Halloween Desserts, Treats & Ideas
Compiled by Diane Shavkin of New York

 
 
From:  Diane Shavkin as submitted in aol cook book by Stephndon 

One super quick and easy "recipe" the kids really enjoy is dipping Nutter Butter cookies in melted white chocolate and when dry dotting on two black eyes and a black mouth for a ghost (with black gel).

Another easy idea is to take Oreo cookies, spread white frosting on one side.  Put two dabs of frosting on "top" of the cookie where "ears" would go.  Stick candy corn in those two spots, pointy side up for "ears".  Now placd two green mini M&M's for "eyes", a red mini M&M for the "nose" and some 1-inch long pieces of black shoestring liccorice for the "whiskers".  Viola, a cat!

You can do the same thing with an Oreo and chocolate frosting to make a spider, with a mini M&M for the nose, blue or green confetti decors (candy sprinklings in the baking section) for eyes, and yellow confetti decors for spots on the body...take 8 1-inch long pieces of black shoestring liccorice for the legs, 4 on each side.  Kids love this stuff!!
 

From: RBWH46 (Marilyn)

Ghosts in the Graveyard

 3 1/2 cups cold milk
 2 (4 serving size) packages Jello Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie filling
 1 (12 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed
 1 (16 oz.) chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (used Keebler double chocolate fudge cookies - chocolate on outside and inside)

 Make pudding as directed on package using 3 1/2 cups milk.  Let stand 5 minutes.

 Stir in 3 cups Cool Whip and 1/2 of the crushed cookies. Spoon into a 13 x 9 dish.
 Sprinkle with remaining crushed cookies.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.  Decorate with candy, rectangular sandwich cookies (tombstones) ,spoonfuls of Cool Whip (ghost) (You can buy the marshmallow ghosts and moons).

 Hint:  crush cookies in a zipper-style plastic bag with a rolling pin or in a food processor. 

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This weekend I went to a Craft Show in Marietta, Ga. at the Square.  I thought that this was a clever and cute idea for Halloween.

popcorn
candy corns
plastic food service gloves
orange ribbon

Pop the popcorn. Take a glove and insert one candy corn in each of the fingers for fingernails.  Fill fingers and hand with popped pop corn and tie with orange curly ribbon. 
 

From: Roca Mesa (Karen Roper MO)

Frozen Jack-o-Lanterns  (McCalls Magazine)

6 med. navel oranges
3 cinnamon sticks, break in half
2 pints chocolate icecream, choco. sorbet or orange-vanilla swirl
1 (7 oz) roll marzipan {?}
green food coloring
cornstarch for dusting

1) Using paring knife, cut zigzag or wavy ring around top of each orange to form the Jack "lid". Remove lid.Using grapfruit knife and small spoon, scoop pulp from both pieces. With paring knife, cut out eyes, nose and mouth. Cut small X thru center of each lid; insert cin-stick half in each for stem.Spoon ice cream in each bottom;replace lids. Freeze until ready to serve.
 

2)Decorations:  Knead marz. w/green colring. Lightly dust work suface w/cornstarch;roll marz. to 1/8 in. thickness. Cut out small leaf shapes.  {I like your gumdrop idea better}

3) To serve: Place each Jack-o-Lantern on plate.  Decorate lids with leaves.
 

Halloween Game:

Karen's daughter, Irene, will be 8 on Oct. 30.  We have Hallowe'en down pat!   Don't forget about "pin the nose on the Jack-O-Lantern" (pin tail on donkey). 
 
 
 

From: JWGPKG (Pam of FL)

"Cool Whip Graveyard Treat"

(Found in a magazine last year; big hit with my daughter's school class)

2-1/4 c. chocolate wafer cookie crumbs, divided
1/2 c. sugar, divided
1/2 c. (1 stick) margarine, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese
1 tub (12 oz.) Cool Whip (or other similar topping), thawed
2 c. boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) or 2 pkgs. (4-serving size) Jello-O (or other
  comparable brand) orange-flavored gelatin
1/2 c. cold water
ice cubes
Decorations:  assorted rectangle-shaped sandwich cookies for tombstones, decorator icing, candy corn and candy pumpkins

Mix 2 c. of the cookie crumbs, 1/4 c. of the sugar, and margarine in 13 x 9-inch pan. Press firmly onto bottom of pan. Refrigerate.

Beat cream cheese and remaining 1/4 c. sugar in bowl until smooth.  Stir in 1/2 of the whipped topping,  Spread over crust.

Stir boiling water into gelatin in bowl 2 minutes or until dissolved.  Mix cold water and ice to make 1-1/2 c.  Stir into gelatin until slightly thickened.  Remove any remaining ice.  Spoon over cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm.  Spread remaining whipped topping over galtin.  Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.  Decorate as a graveyard with cookies and candies.  Makes 15-18 servings.
 

