Jessica Forrester

5Halloween Recipes Fangtastic

BY JESSICA FORRESTER

As a kid, my favorite holiday was Halloween. (And, it still is! Candy ... what’s not to love?) My mom’s best friend, whom I call my second mom, always went a few steps further than just giving out candy. Each year, her kitchen table was filled with themed snacks, punch and goodie bags, and I looked forward to stopping at her house most.

Naturally, when we bought our first house in 2020, I was excited to give out candy to trick-or-treaters in our subdivision. The pandemic had different plans, but, thanks to my second mom, I knew just how to celebrate. We moved last year — not in a subdivision, so we probably won’t have any trick-or-treaters this year either — but I will be continuing my spooky spreads tradition.

If you’re like me, you started seeing Halloween treat ideas on Pinterest in August. But, if you haven’t been inspired yet, search for spooky charcuterie boards. That’s a trend so beautiful and fun, I hope it’s here to stay. Whether you’re planning a night in, a Halloween party or looking for activities to do with your kids, check out these Halloween-themed recipes (and jokes … that may haunt you). You’ll be goblin up this eeriesistible spread of goodies in no time.

Mummy Dogs

What is a ghost’s favorite street food? Haunt dogs. Ingredients

• 1 can croissant dough • 1 package hot dogs • mustard or ketchup

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Using one section of dough for each, wrap hot dogs to look like mummies, leaving an opening for the eyes. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, or until light golden brown. Place dots of mustard or ketchup for the eyes.

Note: Make mini mummy dogs by cutting the dough and hot dogs into smaller pieces.

Creepy Hands

What did the bucket of popcorn dress up as on Halloween?A kernel.

Ingredients

• 8 cups popped popcorn • candy corn • 6 clear food handler’s gloves • ribbon or twist ties • 6 plastic spider rings

Directions

Place candy corn inside the end of each glove finger. Pack gloves with popcorn. Close gloves tightly at wrist and tie with ribbon. Place rings on one finger on each hand. Makes six bags.

Note: These are great Halloween party favors. If you’re distributing to trick-or-treaters, fill gloves with individually wrapped candies instead.

Trick or Treat Punch

What did the orange say when the costume contest was canceled? All zest up; no place to go. Ingredients

• 46 ounces pineapple juice • 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed • 6 ounces orange gelatin • 2 liters ginger ale (or two bottles of champagne) • 1 plastic, food-grade glove • 2½ cups Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush • 3 cups water

Directions

At least one day ahead, fill a glove with Hawaiian Punch. Tightly secure the top of the glove with a twist tie or rubber band. Cover a baking sheet with paper towels. Place the glove on the baking sheet and use a bag of frozen veggies (or anything else you have in your freezer) to elevate the tied end of the glove to prevent leaking. Freeze overnight.

When ready to serve, bring the water and gelatin to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in pineapple juice and orange juice concentrate. Pour into punch bowl and add ginger ale. Cut the glove away from the ice and float the frozen hand in the punch.

Witch’s Brew

What is a witch’s favorite dessert?Ice scream.

Ingredients

• 2 cups apple cider • 1½ cups vanilla ice cream • 2 tablespoons honey • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions Spider Web Dip

What do ghosts order at Mexican restaurants? A boo-rito.

Ingredients

• 1 package cream cheese, softened • 8 ounces salsa • ½ cup guacamole • 2 tablespoons sour cream • blue corn tortilla chips

Directions

Place cream cheese and salsa in a blender or food processor; blend until almost smooth. Spread mixture into a round serving dish or pie plate. Smooth guacamole over top, leaving a ½-inch border around the edge. Place sour cream in a resealable bag. Cut off a tiny corner of the bag and pipe sour cream in 3 circles (with one additional dot in the middle). Run a tip of a butter knife or a toothpick through sour cream to make a “spider web.” Serve with blue corn tortilla chips.