Add trick-or-treating to the list of things that have been ruined because of COVID-19.
If you’re anything like me, Halloween is your favorite holiday. You’re going to celebrate it even if that means getting dressed up in a costume and doing a full face of makeup just to stay inside and watch Hocus Pocus for the thirteenth time. And that’s perfectly fine.
But, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to spice up your festivities. Here are ten tried-and-true recipes to get you in the spirit this Halloween:
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
-
Recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/153245/pumpkin-spice-cupcakes/
These cupcakes will curve your seasonal pumpkin spice craving! Made with ingredients such as pumpkin puree, cinnamon and brown sugar, this isn’t your typical store-bought cake mix. If you want to take it to the next level, try making homemade cinnamon cream cheese frosting (see the recipe for more details).
- Candy Corn Cookies
-
Recipe: https://www.southernmadesimple.com/candy-corn-cookies/
Candy corn is perhaps the most controversial Halloween candy of all time — some hate it, some love it. If you’re in the latter, you will love this recipe. When you’re forming the cookies, make sure to cover the candies completely so they don’t melt. If you’re a chocolate fiend, add a ¾ cup of Dutch-processed or unsweetened cocoa powder to the cookie dough.
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
-
Recipe: https://amandascookin.com/halloween-chocolate-covered-strawberries
They’re quick to make and always juicy: chocolate-covered strawberries! This recipe can easily be replicated with a homemade double boiler or a microwave. Your chocolate strawberries are completely customizable. Ghosts? Jack-o-lanterns? Skeletons? The limit is your imagination. Use colored candy melts and edible markers to achieve the spookiest of looks.
- Dirt Cake
-
Recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/dirt-cake-8817909
Bring out your inner kid with this simple-yet-sweet classic. The best part about this dessert is that there’s no baking involved! Use Oreos for the cookie crumble so that you can eat the icing after you separate the cookies (shhh, I won’t tell anyone). Top with colorful gummy worms for faux realism.
- Spooky S’mores Bars
-
Recipe: https://www.imperialsugar.com/recipes/spooky-s-mores-bars
S’mores are a year-round treat with this no-campfire recipe. It’s the same graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow combination you love, with a twist — ghost-shaped Peeps. They’re both cute and delicious. After the marshmallows cool, you can draw faces on the ghosts with a food coloring pen.
- Poison Candy Apples
-
Recipe: https://simply-delicious-food.com/poison-toffee-apples-halloween/
What do you get when you combine Granny Smith apples, black food coloring and sugar? A spooky take on traditional candy apples. Instead of sticks or skewers, you can buy natural-looking “twigs” online. While the coating is still wet, dip or sprinkle small candies onto the apple (optional).
- Spider Web Brownies
-
Recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/halloween-brownies-5449214
Halloween-inspired brownies. Need I say more? The “spider webs” are created by stretching out melted marshmallows between your fingers. Don’t forget to top it off with delectable candy spiders; use malted milk balls for the body, chocolate-coated candies for the head, and pieces of pocky for the legs.
- Chocolate Witch Hats
-
Recipe: https://www.marthastewart.com/333189/chocolate-witches-hats
Calling all chocolate lovers! Chocolate-covered sugar cones make the perfect witch’s hat. Dip the cones in sprinkles after they’ve been coated in milk or dark chocolate for some extra pizzazz. These witch’s hats can be served on top of cookies, cupcakes or a scoop of ice cream. This recipe includes step-by-step instructions to bake cookies, but you can just watch the video.
I scoured the internet for the best Halloween dessert recipes so you don’t have to. Tag me (@briespictures) and Her Campus at UCF (@hercampusucf) on Instagram if you try out any of them. I hope you have a happy Halloween (and avoid a sugar high)!