From: music_class@earthlink.net (Katj)

HALLOWEEN FACE PAINT
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. water
1/2 tsp. cold cream
2 drops food coloring
In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, mix well.
 

From shavkin:

Diane Shavkin's Skeleton Bones Fudge

1 lb white chocolate compound
1 can sweetened, condensed milk
Flavoring (optional)
1/4 - 1/2 bag miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup shredded cocoanut

Melt coating.  Stir in condensed milk (warm and make it the same temperature as the melted coating).  Quickly, stir in the marshmallows, almonds and cocoanut.  Spread in an 8" square, buttered pan.  Score and cut into rectangular pieces. (More like long, rectangular strips - about 1-2" long and 1/4-1/2" wide.) 
 

IDEAS FOR A HALLOWEEN PARTY:

Apple Cider with 7-Up or Sprite.  Make an ice ring with thin slices of apples (do not remove the peel) and float this in the punch - Witches Brew

The ole-fashioned egg yolk mixed with mayonnaise and a dash of mustard and placed back into the egg white shell/container - "Deviled Eggs"

Black Olives with a very thin carrot stick through the olive - "The cats' meow"

For dessert:  "Elegant Lady Fingers" - Just pipe some tip #22 stars on each of the lady fingers using buttercream frosting and sprinkle some sprinkles on top of the buttercream (those little colored dots).

Green grapes peeled and rolled in granulated sugar with a toothpick sticking out of each one for easy grasping - "Green Eye Catchers"

"The Killer Bee" - 1 c peanutbutter mixed with 2 Tbsp margarine, 1 cup powdered sugar, white currents and 2 cups rice Krispies.  Drizzle melted milk or dark chocolate over each oval-shaped piece.  Just mix all the ingredients together and shape into ovals.  You can roll these into brown sugar if u want before drizzling the melted chocolate over the ovals.  (Thanks and credit to "Faith91946 for the basic recipe that she called "Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls.  I just changed it a bit).

Use a pastry bag filled with softened cream cheese that has been whipped and pipe beads of cream cheese into celery cavities - "The Ghostly Rider"  OR for a dessert use those long rectangular sugar wafer cooker in place of the celery to pipe your "ghostly rider" on.  Use buttercream frosting to pipe those "ghosts" with a #12 decorating tip instead of cream cheese.

Drizzle white chocolate from right to left, one "line" at a time, over some gingersnaps cookies - "Murder She Wrote"  You can use any type of cookie that is dark in color so that the "white chocolate" shows up.  OR if u dare:  Drizzle red, chocolate compound instead of the white chocolate over the cookies. 

Stick sucker/lolly pop sticks into marshmallows.  Dip marshmallows into chocolate.  Then, dip the top and part of each of the sides of the marshmallow into chocolate sprinkles.  Put eyes (3-D paint your own with an artist's brush or purchase them at a cake supply shop) on each marshmallow - "The Headless Horseman".  Note:  The eyes that you can purchase in a cake supply shop, can be "glued" in place with a dab of melted chocolate. 

Devil Dog recipe:
2 c flour,1 c sugar,2 egg yolks,5 tbsp cocoa,1 tsp Baking Powder,1 tsp baking soda.
1 tsp salt,1/2 c cooking oil,1 tsp vanilla,1 c milk
Cream oil & sugar.  Add egg yolks and mix well.  Sift together cocoa, flour, B>P>, baking soda and salt.  Add alternately to sugar mixture with milk and vanilla.  Drop by tsp. two or 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 deg F ten to 12 minutes.  Let cool and spread with a white, buttercream filling.  Put together like sandwiches.
 

HALLOWEEN CHOCOLATE CUPS

Use a candy mold that is fairly deep (not a flat lollypop mold).  Note:  You can use a lollypop candy mold that has density, but just leave out the stick.

Fill the mold with melted, chocolate compound.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Pour out the liquid contents that has not solidified into a pan that is lined with waxed paper.  (When this poured-out mixture has solidified, it can be removed from the waxed paper and remelted).  Place in freezer for a few minutes.  Remove from freezer.  Refill with more melted, chocolate compound.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Pour out the contents.  Place in freezer to solidify.  Remove the candy pieces from the molds.  To serve:  Fill with scoops of orange sherbert.  Place chocolate chips for the eyes and nose onto the sherbert..  Cut strips of black liquorice for the mouth.  Add a piece of green gum drop for the stem.
 

Sugar-Molded Halloween Favors

Use a 2-piece pumpkin mold (plastic that can be found in craft shops or cake supply shops) or a one-piece pumpkin candy mold that has density.

