WE WON

Best Coffee IN LAKEWOOD/EAST DALLAS

SWEET & SPOOKY HALLOWEEN TREATS

Halloween is hands-down one of the sweetest holidays of the year and truly one of the best times to bring out your creative side. Sweet treats, healthy snacks, fizzy drinks and the cutest packaging around top off any Halloween party. Here are my top eight ideas to get you started.

1. WITCHES’ STEW

There is nothing fancy about this recipe. Actually, there is no recipe. Just mix together whatever snacks you have in the pantry — such as pretzels, goldfish, candy corn, marshmallows and chocolate chips — to satisfy the hungry witches in your family.

2. COOKIE CRITTER POPS

And the winner is …

Union Coffeehouse

A comfy place to sit, reliable Wi-Fi, and a strong cup of coffee. Union Coffeehouse consistently offers all three, but these probably aren’t the only reasons why Advocate readers voted it best in the neighborhood.

Since opening on Dyer Street two years ago, the church-funded nonprofit coffeehouse has set out to do far more than sling cups of Joe. As soon as you walk in you will notice private rooms complete with whiteboards available for meetings, a stage for weekly open mic events — or poetry slams plus several couches and armchairs for more casual gatherings.

The inviting, communal ambiance is no accident.

Founder and pastor Michael Baughman

(his official title is community curator) says that he has set out to “make the neighborhood a more generous place.”

One way Union does just that is through fundraising. Through the end of the winter, 10 percent of sales will be donated to Dallas-based nonprofit The Family Place.

And what’s good to drink? Aside from fairtrade drip coffee and lattes (flavored with homemade syrup, to boot) there are snacks, green tea lattes and a chai tea that Baughman says has to be the best in Dallas.

Union Coffeehouse, 5622 Dyer, Suite 100, 214.242.9725

Runner-up: White Rock Coffee

3rd Place: Legal Grounds

NEXT UP FOR ADVOCATE’S 2014 BEST OF CONTEST: Best dessert. Vote for your favorite at lakewood.advocatemag.com/bestof

These chocolate-dipped Oreos on a stick will surely spook your guests. Decorate them with black licorice to create spider legs, or add a candy eyeball to make a cute one-eyed monster.

3. CANDY CORN PRETZEL STICKS

Old-fashioned candy corn is a childhood favorite, but with a month full of sugar, you might want to throw something salty into the mix. Candy corn pretzel sticks are dipped in white chocolate with yellow and orange food coloring.

4. TANGERINE PUMPKINS AND BANANA GHOSTS

Halloween gives everyone an excuse to eat endless amounts of candy. Throw in a healthy twist with tangerines and bananas