The Best Treats For Halloween

A chill is in the air and Halloween feels like it is right around the corner; fall has arrived! There’s so many special ways to enjoy this time of year, you’ve probably already planned a few, and in case a Halloween party is on that list, we’ve compiled a list of the best Halloween treats recipes to offer to your guests- or enjoy around the house for yourself to get in the spirit!

Many of these are pretty easy Halloween treats that you can make with kids that also work as festive desserts to share at any fall occasion that calls for the presence of sweet treats.

Delight and scare friends, family, and even coworkers with these fun snacks from Halloween cupcakes to cookies with candy eyeballs!

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The Best Halloween Treats Recipes

As a kid, I will admit that this was one of my favorite holidays due to all of the Halloween parties and the fact that the parents and educators I knew all seemed to know the best Halloween treats recipes around, some of which I am going to share with you now.

You’ve got to try them all, especially the Halloween puppy chow! Some may say it’s… to die for!

Halloween Cookies

Is it just me or do the most perfect Halloween treats usually have candy eyes? I’m always thrilled for recipes that use them, and they’re so helpful for making food festive for any kids’ party hor d’oeuvres.

These Halloween cookies mix those fun candied eyes with your choice assortment of sprinkles to make for a festive treat that’s easy to make, too.

Recommended Read: Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Sauce (Starbucks Copycat)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Royal icing or buttercream icing
• Halloween sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

Begin by hand mixing 1 stick (or half a cup) of butter with one half cup light brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until yellow and blended in a large mixing bowl, adding in one egg and two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract after.

Once those two ingredients are well mixed in, it is time to get out a second, smaller bowl and add in 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.

Add half to the mixing bowl, stirring until a dough-like substance forms, then add the remaining dry ingredients to the mixture, and combine. Using a spoon or spatula, mix in ¾ cup of Halloween sprinkles. Chill in the refrigerator for two hours or overnight.

Scoop 1 tablespoon of cookie dough per cookie onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, roll them until they’re smooth balls, coat in additional sprinkles, and set the oven for 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. This recipe will make 32 Halloween cookies as long as you use a tablespoon to measure the dough balls.

3-Ingredient Ghost Cookies

Easily one of the most simple of my favorite Halloween recipes, the 3-ingredient ghost cookie snack utilizes one pack of Milano cookies, 6 ounces of white chocolate candy melts and 45 chocolate chips. It makes for a cute Halloween having these little ghouls floating around!

Carefully melt the white candy melts and dip the Milanos, adding three chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth. Considering the fact that the full recipe for these is so much fun and always a big hit, I tend to make these creamy chocolate sandwich cookies every year.

Try making this easy Halloween snack with Nutter Butters if you love peanut butter!

Pretzel Monsters

For these delicious Halloween treats that are super budget friendly for a Halloween party, you’ll need pretzels or pretzel rods, milk or white chocolate candy melts, and a teaspoon of coconut oil. To heat, simply melt in a microwave safe bowl in 20 second increments until smooth.

Experiment with red food coloring in the white chocolate! Dip the pretzel into the melted chocolate. Design with sprinkles and allow to cool and firm on a parchment paper lined tray. Using edible markers, small and big kids alike can make their own festive treat on Halloween night.

Try with dark chocolate bark instead if that’s your preferred chocolate. Fun treats like this never last long, and it’s an added bonus when easy recipes call for simple ingredients.

Halloween Popcorn Snack Mix

Looking for a fun Halloween treat to add flavor to a scary movie night this season? Take a package of microwavable unbuttered or kettle corn popcorn (whichever you like best!), some candy corn, nuts, pretzels, and combine for Halloween popcorn.

This one of my picks for the best Halloween treats recipes is fairly customizable, so get creative with sweet and salty additions!

Tombstone Cookies

Making these perfect treats for any Halloween party has always been one of my go-to Halloween dessert ideas. A cookie tombstone is unbeatable when you want Halloween cookies!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons cocoa or cacao nibs
• 6 tablespoons softened butter
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkles
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup melted semisweet or bittersweet chocolate

Directions:

Use an electric mixer at medium speed to stir together 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until well combined.

Over in a separate bowl, mix a teaspoon of salt with 3 ¼ cups of flour and 2 teaspoons of baking powder and slowly add to the wet mixture, stirring until the cookie dough forms. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Roll out the dough to be ¼ of an inch thick and use a tombstone cookie cutter. If you don’t have one, using a circular cookie cutter and then slicing off three sides works, too.

Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 8-10 minutes at 325°F, allowing to cool completely before frosting.

There is potential for a Halloween party activity here as this recipe yields a lot and frosting Halloween cookies can be made fun when you’ve got to come up with terrifying or silly names to add to each cookie tombstone with edible markers.

Orange Pumpkins

Since this is one holiday you know you’ll likely have a fun Halloween treat on, there’s no reason why we can’t plan some healthy treats as well- especially a fun Halloween treat that looks like a cute pumpkin.