Make the sugar mixture by using the basic recipe of 1 tsp. water to each cup of sugar.  Always add the food coloring to the water and mix well before adding this to the sugar.  Mix the sugar-water mixture well by kneading with the hands.  OR place the sugar into a zip-lock baggie and add the colored water.  Knead the bag containing the mixture well.

Press the sugar-water mixture into a mold.  Compact it well.  Place a cardboard on top of the mold where the sugar opening is.  Reverse the mold so that the cardboard holding the mold can be placed on the work surface.  Remove the plastic mold very carefully so that the shape of the sugar-molded piece is not disturbed.  Let dry for 2 hours.  Test the mold to see if ready by picking up the sugar-molded piece and turning it upsidedown.  Check to see how wide the dried, outter edge is.  If the thickness is desirable, carefully scoop out the undried sugar so that you have a nice edge.  Let dry overnight.  Pipe an orange-colored border around (right on top of) the edge.  Fill with Halloween candy.  Favor can be placed in cellophane bags and tied with a bow and curly ribbon.    Name tags can be placed on his favor.  (Florist gift cards are idea for name tags).
 

Halloween Centerpieces 

Purchase white-plastic, cylinder vases at a florist shop or wholesale florist.  Place styrofoam inside the vase.  Make napkin inserts like you see displayed in the gift bags.  (Tissue paper inserted inside the decorative bags).  To create napkin design, lay the orange-colored napkin or Halloween printed napkin on a cork surface.  Grab the napkin at the center point and form the napkin into a "cone" with the top part flaring out and decorative.  Take a 10-12" sucker stick or dowel and use florist tape to attach the "cone" (about 2-3 inches up the napkin) to the sucker stick.  Make 3 of these for each vase.  Make a Halloween candy pop.  (There are jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, black cats, etc. to choose from.)  The sucker stick attached to the pop should be long, too.  Put the Halloween candy part of the pop inside a sucker bag and tie & curl with orange curly ribbon.  Stick the Halloween candy pop inside the vase.  Next, put the napkin "pops" in place and "flair" out the napkin to make a nice display.  You can also add an orange bow to the vase.  Just make loops and wire the center of the loops.  Bring down the extra bit of wire parallel to the sucker stick and wrap florist tape around the wire and stick to secure.  Place this in the front section of your Halloween "centerpiece".   Note:  You can use Halloween sugar cookies in place of the candy.  Attach these sugar cookies to the sucker stick with royal icing.
 

From: SuzannahJ

 Ralph's Retch

 1 (3-0z.) box Strawberry Jello
 Crushed Ice
 2 cans strawberry soda

 Prepare Jello according to directions.  Pour into shallow baking pan and chill until firm, about 3 hours.

 Cut firm jello into very tiny cubes.

 Spoon alternating layers of crushed ice and jello pieces into 4 tall glasses, filling them about two inches from tops.  Pour strawberry soda into each glass until full, then stir gently.  Serve retch with iced-tea spoons, so your guests can get at every chilly glob.

 From:  GROSS GRUB by Cheryl Porter (Random House) 
 

 From: Pwd Sugar (Earlene Moore TX)

 Martha Stewart had a cute idea on her program Saturday.  Making candle holders from the small pumpkins, squash or apples for fall.  They will float and otherwise were cute. 

 Just got back from Michigan and their DOS and teaching for 3 days.  Jeannie Babbitt found this darling idea in a craft magazine.  These centerpieces were used on all of the tables for their DOS.  You need a clay pot and the matching tray that normally goes under it.  That tray will be the lid.  Place the tray upside down on the clay pot and paint rust or red stripes from the center top of the lid (tray upside down) down to the bottom of the clay pot.  About 6 stripes is sufficient.   Hot glue a painted wooden ball (or large gum ball) for a handle on the center of the top (upside down) tray.  Add a raffia bow, fall leaves, ribbons and etc.   On the rim of the (upside down) tray paint two large eyes between two of the stripes.  Directly under the eyes paint a nose and a squiggly line for a mouth.  Two fat cheeks painted finish the face.  (They used the starlight large round mint candies for the eyes and cheeks and M&M's for the eyes and nose.   A permanent ink marker for the mouth.)  A foil covered board underneath with a few more leaves, ribbon and etc. finishes off this cute centerpiece.  You could use buttons,  construction paper, fabric puff balls, fimo and etc. for the face features.  Lots of possibilities with this one.  A really cute place to keep those candy treats for the special kids in your life. 
 

From: Sarahnelly

 FROG EYES SALAD

 TRICK OR TREAT, WHAT'S THERE TO EAT?  THIS IS A REAL TREAT.

