7 Halloween Party Desserts That Photograph Like A Dream
Spooky Spiderweb Cupcakes
Spooky Spiderweb Cupcakes are a delightful and eerie treat perfect for any Halloween gathering. These chocolate cupcakes are topped with a creamy frosting and adorned with a fun, spooky spiderweb design that will enchant your guests and add a festive touch to your party. They are not only delicious but also a joy to decorate, making them an engaging activity for your Halloween celebration.
Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Add Boiling Water: Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, which is normal!
Fill Cupcake Liners: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter. This should yield around 24 cupcakes.
Bake: Bake the cupcakes in your preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cupcakes: Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until blended. Add heavy cream and beat until fluffy. If desired, add black food coloring to achieve a dark, spooky color.
Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost each cupcake with the buttercream frosting using a piping bag or an offset spatula.
Create the Spiderweb Design: To make the spiderweb design, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a circle around the top of the cupcake and then pipe several lines radiating out from the center to the edge of the cupcake, resembling a web.
Add Spiders: Place chocolate spider candies on top of the cupcake for an extra creepy touch.
Serve and Enjoy: Once decorated, your Spooky Spiderweb Cupcakes are ready to be served! Enjoy the mix of flavors and the festive spirit that they bring to your Halloween party!
Ghostly Meringue Cookies
Ghostly Meringue Cookies are a delightful and light treat that add a whimsical touch to any Halloween celebration. These airy confections are made from whipped egg whites and sugar, shaped into ghostly figures, and can be decorated with chocolate chips for eyes. With their crisp exterior and soft, chewy interior, they are sure to charm your guests and make for a fun and festive dessert.
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 225°F (110°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for piping.
Prepare the Egg Whites: In a clean mixing bowl, add the egg whites and cream of tartar. Make sure there are no traces of yolk, as this can affect the meringue.
Whip the Egg Whites: Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add Sugar Gradually: Once soft peaks appear, gradually add the granulated sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Continue to beat on high speed until the mixture becomes glossy and stiff peaks form. This should take another 2-3 minutes.
Add Vanilla: Once you have stiff peaks, gently fold in the vanilla extract using a spatula, being careful not to deflate the meringue.
Pipe the Ghosts: Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe small dollops onto the prepared baking sheets, shaping them into ghostly figures. Use a swirling motion to create a peak at the top for the ghost’s head.
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour. The meringues are done when they are dry to the touch and can easily lift off the parchment paper.
Cool the Meringues: Once baked, turn off the oven and let the meringues cool inside with the door slightly ajar. This helps them dry out completely and prevents cracking.
Serve: Once cooled, carefully remove the meringue ghosts from the parchment. Serve them in a festive bowl and enjoy your spooky treats!
Monster Marshmallow Pops
Monster Marshmallow Pops are a fun and festive treat that will delight both kids and adults at any Halloween gathering. These adorable snacks consist of large marshmallows coated in candy melts and decorated to look like silly monsters. They are not only a delicious dessert but also a creative activity for guests to enjoy.
Melt the Candy Melts: Start by melting the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth. If the candy melts are too thick, add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening to help thin them out.
Prepare the Marshmallows: Once the candy melts are melted and smooth, take a lollipop stick and insert it into each marshmallow about halfway through. This will serve as the handle for your monster pops.
Dip the Marshmallows: Dip each marshmallow into the melted candy melts, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow any excess candy to drip off before moving to the next step.
Decorate the Monsters: While the candy coating is still wet, immediately decorate the marshmallow pops with edible eyes, mini chocolate chips for mouths, and colorful sprinkles to create the monster’s features. Get creative and make a variety of monster faces!
Set the Pops: To allow the candy coating to set, you can place the completed monster marshmallow pops in a block of Styrofoam or a large piece of cardboard. Alternatively, you can lay them flat on parchment paper.
Let the Coating Hardern: Allow the candy coating to harden completely at room temperature. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the candy coating is set, your monster marshmallow pops are ready to be served! Arrange them on a festive platter or stick them into a container to create a fun centerpiece.
Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Enjoy these spooky treats at your Halloween celebration!
Pumpkin Patch Brownies
Pumpkin Patch Brownies are a deliciously festive dessert perfect for Halloween parties. These fudgy brownies are topped with creamy pumpkin frosting and decorated with candy pumpkins and green icing to resemble a charming pumpkin patch. They are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike!
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent it from burning.
Mix Sugars and Eggs: Once the butter is melted, remove it from the heat and stir in granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding eggs.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter-sugar mixture. Stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Add Pumpkin: Fold in the pumpkin puree until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies.
Decorate: Use the green icing to pipe vines and leaves over the frosted brownies. Arrange candy pumpkins on top to complete your pumpkin patch design.
Slice and Serve: Once decorated, slice the brownies into squares. Serve them on a festive platter at your Halloween celebration.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy these delightful sweets during the spooky season!
