5 Cute and Easy Halloween Treats

As we have officially transitioned into October and the autumn months, we have become surrounded by autumnal colors, pumpkin flavored everything, and of course, Halloween candy.

With October being associated with an abundance of sweet treats, here’s five DIY cute and easy Halloween treats to help fuel the fire.

The first easy treat is a recipe provided by Kellogg’sⓇ Rice KrispiesⓇ, named “Colossal Candy Corn.” The ingredients you will need are:

• 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine

• 1 package (10oz, about 40) marshmallows or 4 cups of miniature marshmallows

• 6 cups of Kellogg’sⓇ Rice KrispiesⓇ cereal

• Canned frosting or gel

• Candy corn

In a large saucepan, melt the butter on a low heat. Add the marshmallows to the butter and stir until the mixture is completely melted and combined. Remove the mixture from heat. Add the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal to the mixture. Stir the the mixture till it is well combined.

Using a buttered utensil or wax paper, press the mixture into a pan (preferably a 13x9x2-inch) that is either buttered or evenly coated with cooking spray. Let the rice crispy treats cool. Cut out the treats using a candy corn shaped cookie cutter. Decorated as desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

The second easy treat is “Poison Candy Apples” provided by Country Living. The ingredients you will need are:

• 12 baby Granny Smith apples

• 12 wooden candy sticks or dowels

• 1 ½ cups of sugar

• ½ cup of light corn syrup

• 1 teaspoon of black gel paste food coloring.

First, wash and dry the apples. Place each apple on a baking sheet and poke a candy stick or dowel firmly into the apple. Line a second baking sheet with buttered parchment paper and set it aside.

Place a thermometer (preferably a candy thermometer) in a medium saucepan and add the sugar, ¾ cups of water, and the corn syrup. With the temperature on a medium heat; whisk the mixture together until the sugar has completely dissolved. Allow the temperature to rise without stirring until it reaches 310℉. Remove the mixture from the heat. Remove the thermometer (careful it will be hot) and add the black food coloring.

Swirl the pan to mix in the black food coloring. Swipe, swirl, and twirl the apple through the candy, shake off the excess, and place them on the buttered baking sheet. Repeat.

The third easy treat is “Chocolate Pumpkin Witch Cupcakes” from Country Living. The ingredients you will need for the cupcakes are:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon of ground ginger

• .13 teaspoon of allspice

• 1 ⅓ cup of brown sugar

• 11 tablespoons of butter

• 3 large eggs

• ¾ cup of pumpkin puree

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Hazelnut Cream Cheese Frosting

• 6 oz black candy melts

• 12 pointy sugar ice-cream cones

• Black paper cupcake liners

For the Hazelnut frosting you will need:

• 1 package of cream cheese

• 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter

• 1 cup of powdered sugar

• ¼ cup of hazelnut chocolate cream spread

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

First, preheat the oven to 350℉.

Whisk the first seven ingredients in a medium bowl. In a large bowl beat together the sugar and butter until it is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and the pumpkin puree to the mixture. Beat to combine. Add the flour mixture and beat till combined.

Line a 12-cup cupcake tin with the black paper liners. Divide the mixture among the prepared cups, filling each approximately ¾ full.

Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or till a toothpick, when inserted in the middle, comes out clean.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Microwave the candy melts in a heat-proof bowl on high for 30 seconds, stirring at 10 second intervals. Use a pastry brush to coat the ice-cream cone with the candy melts. Set on the baking tray to dry. Cut a 1 ¾ in diameter hole in the center of a cupcake liner. Place over the ice-cream coated with candy melts to create the brim of the witch hat.

Next make the frosting (place all the ingredients and a large bowl and beat till light and fluffy). Frost the cupcakes and top them with a witch hat.

The fourth easy treat is “Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip” by Imperial Sugar. The ingredients you will need are:

• 1 package cream cheese (8 oz), at room temperature

• ¼ cup (½ stick) of butter, at room temperature

• 5 tablespoons of cocoa powder

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon of vanilla

• ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons of milk

• 2 cups, plus 2 tablespoons of sifted powdered sugar

• Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (about 10)

• Vanilla sandwich cookies

• Black decorating icing

• Candy corn and candy pumpkins

• Graham crackers, apples, or pretzels (for serving)

In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and the butter until smooth. Sift in the cocoa powder, and add the brown sugar, vanilla, salt and milk. Beat on a low speed until the cocoa powder is combined. Increase the speed until it is very well combined. Sift in the powdered sugar, ½ a cup at a time, beating slowly after each addition. After it is incorporated increase the speed and beat till light and smooth. Transfer into a serving dish.

Spread the crushed sandwich cookies over the top of the dipto form “dirt.” With icing write “RIP” on each vanilla sandwich cookie, then place them upright in the dish for “tombstones.” Scatter the candy corn and candy pumpkins over the top to decorate. Serve with graham crackers, pretzels, or sliced apples.

The final easy treat is “Halloween Candy Bark” from I Heart Nap Time. The ingredients you will need are:

• 1 package of vanilla or chocolate almond bark

• 1 cup of orange candy melts

• Optional toppings: candy corn, crushed oreos, candy eyeballs, crushed pretzels, etc.

Lay out a sheet of wax paper and get your toppings ready.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave according to your package's instructions. Pour the melted chocolate onto the wax paper.

Melt the orange candy melts in the microwave according to your package’s instructions. Place spoonfuls of the orange candy melts onto the chocolate and swirl with a knife or toothpick.

Top with your toppings immediately. Let it cool, then break it into pieces or cut with a large knife.

Candy and sweet treats play a huge role in Halloween. With these fun and easy treats you can entertain guests and satisfy your own sweet tooth.