 1/2 cup sugar
 1T. flour
 1/4 t. salt
 1 20 oz. can pineapple chunks, undrained
 1 egg beaten
 1 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained
 2 t. lemon juice
 1-1/3 cups (8 oz.) Acine di Pepe, uncooked.  (it's a pasta)
 2 cans (11oz. each) mandarin oranges
 3-1/2 cups (8oz) frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed and divided
 3 cups mini marshmallows
 1/2 cup flaked coconut
 maraschino cherries

 In medium saucepan, stir together sugar, flour and salt.  Drain pineapple, reserving juice to equal 1 cup.  With wisk, gradually stir juice and egg into sugar mixture.  Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until mixture comes to a boil.  Stir in lemon juice.  Cool mixture to room temperature.  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, drain.  Rinse with cold water to cool quickly; drain well.  In large bowl, stir together pineapple juice mixture and pasta.  Cover, refrigerate several hours or overnight.  Ass crushed pineapple and chunks, oranges, 2 cups of whipped topping, marshmallows and coconut; mix gently and thoroughly.  cover, refrigerate until cold.  Top with remaining whipped topping; garnish with cherries.  12 servings (about 1 cup each). 
 

From: MBF821 (Brenda of NY)

Halloween Idea:

 I haven't tried to make this yet but I saw the cutest pumpernickle spider in a bakery over the weekend. It was about 8 or 9 inches around. It looked like it was made by crossing four 9 inch long lengths of bread to create 8 legs and adding a round body and a smaller round head. Raisins were used for eyes. Something was used to prop up the middle part of each leg while it was baking so that only the ends of the feet and the body touch the table. Maybe foil was used. 
 

From: Cakestmper

Decorate cupcakes by covering tops with tip#233 pull out string grass, add little candy layons in the shape of pumpkins, skeletons, boo, cats, etc.

Use greeting cards for great ideas for designs on cakes. My favorite a few years ago was a poster of pumpkins with different facial expressions, with the word Halloween in the background. I was able to shrink this on a copy machine, cut a mylar stencil, and airbrush the design onto a cake, real quick. Then you can decorate lavishly, or quickly, using icing or air brush.
 

From: SpecBySue  (Sue of TX)

 Sue's Pumpkin Bread

 1 2/3 c flour
 1 1/2 c sugar
 1 tsp baking soda
 1/4 tsp baking powder
 3/4 tsp salt
 1/2 tsp ground cloves
 1/4 tsp grounf nutmeg
 1/2 tsp cinnamon
 2 eggs 1/2 c Crisco oil
 1 cup of prepared canned pumpkin
 1/2 c water
 1/2 c chopped dates
 1/2 c chopped walnuts

 Grease loaf pans. Mix all ingredients. and Bake at 325 for 1 to 1 1/4 hrs. (If using differenct sizes of pans, just  use the toothpick methos to test for doneness.)
 Coll on rake. This recipe makes 2 medium size loaves. I usually double it  to make more. It freezes well and taste great as a breakfast bread spread with the soft Philly cheese.
 

From; L2jlu2 (ICES Member) - Lourdes, NY

Here is an easy recipe from Kellog's

Prepare one batch of Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats Recipe through step 2 as shown on box.

Measure 1/2  cup warm mixture and shape into pumpkins.
3. Create eyes, nose and mouth with candy. Use licorice stick for stem.  Makes 12 pumpkings.  you can tint your pumpkings orange. Mix red and yellow food coloring and add to marshmallow mixture.    Enjoy! 

**********

Here is another great recipe from Parents magazine.   It's quick and the kids can help.

Spiderweb Cupcakes

3 Tab canola oil
 1/2 cup sugar
 1 tab grated orange zest
 1 tespoon vanilla extract
 1/4 cup orange juice
 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
 1 egg, separated , plus 1 large egg white
 pinch of salt
 1 cup of allpurpose flour
 1/2 teas baking soda

 ICING
 1 tab orange juice
 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

 SPIDERWEB
 1/3 cup chocolate chip

 1. Preheat oven to 350 line ten muffin tins with muffin papers and set aside.
 2.  in a medium mixing bowl, combine oil, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla.  Add orange juice, sourcream, and egg yolk.  Sift in flour and baking soda and stir just until blended.
 3. in a separate bowl, using and electric beater or hand whisk beat egg whites, with a pinch of salut until they hold peaks, then gently fold into batter.
 4. Spoon batter into muffin papers. bake until cupcakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 15 minutes.  Set on a rack and cool.
 5.  to make the icing, blen confectioners sugar and orage juice until smooth.  Top cooled cupcakes with icing, then return to rack to let icing set.
 6.  To make the spiderwebs, melt chocolate chips, in a microwave for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stirring twice on high power.  (or melt chocolate in a heavy pot on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently).  Transfer chocolate to a small plastic bag, cut a small piece off the corner, and squeeze chocolate onto cupcakes in a spiderweb patter.