Witch’s Brew Chocolate Bark
Witch’s Brew Chocolate Bark is a fun and spooky Halloween treat that combines sweet, creamy chocolate with colorful toppings to create a visually enchanting dessert. This easy-to-make chocolate bark is perfect for any Halloween gathering, as it can be customizable with your favorite candies and toppings, making it both a festive and delicious addition to the dessert table.
Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring it is smooth and there are no wrinkles. This will make it easier to remove the chocolate bark once set.
Melt Dark Chocolate: Place the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Spread Dark Chocolate: Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick.
Melt White Chocolate: In another microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips using the same method as the dark chocolate. Once melted, add a few drops of orange food coloring to the white chocolate and mix until you achieve your desired shade of orange.
Drizzle White Chocolate: Using a spoon or piping bag, drizzle the orange-tinted white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer in a zigzag pattern, allowing it to create a marbled effect.
Add Toppings: While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle the Halloween sprinkles, candy eyeballs, mini marshmallows, and crushed pretzels evenly over the surface. Press down lightly to help them stick.
Chill to Set: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely set and firm to the touch.
Break into Pieces: Once the chocolate bark has set, remove it from the refrigerator. Carefully peel it off the parchment paper and break it into irregular pieces using your hands.
Serve or Store: Arrange the Witch’s Brew Chocolate Bark on a festive serving platter or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Enjoy your spooky creation!
Creepy Crawly Cake Pops
Creepy Crawly Cake Pops are a fun and whimsical dessert that’s perfect for Halloween festivities. These bite-sized treats are made from cake crumbs mixed with frosting, shaped into pops, and then coated in candy melts. Decorated with edible creepy crawlers or other spooky embellishments, they are sure to be a hit at any Halloween party or gathering.
Ingredients
Quantity
Cake mix (any flavor)
1 box (approx. 15.25 oz)
Eggs
3
Oil
1/2 cup
Water
1 cup
Frosting (any flavor)
1/2 cup
Candy melts (dark or orange)
2 cups
Lollipop sticks
12
Edible creepy crawlers (gummy worms, spiders)
As needed
Cooking Steps Instructions:
Bake the Cake: Preheat your oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box. Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray or parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. Mix according to package instructions until well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for the time specified on the box. Once baked, let it cool completely.
Crumble the Cake: After the cake has cooled, use your hands or a fork to break the cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl. Make sure there are no large clumps.
Add Frosting: Add the 1/2 cup of frosting to the cake crumbs. Use your hands to mix well until the mixture is moist and can easily hold its shape when pressed together.
Shape the Pops: Take small portions of the cake mixture (about 1 inch in diameter) and roll them into balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the mixture is shaped into cake pops.
Chill the Cake Balls: Place the baking sheet with cake balls into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until firm. This will help them hold their shape during the coating process.
Melt Candy Melts: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the candy melts according to package instructions. Heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
Insert Lollipop Sticks: Once the cake balls are firm, dip the end of a lollipop stick into the melted candy and then gently insert it into the center of each cake ball. This will help the stick stay in place.
Coat the Cake Pops: Dip each cake pop into the melted candy melts, making sure to coat it completely. Allow any excess candy coating to drip off.
Decorate: Before the candy coating sets, place the edible creepy crawlers on top of the cake pops for decoration. You can also sprinkle additional toppings or drizzles of contrasting candy melts if desired.
Let Set: Once all cake pops are decorated, place them upright in a foam block or stand to allow the candy coating to set completely at room temperature.
Serve or Store: Once the candy coating has hardened, the Creepy Crawly Cake Pops are ready to be served. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Enjoy your spooky treats!
Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats
Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats are a creative twist on the classic marshmallow treat, perfect for adding a fun and spooky element to your Halloween festivities. These treats are shaped like Frankenstein’s monster, adorned with bright green icing and chocolate details, making them an exciting dessert option for kids and adults alike.
Melt the Butter: In a large saucepan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Stir until completely melted.
Add Marshmallows: Once the butter is melted, add the 10 ounces of mini marshmallows to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
Add Green Food Coloring: Remove the saucepan from heat, then add 1-2 drops of green food coloring. Stir well until the color is evenly distributed, giving a vibrant green hue to the melted marshmallow mixture.
Combine with Rice Krispies: Gradually add the 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture. Gently fold the cereal into the mixture until fully coated, ensuring not to crush the cereal too much.
Shape the Treats: Grease your hands with a bit of butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into rectangular blocks resembling Frankenstein’s head. (You can also use a greased pan to press the mixture flat and cut out shapes once it cools).
Cool the Treats: Allow the shaped treats to cool and set for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
Melt the Chocolate: While the treats are cooling, melt the black melting chocolate according to the package instructions in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short intervals and stirring until smooth.
Decorate the Treats: Once the treats have cooled, drizzle the melted black chocolate over them to create hair and other features. Use black frosting and a piping bag (or a plastic zip bag with a corner clipped) to add details like bolts and facial features.
Add Candy Eyes: Finally, press candy eyes into each treat to complete the Frankenstein look. Let the decorations set before serving.
Serve and Enjoy: Once everything is set, arrange the Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats on a platter for a spooky Halloween treat that everyone will enjoy!
