Time goes by so quickly. Kids grow up, and have kids of their own. Friends move on, to a different state or country. It’s important to remember, and to seize the opportunities the Holiday season provide us.
When I was a kid, some of my fondest memories are of baking cookies with my Mom, the scent of sugar and flour warming the upstairs, as we talked about any and everything. We really got to know one another, during these baking sessions, and remain close to this day. As an adult, I’ve had just as many bonding sessions over the cutting board, with roommates and visiting friends, my new adopted family.
Cooking and baking can be an easy and fun activity, when you’re not sure what else to do. It can be done on the cheap, and you have complete control over what goes into your Holiday delectables, making them as healthful or as decadent as you wish.
Like treats, but feel bad about handing out sackfuls of high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives? You can make your own his year.
Here’s 10 hauntingly delicious recipes, to whet your mental appetitie.
Halloween Popcorn Treats: Looking for an update on those tired, bland popcorn balls of yore? Spice them up with marshmallows, Snickers bars, and crumbled cookies! As easy to make as Rice Krispies Treats, and they only take about an hour to make. Recipe from Food Network
Caramel, Chocolate, and Candied Apples: When I was a kid, you could only get candied applies for a month out of the year. Now you can make your own, whenever you like. They’re a bit time consuming (but most of that time is in the cooling), but the dipping is fun for everybody. As an added bonus, you can get some experience using a double-boiler, a valuable skill for any chef or baker, and this recipe calls for orange juice, rather than adding any additional sugar. Candy Apple Recipe from Food Network
Spider Bites: Have you ever wanted to eat spiders? No, of course you haven’t. Now you can, with these adorable morsels. These chocolate and peanut butter, spider-shaped cookies are bound to crank the creepiness factor of your party to 11, and are super quick and easy to make. Recipe
Spider Web Cookies: How about some webs, to go with your delicious, edible spiders? Check out this tutorial for these outstanding, stylish pastries. All you need is a web-shaped cookie cutter (or you can freehand), and some black-and-white frosting. Remember, black and white is always in.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ghosts: EVERYBODY loves chocolate covered strawberries. Give this time-honored favorite a new afterlife with some white chocolate or almond bark. Your kids (or grown-up kids) will have a blast, drawing on their little faces. Recipe From Michelle’s Journal
Pumpkin Spice Cookies: Pumpkin flavored anything is getting increasingly popular, with each passing year. People are finding a million and one alternatives to pumpkin pie. Check out these charming delicacies. All you will need is a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter. Remember, there are only 2 months out of the year where it is okay to make pumpkin treats, so don’t miss the opportunity.
Pumpkin Custard: OMG! This is SO GOOD! Essentially a crustless pumpkin pie, made with fat-free evaporated milk, this is perfect for the gluten sensitive. For added class, consider serving inside tiny pumpkin shells (like THIS RECIPE, which also looks really good). Recipe From Martha Stewart
Sugar Skulls: Want to get down with Dia De Las Muertas? Sugar skulls add a traditional flair to every event, and are a nice compliment to the typical pumpkins and witches. As an added bonus, sugar skull molds can also be used to make candles. For some of us, every day is Halloween! Recipe
Fake Blood Punch: Looking for an eerie potion to serve at your party? How about some delicious fake blood! Remember, vampires are in this year, too, so find out how to delight your sparkling guests with this short video tutorial.
Dried Fruit Turnovers: I’ll leave you with this simple, elegant offering. These turnovers, made with dried apricots, raisins and apricots, and seasoned with cloves and cinnamon, are as seasonal as they come. This recipe yields large results, around 40 cookies, so it would be perfect to make heaping platters that will gather heaps of applause! Recipe From Country Living
Don’t let the Holidays sneak past you this year. Go and make some delicious treats and delightful memories!
Many thanks to all the cooks for the recipes. Check out these galleries, for additional inspiration.
Feel free to post comments or links to pictures, if you end up using any of these. We could have a virtual party!
Happy Haunting!