 
 
 Butterscotch Candied Apples - (Diane's sister Anne's High school cookbook - 1940's)

1 cup sugar
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup Karo Syrup
1 tsp vinegar
few grains salt
1 tsp vanilla

Mix sugar, salt, butter, syrup and water in saucepan.  Stir over low flame until mixture begins to boil.  Then cook without stirring until it reaches "band snap" stage.  Add coloring and vanilla.  Firmly secure and place a thick lollypop stick into the apple.  Dip the apple into the mixture.  Lay on waxed apple to let solidify and cool. 

 Easy Pumpkin Chocolate-Dipped Cookies

 Make your favorite sugar cookie or spice cookie recipe.  Use pumpkin cookie cutters and cut out the cookies.  Bake as directed in recipe.  Cool.  Dip each cookie in orange, tinted white chocolate compound.  Place chocolate chips for the eyes and nose.  Pipe a mouth with brown, royal icing.  Pipe the green stem with royal icing.  Let dry before eating.  Great for school parties or bake sales. 
 

Cupcakes with Haystacks and Pumpkins

Bake cupcakes.  Cool.  Frost with chocolate frosting.  Add coconut that has been tinted green for the grass.  (To tint coconut:  Place coconut in ziplock bag.  Add a dab of food coloring.  Close bag.  Knead the outside of the bag to tint the coconut.)  Make haystacks by melting one pound of peanut butter chocolate compound and adding one can of chow mein noodles or any type of chow mein noodles in the amount desired.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.  Form into haystacks.  Let solidify.  Place onto the frosted cupcakes.  Add candy pumpkins or pipe pumpkins near the haystack using orange, buttercream frosting.  Pumpkins can be piped ahead of time with royal icing and put into place on the cupcakes near the haystacks.

Easy Spider Cookies

Dip Oreo cookies into melted, chocolate compound.  Place onto waxed paper.  Add shoestring licorice for the legs.  Add an M&M for the nose.  Pipe green eyes using green royal icing after the chocolate on the cookie has solidified.  Add dots of yellow candy sprinkle dots for spots on the spider.
 

Party Fun

Play "Bite the Marshmallow".  Secure a string to a marshmallow.  Hang from a door entrance.  Have the children put their hands behind their back to try to "catch" the swinging marshmallow and bit it.  Once the child bites the marshmallow, the marshmallow is given to the child to finish eating.

Play "Bobbing for Apples".  Place an apple into individual bowls that have been filled with water.  Have each child put their hands behind their back as they try to bob for the apple and bite it.  Once the child bites the apple, the apple is given to the child as his/her reward to finish eating. 
 

 From:  RBWH46

 Goblin Cinnamon Puffs

 1 package (13.5 ounce) wild blueberry muffin mix
 1/2 cup sugar
 1 teaspoon cinnamon
 1/2 cup butter melted

 Prepare muffins as directed on package except -- bake batter in tiny muffin cups 12 to 15 minutes.  Mix sugar and cinnamon.  Roll hot muffins in melted butter, then in cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Makes about 24 small muffins.
 

"Bobbing Apple" Punch Bowl

 1 gallon apple cider
 2 teaspoons whole cloves
 2 teaspoons whole allspice
 2 sticks cinnamon (3 inches each)
 2/3 cup sugar
 2 whole oranges, washed
 Whole cloves
 3 medium red apples, washed

 Heat cider, 2 teaspoons cloves, the allspice, cinnamon and sugar to boiling; cover and simmer 20 minutes.  Stud oranges with cloves.  Strain punch and pour into punch bowl.* Float oranges and apples in punch bowl.  Makes 32 half-cup servings.

 *If using a glass punch bowl, first pour in warm water to heat bowl. 
 

From: Cannons 4 

Witches Brew

Little black roaches (raisins)
Flaming dragon eyes (red dots or cinnamon candies)
Vampire bat teeth (candy corn)
Slithering blood thirsty snakes (gummy worms)
Sharp needles of a porcupine (small pretzel sticks)
Tiny mice skulls (mini marshmallows)
Lizard hearts (chocolate chips)
Giant ant eggs (peanuts)

Divide children into groups (8 or less per group).  Place ingredients in small bowls or cups, labeled with the goblin names  (3x5 card in front will do).  Let children combine  ingredients from each bowl/cup in a punch bowl or black cauldron.   The following chant is repeated after each ingredient is added to the bowl. 

 “Men and women best beware, 
 Witches’ brew is in the air,
 Ghouls and bats and snakes it takes,
 A ghostly stew is what it makes.” 

