Monster Bars

3 tablespoons butter

1 bag (10 ounces) marshmallows (or 4 cups mini marshmallows)

6 cups crispy rice cereal

1 package (15.35 ounces) orange cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

Assorted orange and black sprinkles and Halloween candy

Spray or butter 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Set aside.

Coarsely chop 15 cookies and combine with cereal in large bowl. Set aside.

Place remaining cookies in food processor; pulse to finely chop. Pour into a bowl and tightly cover; set aside for decoration.

In large saucepan, melt butter. Add marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted. Remove from heat and quickly stir in cereal/cookie mixture; continue stirring until well combined.

Spoon into prepared pan and smooth top with buttered spatula. Cool completely in pan.

Cut into bars and decorate top with Halloween sprinkles. Spread cookie crumbs on platter. Place bars on crumbs and arrange decorations in dirt around bars. Decorate with additional candy as desired.

Serves 20.

Baker's hints: Go to the dark side by substituting chocolate-flavored crispy cereal and decorate with dark chocolate. Infuse flavor by adding 1½ teaspoons orange or vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture.

Nutrition values per serving (without decorations): 143 calories, 4 g fat (2 g saturated), 26 g carbohydrates, trace amount fiber, 1 g protein, 5 mg cholesterol, 182 mg sodium.