Line a 9x13 pan with parchment and lightly grease it.

Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat. Add the salt and marshmallows. Stir gently until the marshmallows are about 90 percent melted.

Take the pot off the heat and stir until smooth.

Stir in vanilla. Add the cereal and fold with a silicone spatula until coated.

Scrape into the pan. Lightly press with a greased spatula or clean, buttered hands.

Scatter optional add-ins on top and pat in. Let cool at room temp for 30 to 45 minutes, then cut.

Divide the warm marshmallow mixture into three bowls before adding cereal. Tint one bowl red, one green, and keep one plain white using gel food coloring.

Scoop the marshmallow base into bowls, add gel coloring, then stir in cereal.

For swirls, press small patches of each color into the pan and gently nudge them together.

Use cookie cutters for creating fun shapes.

Add candy details with melted chocolate or icing.

For treat pops, insert sticks while the mixture is still soft.