Each child gets a small bag with some Witches’ Brew  to take home.
 

Monster Halloween Heads 
4 T butter or margarine
10 oz package marshmallows
6 C Rice Krispies
green food coloring (or any other color)
10 craft (popsicle) sticks
10 (5 oz) waxed paper cups (DIXIE puts out)
sprinkles, candy eyes, gummy worms, candy corn for decorations

In medium size saucepan, melt  butter/margarine over low hea (or this can be microwaved).  Add marshmallows stirring frequently.  After marshmallows melt, add 10 drops green food coloring.  Pour over cereal in large mixing bowl; mix well.  Pat mixture into cups; insert sticks.  Wait 30 minutes.  Carefully tear cups off.  Press candy on to make monster faces; ie sprinkles for hair, red cinnamon candies for eyes, etc.  Place upside down on waxed paper.  Yield: 10-12.

After tearing the cups off, I dipped them upside down in brown sprinkles (for hair), added mini M&M's for eyes, red licorice for mouth, and two jujubees (for bolts in the side of the neck).  This must be done while the marshmallow is still sticky!

Ghost Cookies 
1 package Nutter Butter Cookies
1 (6 oz) package white chocolate morsels, or 1/2 lb white chocolate
chocolate chips (for garnish)

Hold cookie by end and dip Nutter Butter cookies in white chocolate and place on waxed paper lined cookie sheets.  When white chocolate has set, dip other end of cookie and place back on cookie sheets.  Quickly, while chocolate is still soft, place two chocolate chip “eyes” toward one end of cookie.  Refrigerate until set, about 10-15 minutes.
 

From:  TraceyDJ

Black Cat Cookies

1 cup  crunchy peanut butter
1/3  cup water
2 eggs
1 pkg.chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. m & m's -- plain
red hots

Beat together peanut butter, eggs, and water.  Gradually add cake mix.  Mix well.  Form dough into 1-inch balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten balls with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.  Pinch out 2 ears at top of cookie.  Add M & M's (eyes) and red hots (nose).  Press fork into dough to form whiskers.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Makes 4 1/2 dozen.

Glowing Jack-O-Lantern Cookies

1/2  cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4  teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon milk
orange and green food coloring
1 package lemon drops -- (5.5oz)

Preheat oven to 350~.  Cover 3 cookie sheets with foil.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and vanilla.  Beat in flour, baking powder and salt.  Add milk if batter is too stiff.  Color all but 1/8 of dough orange and color rest green.  Roll 1" balls from the orange dough and flatten with your hand to make a pumpkin shape.  Place on cookie sheets .  Roll stems out of the green dough and attach to the top of the " punkin".  Carefully cut out wide spaces for the eyes, nose and mouth with a knife .  Fill holes in with crushed lemon candy.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until done.

DO NOT ALLOW TO BROWN.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes and carefully peel off foil.  Note; Crush lemon drops in food processor.  If mixture becomes sticky, add a little powdered sugar while chopping.

Halloween Crisp Candy Corn Treats

1/2  cup butter
10 cups crispy rice cereal
9 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups mixture of candy corn and indian candy corn
3/4  cup miniature chocolate chips
candy pumpkins
orange food coloring

Melt butter and marshmallows; stir until smooth.  In a large bowl, mix rice cereal, candy corn and miniature chips together.  Add orange food coloring to marshmallow mixture, or squirt over cereal in bowl.  Add marshmallow mixture to cereal mixture; stir quickly to combine.  Spread on a large buttered jelly roll pan; press with buttered hands.  While warm, press on candy pumpkins
spaced 1 to 1/2-2 inches apart.  Refrigerate and cut into squares.
 

From: Jacquie97

Halloween Skeleton Cake

Make a Halloween skeleton cake that has flaming eyes - Place a sugar cube in each eye socket, then dribble liqueur over the sugar cubes, then light both cubes with a match immediately before serving.
 

 From: nchriste@mondec.monmouth.edu

 For Halloween I usually cook a "frightful" dinner in honor of the day.

 Witches fingers

 Take 1/2 boneless chicken breast and place on cutting board.  Place your  hand over it so you can use your hand as a pattern.  The palm of your  hand is to be placed on the fattest end of the chicken breast.  Cut  between your fingers to create finger-like slices in the breast.  Once  completed and it resembles a hand, place it in a plastic bag with "shake  and bake".  Once coated place on a baking sheet and spread and twist the  fingers so the breast looks like a hand with crooked fingers.  Bake as  directed on the shake and bake box.

 Hand Burgers

 These are made by preparing your favorite meatloaf and hamburger pattie  recipe.  Shape individual servings into hand shape patties.  Bake and  serve with or without a bun.
 

