, fluffy consistency.
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Gently fold the 5 cups of Rice Krispies cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture until it’s evenly coated. Press this mixture firmly and uniformly into the prepared waxed paper-lined jellyroll pan. For best results, use buttered hands or a piece of buttered waxed paper to press it down flat. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow it to set slightly.
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Once the Rice Krispies layer is slightly firm, take it out of the refrigerator. Using an offset spatula, carefully spread the marshmallow creme evenly over the top of the Rice Krispies layer. Make sure to leave a clear border of about 1 to 2 inches along one of the long edges of the mixture; this will help with rolling.
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Next, generously spread a layer of the cooled caramel sauce over the marshmallow creme. You may not need to use all of the caramel, depending on your preference for sweetness and stickiness. Be sure to spread it evenly. Return the pan to the refrigerator for another 20 minutes to allow the layers to firm up slightly.
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Once chilled, it’s time to roll! Starting from the long edge that you spread the marshmallow creme and caramel all the way to (the one *without* the 1-2 inch clear border), begin to carefully roll up the entire mixture jellyroll-style, just like you would a cinnamon roll. As you roll, gently peel away the waxed paper. Once rolled, pinch the seam together to seal it securely.
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Place the rolled pinwheel log seam-side down on a plate or cutting board. Refrigerate for an additional 30-45 minutes to ensure it is firm enough to slice cleanly.
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Once thoroughly chilled and firm, use a sharp, lightly greased knife to slice the log into beautiful pinwheels. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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**Optional Pumpkin Decoration:** To transform your pinwheels into adorable pumpkins, gently insert a pretzel stick into the top center of each sliced pinwheel to create a stem. Then, mold small pieces of green Laffy Taffy into leaf shapes and attach them near the pretzel stick for a festive fall touch.
Nutrition
More Crowd-Pleasing Bake Sale Treats & Fall Favorites!
Looking for more amazing treats that are perfect for bake sales, holidays, or just because? Here are some of my other tried-and-true favorites that are sure to impress!
Peanut Butter Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Bakery Style M&M’s and Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Brown Butter White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Blackberry Oatmeal Crumble Bars
Reese’s Peanut Butter S’mores Oatmeal Cookie Bars
For a comprehensive collection of all my pumpkin recipes, click HERE.
Discover an array of delicious dessert recipes HERE.
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Wishing you a wonderfully sweet day, and thank you for considering how you can make a difference!
This content is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Safeway. All opinions and text expressed are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine commitment to both delicious recipes and meaningful causes.