Ingredients:

• 1 3 lb bag Mandarin oranges
• 2 inch piece of English cucumber or stalk of celery

Directions:

• Peel mandarins by pushing your thumb through the center of the orange and pull the skins away from the fruit. You could also use this cool tool to help you if you like.
• Cut 1/2 inch of the cucumber or celery. Lay the slice flat and cut the slice into 1/4 inch wide wedges.
• Trim the middle of the cucumber away that will leave you with a “stem”. For the celery, cut vertically for the stem.
• Push the stems down into the middle of the “pumpkin” and enjoy!

Taking mandarin oranges and transforming them into pumpkins by using the tops of matcha pocky sticks at the top are the perfect treats for any Halloween party or gathering in the fall.

Don’t have pocky? Green Mike and Ike candies are a great alternative and make for a really fresh, flavorful experience for your taste buds when mixed with the mandarin oranges.

Halloween Puppy Chow

One of my favorite things about Halloween growing up was the puppy chow my whole family would make together.

Ingredients:

Directions:

• Take one box of Rice Chex cereal and pour it into a bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat some cups of water in a double boiler to a low boil and melt 6 tablespoons of butter. Next, add in 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips, ¾ cup of creamy peanut butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and stir. Ensuring to stir gently with a wooden spoon, pour in the melted chocolate mixture a little bit at a time.
• Divide between two heavy-duty Ziploc bags and mix with ½ cup granulated sugar by closing the zipper and shaking the bag until the Chex mix is coated.
• Add another ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup Reese’s Pieces candies or candy corn. Puppy chow is such an easy way to get a festive treat onto the daily snack menu. It’ll keep in the bags in the fridge for one week and in the freezer for 3 months.

Spider Sugar Cookies

Hands down, you can’t get a more simple Halloween dessert than a cookie. Get more value from an otherwise standard package of sugar cookies by adding some frosting, Oreo cookies, and candy eyes as toppings. Use a small piping bag to draw spider legs.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 cup chocolate melting wafers
• 12 miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups
• 24 mini candy eyes

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix together peanut butter, egg, and sugar in a medium bowl. If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate mixture for 10-20 minutes.
• Roll dough into 12 1-inch balls and drop into the sugar. Roll into the sugar and place on the baking sheet. Press down with a fork to create a cross.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottoms. Remove from oven and let rest on the pan for 2 minutes.
• Place peanut butter cups on top of the cookie while they’re still warm. Allow the cookies to cool on a cooling rack.
• Once cooled, melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Cook in 30 second increments, stirring in between until melted.
• Place chocolate in a ziplock bag for the decoration. Snip off edge of ziplock bag and place two dots on top of the Reese’s peanut butter cup. Next, attach the eyes. Draw four legs on each side of the Reese’s peanut butter cup. Allow the chocolate to harden. Enjoy!

Peanut butter lovers make note that you can make peanut butter spider cookies in place of the Oreo cookies by just getting the sandwich cookies in peanut butter flavor instead! Halloween sugar cookies give chocolate chip cookies a run for their money.

Cemetery Dirt Cups

Let’s be real, some of the best Halloween candies are actually sold year round, and one of them is gummy worms. The gummy worm candy, crushed up Oreo cookies, Milano cookies cut in half, all atop Jell-O pudding cups are a simple Halloween dessert for kids and all ages to enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 boxes instant chocolate pudding mix
• 8 ounces whipped cream
• 12 Oreos, crushed
• 16 gummy worms
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

• Mix your choice of milk and chocolate pudding in large bowl and whisk until fully dissolved.
• Place the pudding in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes, or until it thickens.
• Mix in whipped cream into the pudding, mixing well.
• Layer the pudding evenly between the cups. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, or until it sets.
• Crush the cookies in a blender or in a ziplock bag, sprinkle onto the pudding mixture. Add the gummy worms on top. Enjoy!

Simple Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Cupcakes

Easy Halloween desserts can be made extra simple by just making some awesome Halloween cupcakes! This flavor-packed recipe for pumpkin cupcakes creates easy treats for the season and is raved about by pumpkin spice fans.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup ( 1 stick) softened butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup milk

Directions:

You’ll use 2 ¼ cups flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 can of pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, ½ cup (1 stick) of softened butter, ⅓ cup brown sugar, 1 cup of white sugar, and ¾ cup milk.

Achieve the pumpkin pie spices in these little Halloween cakes by adding half a teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves, and include a full teaspoon of cinnamon. Top with cream cheese frosting that’s been dyed with a couple drops of orange food coloring and complete the face with black gel frosting pens.

Up Next: 6 Spooky Vegan Halloween Dessert Recipes

I’ve been so excited to share these Halloween dessert ideas because, in my opinion, food is the best part of fall and all of the bake dessert treats are so tasty and festive! The best Halloween treats recipes are easy, fun, and nice on the grocery bill, making it easier to try more than one from our list.

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