From:  G5dogs

Halloween Spider Cookies

One box or bag of firm, store-bought cookies such as oatmeal or sugar.  (I like to use good-sized ones).  You can use homemade.  ( I like to use the store-bought as they are more uniform in size) 
vanilla frosting, canned or homemade
large black gumdrops 
black shoestring licorice

Frost tops of cookies with frosting.  Put a large black gumdrop in center of frosting.  Attach with frosting the shoestring legs.

These next two recipes are very versatile.  I use them a lot for different holidays.  They are also great to make with kids. I have included some variations at the end.

Chocolate Nuggets

Stir 6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate into a 2 quart mixing bowl over hot water until melted.(I use semisweet chocolate chips, and microwave them, according to package directions.  When melted, remove from water and add 3 tablespoons of corn syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Stir in carefully 1/2 cup of evaporated milk, 1/2 cup powdered confectioner's sugar, 2 1/2 cups of vanilla wafers, that have been rolled into crumbs.  Mix well and let stand 30 minutes.  Then shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in finely chopped nuts, jimmies or coconut.  Place in mini cupcake liners.  Makes 3 dozen.

 For Halloween-put in Halloween mini cupcake liners after rolling in orange and chocolate jimmies.
 For Christmas-use Christmas mini cupcake liners and red or green jimmy mix or the little Christmas shapes.
 For Easter/Spring/Mother's Day-use pastel colored jimmies or mix, and pastel colored mini cupcake liners.

Haystacks

1-6 ounce package (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 of a 6 ounce package (1/2 cup) butterscotch chips
1-3 ounce can(2 cups) chow mein noodles

In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate and butterscotch chips over low heat, stirring occasionally.(I use the microwave, according to package directions.)  Remove from heat.  Stir in chow mein noodles.  Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper lined cookie sheet to form "haystacks".  Decorate with that Halloween autumn mix..the kind with the little pumpkins in it, and candy corn. Chill in refrig for 1-2 hours or until firm.  Makes about 24, depending on how big you make them.

For Christmas, drop spoonfuls onto paper, making v shaped cookies.  Put a maraschino half in the middle to make  "Rudolph" antlers.

For Easter, drop by spoonfuls and form into nests.  Put 3-4 jellybeans in the center.

Mom's Halloween Cake

Because I am nearly a Halloween baby(Oct. 30..lol), my Mom always made me a pumpkin cake for my birthday, and this was long before the days of those fancy Wilton pans.  She would use a chocolate cake mix, but would bake it in a stainless steel or pyrex bowl in the oven.  This would give it the pumpkin shape.  She would frost it with orange frosting, and decorate it like a jack o'lantern, using some crumpled up foil that she would frost with green icing for a stem.  You can serve this with choclate jack o'lantern ice cream cups.  Cut top off orange, and scoop out flesh, leaving shell.  Using a sharp knife, cut out eyes, nose, and mouth.  Fill with chocolate ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Fingers-and-Hands Ice for Halloween Punch

Another fun thing to do is to fill clean non powdered plastic/latex gloves with drinks that are sweetened with artificial sweetener, and tie off.(the artificial sweetener drinks seem to freeze better.)  Place on cookie sheet, and freeze until firm.  Carefully with scissors, cut off the gloves. watching the "fingers" as they break easily.(If one breaks, just put it to float in punchbowl...lol)  Place in punch bowl. 

Popcorn Hands for Halloween

You can also use the clear plastic gloves to make popcorn hands. (check beauty supply stores for clear plastic gloves.)  Put a piece of candy corn in each finger and thumb for nail.  Fill with popcorn.  Tie off with curling ribbon in orange and black.  If desired, add a spider ring or two.
 

From:  L61howell

"M&M's"® Plain and Peanut Chocolate Candies Cake

  2 cups "M&M's"® Plain Chocolate Candies, divided
  1 package (18.25 ounces) cake mix, any flavor
  1 1/3 cups water
  1/3 cup vegetable oil
  3 large eggs
  1 tub white ready-to-spread frosting, any flavor
  14 drops yellow food color
  7 drops red food color
  1 cup "M&M's"® Peanut Chocolate candies

  Chop 1 cup "M&M's"® Plain Chocolate Candies; set aside. Preheat oven to 325 °F. Place oven rack in lower third of oven. Grease and flour 2 1/2-quart oven proof glass bowl; set aside. 

  In large mixing bowl combine cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs. Beat with electric mixer on low speed about 2 minutes until combined. Beat an additional 3 minutes at high speed. Pour batter into prepared bowl. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour 20 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in bowl on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert cake onto rack and remove bowl. Cool cake completely. 

  In medium bowl, blend yellow and red food color into ready-to-spread frosting; set aside. 

