Monstrously cute treats you can cook up with your kids

Every mom who’s spent five whole seconds on Pinterest has seen them: The too-cute-for-words, how-can-someone-even-eat-it, it’s-so-adorable treats we’re expected to make for our kids these days.

Puppy dog cupcakes. Bunny biscuits. Froggy fruit. The list goes on and on.

If you’ve ever looked at them and thought, “OK, that’s nice, but why should I do all the hard work while my kid reaps all the benefits?” you’re not alone. Which is where Katie Wyllie comes in. Wyllie is the blogger behind Made to Be a Momma and author of the new book Kids’ Treats: 50 Easy, Extra-Special Snacks to Make With Your Little Ones.

Yes, with.

The mother of two little boys has managed to put together a list of the sweetest treats you can ever stare at and wonder “can I eat it when it’s that cute” that — get this — the kids can help with!

From Cat in the Hat Cookies to Colorful Yogurt Dots, the book’s full of sweet eats. Here are two of our favorites here at SheKnows (along with Katie’s comments):

Frankenstein graham crackers recipe

These friendly Frankenstein graham crackers are the perfect addition to any kids’ Halloween bash!

They come together quickly when you use the premade gel icing you can find in your local craft store. I love the pop that the shimmer in the gel icing adds to this recipe, and the googly eyes bring these little Frankensteins to life.

Yields 6

Ingredients:

• 3 full chocolate graham crackers
• 1 tube green gel icing
• 12 candy eyes
• 2-3 tablespoons brown sprinkles

Directions:

1. Break your chocolate graham crackers in half vertically.
2. Cover your graham crackers with green gel icing, and spread evenly with a butter knife or small spatula.
3. Add your candy eyes to the centers of the Frankenstein faces. Use a small brown sprinkle for the mouth, and add a few more sprinkles to the top of the Frankenstein head to create his hair.

Monster rice cereal treats recipe

Rice cereal treats are one of the easiest treats you can make, which is great because, when creating with kids, simple is always best. These Halloween-themed rice cereal treats put on a monster of a costume for the season and are a favorite among kids! Sometimes the best treats are the easiest — and the ones that are the most fun — to make.

Yields 12-18

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 (10 ounce) package marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon sprinkles
• 12-18 mini Oreo cookies
• 1 (3.5 ounce) tube black glaze icing gel

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the marshmallows, and stir until completely melted. Remove from the heat.
2. Add the rice cereal to the butter-marshmallow mixture, and stir to combine.
3. Into a 13 x 9-inch pan coated with cooking spray, press the mixture. Sprinkle the sprinkles on top.
4. Allow the rice cereal to cool for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then cut it into 2- to 3-inch squares.
5. Separate your Oreos, trying to keep the cream on one side of the Oreo.
6. Using your gel icing as glue, glue the opened Oreo to the center top of the rice cereal treat. The cream side should be facing you. Apply a dot of black gel in the center of the cream to create an eyeball.

Recipes excerpted from Kids’ Treats: 50 Easy, Extra-Special Snacks to Make with Your Little Ones Copyright 2015 by Katie Wyllie and published by F+W Media, Inc. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of Katie Wyllie.