Fun Halloween Recipes

Halloween is not only a spooky time of year, but a delicious time as well. Although store-bought candy is tasty, there are many creative alternatives that you can make at home in very little time. It doesn’t matter if you are hosting a party or are looking to surprise your own family, these fun snacks are sure to impress.

There are many different types of Halloween goodies to choose from, but I think you should create a few kinds in order to have variety for your guests. You may want to include something chocolaty, something sweet, and something sour so that everyone’s tastes are met.

If you are hosting a children’s Halloween party or want a fun snack to make with your children, let the kids be involved. When kids are able to customize their snacks it lets them have fun and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Here are a few of the best Halloween recipes that I have come across. They have been hits with not only my kids, but my coworkers and friends alike. They are also really easy to make without breaking the bank!

Recipe 1- Spooky Cupcakes.

These cupcakes are super easy to make and taste delicious. You can also cater this recipe to use the ingredients you already have in your home or to one’s you prefer. I am going to detail how to make your own cupcake batter, but if you are in a pinch for time you can always use Duncan Hines cupcake mix. I cheat and use store-bought icing (Vanilla) for frosting. I simply add a few drops of orange food coloring and mix until I have perfected the color.

Cupcake Batter

Ingredients

1¼ cups buttermilk

3½ cups flour

½ cup cocoa powder

1½ teaspoons table salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vinegar

2 cups canola oil

2¼ cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, beat oil, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and sugar.

In a medium mixing bowl, mix flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder.

Beat the dry ingredients into the large mixing bowl of wet ingredients. Mix slowly until you have a consistent batter.

In a small mixing bowl, stir the baking soda and vinegar together.

Add to mixture to the large bowl of ingredients and mix completely.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spoon batter into cupcake lined muffin trays.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Let cool.

Now you can frost the cupcakes with the orange icing. Once the cupcakes are evenly frosted you can start the fun part- decorating. I go to my local grocery store and go to the bulk candy section. This way I can purchase exactly as much of each candy that I need. I look for Halloween themed candy including candy corn, chocolate witches, eyeballs, and gummy worms. I have also used other shades of icing in white and black to create the look of spider webs. Then I used gummy bugs to look as though they were caught in the spider’s web. There are tons of Halloween inspired designs you can use including black cats, witches, brooms, pumpkins, and more.

If you are hosting a children’s Halloween party, these cupcakes can also serve as an activity. Simply place bowls containing the candy for decorating (one bowl for gummies, one bowl for chocolates, etc.) and give each child a cupcake to decorate. This has proven to be a hit at my house, just make sure you have your cleaning supplies ready!

Recipe 2- Haunted Rice Krispies Squares.

Rice Krispies squares are a great treat that can be decorated to fit any holiday, including Halloween. This haunted square recipe is really easy to make, and provides a healthier alternative to many of the high calorie and sugary treats out there.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons margarine (margarine can substituted for butter)

10 oz. regular marshmallows

6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispie’s cereal (can be substituted for a generic brand)

1 cup of frosting (can use any kind- use vanilla if you are planning on mixing with food coloring)

Assorted candies to decorate with

Directions

In a large saucepan, melt the margarine over low heat.

Add marshmallows and stir with a wooden spoon.

Once melted, remove from heat.

Add in cereal.

Stir until evenly coated.

Coat a baking tray (19 x 3 x 2) with cooking spray (I use Pam).

Using wax paper, evenly press the cereal mixture into the baking pan.

Let cool.

Once your squares have cooled it is time to frost them. I have used many different variations of frosting including adding orange and black food coloring. You can also use icing to design shapes on your cupcakes including moons, witch’s hats, and Jack-o’-lanterns. You can do the decorating with assorted candies yourself or ask your kids to help out (another great activity if you are having a Halloween party).

These squares taste great served fresh, or you can freeze them for up to six weeks in a Ziploc freezer bag.

Recipe 3- Dirt Cake.

Now I know this doesn’t sound very appetizing, but trust me, it is. This is actually an all-time favorite of mine. It is really easy to make and provides a rich chocolaty taste. If you are pinched for time you can make this treat a few days ahead and keep it cool in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Ingredients

½ cup softened butter

3 ½ cups milk

32 ounces of chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos work great)

2 packages vanilla instant pudding mix

½ cup confectioner’s sugar

8 ounces softened cream cheese

12 ounces of thawed whipped topping

Directions

Chop the cookies into very small pieces (to a crumble).

In a medium bowl mix cream cheese, butter, and sugar.

In a large bowl mix pudding, whipped topping and milk together.

Pour cream mixture into pudding mixture.

Layer in glass bake ware, starting with the cookie crumble at the bottom.

Place the cream mixture on top.

Repeat layers.

Chill in the fridge until you are ready to decorate.

There are many different ways you can decorate your dirt cake. I like using gummy worms and other creepy crawler candies that I find. You can also plant fake flowers or use a fake gravestone on the top of your dirt cake to make it look more authentic.

Whatever Halloween treats you decide to make are sure to be a hit (and are a nice break from packaged candies). These treats are a fun way to express your Halloween spirit and to get your kids involved in creating an edible treat!

What type of Halloween treats do you serve? Any tasty recipes to share?