Simple Homemade Halloween Treats

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

17 Oct 2008 06:19 AM

You can claim that they are homemade, but these treats don't take nearly the time or effort to create, thanks to good ol' fashion ingenuity. In my opinion, busy home cooks should never feel guilty for using store bought donuts or frosting instead of the made-from-scratch versions. If you have the time, energy and desire to make the following items from scratch, by all means, have at it. However, if you are working under time constraints and still want to design an elaborate Halloween party buffet then consider the following time saving recipes:

MUNCHABLE MONSTER EYES

Ingredients:

Glazed donut holes

Vanilla frosting

Gummi Lifesavers

Mini M&Ms

Red food coloring

Directions:

Frost donut holes. Press Lifesaver into top of donut; press M&M into center of Lifesaver. Color a small amount of frosting with red food coloring and use a toothpick to draw in bloodshot marks.

CHOCOLATE WITCH'S HAT

Ingredients:

2 ounces semisweet chocolate

Chocolate-coated sugar ice-cream cone

Pumpkin shaped sprinkles

Donuts (any flavor)

Chocolate icing

Sugar sprinkles

Mini Chiclets or other small hard candy

Directions:

Melt chocolate. Dip cone halfway lengthwise in chocolate. Immediately press candy pumpkins into chocolate.

Place on waxed paper and allow to set.

Frost top and side of donut with icing. Add sprinkles.

Center the open end of the cone over the donut. Stick candy pieces around bottom of cone, with icing.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup butter or margarine, at room temperature

1 16-ounce package powdered sugar

1 6-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate pieces

1 tablespoon solid vegetable shortening

Directions:

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Combine peanut butter, vanilla, butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl, using your hands. Mixture will be stiff. Shape dough into balls (use about 2 teaspoons for each ball). Place on waxed paper and refrigerate.

Melt chocolate and shortening in a double boiler over simmering -- not boiling -- water. When smooth, pour into a small bowl or measuring cup.

Remove peanut butter balls from refrigerator. Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip in chocolate so that 3/4 of each ball is covered. Return to waxed paper, chocolate-side down, and remove picks.

Refrigerate 30 minutes, until chocolate is firm and no longer sticky.

Makes about 60 balls.

Related Articles:

Sweet Treats for a Spooktacular Halloween Buffet

Ghoulish Goodies: Edible Fingers and Eyeballs

Scrumptious Spooky Treats for Your Halloween Buffet

Halloween Recipes: Creepy Chili Bones and Mutilated Zombie Cookies

Ideas For Leftover Halloween Candy

Autumn Recipes: G is for Ghoulish Goulash

Sweet Pumpkin Party Treats

Even More Cool Halloween Treats

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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