  To assemble Jack-o'lantern cake: Slice cake horizontally into three layers. Place largest layer onto serving platter. Spread with 1/3 cup frosting; sprinkle evenly with about two-thirds chopped candies. Place middle layer on top; spread with 1/3 cup frosting and sprinkle with remaining chopped candies. Put top layer in place; frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Carefully place whole "M&M's"® Plain Chocolate Candies onto top of cake to create eyes, nose and mouth of jack-o'-lantern. Place "M&M's"® Peanut Chocolate Candies around the base of cake. 

  To chop "M&M's"® Chocolate Candies: place candies in clear plastic food storage bag. Secure bag with twist-tie as near the top as possible, releasing all air from the bag. Gently tap candies with rolling pin or kitchen mallet. 
 

 From:  gourmet1@iname.com

 Pumpkin Soup - A great Halloween recipe.

 3 Tbs. butter  1/2 cup chopped onion  2 cups pumpkin(fresh or canned)
 1 tsp salt 3 cups chicken brouth 1/2 cup light cream dash of sugar, 
 nutmet, and pepper.
 In a saucepan heat butter add onion and saute gently for 10 minutes.   Add pumpkin puree, salt, nutmeg and pepper.  Slowly add chicken brouth.   Heat through, then gradually stirn in cream.  Can hollow out a small   pumpkin and use as a festive soup tureen.
 

  From: Auntiemama

 Dirt cupcakes for School Party

 What you need are:
 enough cupcakes for entire class
 (only half full when baked)
 jello brand pudding, prepared as directed
 oreo cookies, crushed
 gummy worms

 To assemble: 
 Just place about a T. full of pudding on top of each cupcake
 Cover with small amount of crumbs and decorate with worms.
 (There are some candy sweet tarts called bones that I believe come in a small box these can be substituted for the worms).

 Ice Cubes for Punch

 I take and make some Kool-aid  with half the amount of water called for and pour it into ice cube trays, place a gummy worm inside each compartment and freeze.  That way when the ice melts it doesn't water down the punch; not that the punch ever lasts that long. lol

 One other idea that just came to mind for trick or treat or class parties is something I saw a few years ago.  Someone had taken a small piece of white material about maybe 3-4" square and placed it over a tootsie roll pop,  put on a small rubber band   to hold it in place, they then took a felt tip marker and drew a ghost face on it.  Instant Ghost on a stick!
 

From:  rogal@ptd.net

One idea I use for trick or treat:  Make rice krispie treats, being sure to make as flat as possible in the pan.  After they are set, cut into 2x2 or 2x3 pieces,  place a Popsicle stick in the bottom, dip in chocolate, orange, white, milk, etc, add a "scary" layon, sprinkle with jimmies, or your choice of nonpareils, etc.  bag and add orange and black curly ribbon.  The kids in my neighborhood think they are great!!! 
 

From:  Cannons 4

Ghost Pops

1 ripe banana
1-1/2 oz white chocolate candy
2 popsicle/craft sticks
candies  (ie mini chocolate chips or currents for eyes and mouth)
 

Remove any stringy fibers from the peeled banana, then cut in half crosswise.  Push a popsicle stick into each half through the cut end, then cover each pop with plastic wrap and freeze until firm (about 3 hours).  Next, melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl on high until candy is melted (it generally takes about 1 minute).  With a butter knife, spread the melted white chocolate on the frozen banana halves .  Set the pops on a waxed paper covered dish.  Press on candies or currants for eyes and mouth and return pops to freezer until ready to serve.  Makes 2.   I'll probably cover with sandwich bags after they're frozen, and curl orange and black ribbon around them, or write Happy Halloween in orange and black on the popsicle stick, as it is very plain looking.
 

 From: rmcolby@hotmail.com (Melissa Colby)

 My hottest hit for Halloween treats last year were my eyeballs.

 Eyeball Truffles

 Make your favorite truffles, and dip them in white candy coating.   Immediately (before coating sets) press an M&M into the top center for  the iris (I like to use blue, brown or green).    After coating sets, use red royal icing to draw the "bloodshot"   lines on the eyeball.
 These look great arranged on a platter.
 

From: Sniffy45

Babe Ruth Bars

These taste like the candy bar.

Ingredients:

1   cup peanut butter
1   cup white corn syrup
  1/2 cup brown sugar
  1/2 cup white sugar
6   cups corn flake cereal
1   cup semisweet chocolate chips
  2/3 cup peanuts

Directions:

1. Heat sugars, syrup, and peanut butter in a heavy pan until smooth.
2.  Mix cornflakes, chips, and peanuts in buttered 9 X 13 pan.
3. Pour peanut butter mixture over all and mix.  Press gently into pan.
Allow to cool.  Cut into bars.

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