No Tricking with These Halloween Treats

Halloween casts a spell every year that makes us crave all things spooky, sweet, and, okay fine, pumpkin spiced. Between carving pumpkins, assembling our costumes, and marathoning all three “Halloween” movies, we need to consider the menu for the evening. Leave the bagged candy for the other trick-or-treaters—your crew deserves a cut above the rest. These Halloween treats put a focus on seasonal flavors, festive colors, and because it’s only once a year, sugar.

Whether you’re cooking for just the family or hosting a ghoulish gathering, these easy-to-eat snacks and sweets balance sweet with savory, and they taste better than anything you’ll get in a Halloween bucket.

The Lee Brothers’ Cheese Straws

Call these bright, orange cheese straws jack-‘o’-lantern fingers for a kid-pleasing treat. Adults, alternatively, need no encouragement to eat this Southern party staple. 

Curry Sweet Potato Hand Pies

These spiced, savory hand pies put Halloween colors in the spotlight with the pumpkin-colored filling and black sesame seed topping. The recipe includes directions for how to make the pastry pockets, but you can also use frozen puff pastry or phyllo dough.

Deviled Country Ham

This classic deviled country ham spread makes a wickedly delicious addition to your array of Halloween treats. Try it as a dip for crackers or serve it with sliders. 

Nachomama Cornbread

This isn’t your plain ol’ cornbread. These ochre-colored nuggets get pan-fried into small bites with a charred, crunchy exterior and rich batter inside. 

Smoked Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

It’s not Halloween without chocolate! Crunchy pretzels pair with a smooth peanut butter base to give these bars an addictive texture, and the smoked chocolate evokes sensations of fall bonfires.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

It’s not just a Halloween treat—we love this pumpkin pie ice cream because it’s the ideal dessert for any fall gathering. Make a big batch and enjoy during Halloween, Thanksgiving, and spur-of-the-moment dinner parties.

Apple Flapjacks

These portable pies are the perfect treat for kids as they roam the neighborhood. Make extra to have for the week: The crispy crust enveloping stewed apple filling makes these flapjacks a winning breakfast, dessert, or midday snack. 

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Pecan Toffee

This cake does Halloween right with its decadent combination of pumpkin, chocolate, and toffee. Don’t let its beauty trick you: this showstopping dessert is deceptively simple to make.

Apple Butter Oatmeal Cream Pies

Reminiscent of Little Debbie’s classic, this apple butter-infused cookie sandwich works as a more dressed-up version of the lunchbox staple. Serve it at your Halloween gathering as a party favor that carries the treats into the next day.