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Halloween spider cookies. Photo: iStock
Your little monsters will delight in making (and eating) these spookily delicious Halloween treats. From Frankenstein brownies to peanut butter and chocolate (eye)balls, we have all the ingredients for a howling good time!
1. Spider cookies
These spider cookies from Sumptuous Living are a creepy twist on a peanut buttery classic. The secret? Whoppers! After baking, place a larger Whopper for the body and a smaller one for the head on each cookie while they're still warm, so they melt and stick. Add chocolate “legs,” and you’ve got a festive Halloween treat.
2. Caprese crostini ghosts
If your little goblins appreciate a savory bite with their sweet treats, this ghostly appetizer from the Food Network will be a hit. Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to make mozzarella ghosts stamped with balsamic eyes for these festive crostini topped with tomato, basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Pro tip: Bring your cutter to the store to find the perfect sized log of cheese.
3. Boonana pops
Give your guests a scare by making easy and healthy frozen “Boo-nana” pops featured at the Healthful Pursuit blog. All you’ll need are some just-ripe bananas, popsicle sticks and raisins (for the eyes). Freeze them up, and serve. Your little monsters will have fun chasing each other around the house with their ghostly friends.
4. Apple monster mouth
This is probably the easiest Halloween treat there is, in fact the kids can even help with these ones. All you need are some apples, nut or sunflower butter and some seed or nuts for the teeth (add candy eyes and a strawberry tongue if you’re feeling fancy). Check out Eazy Peazy Mealz for the full instructions.
5. Oreo spiders
The kids will want to help with this one as these cookie spiders are so much fun to make. You’ll just need some Oreos (Doublestuff works best), shoestring licorice, some M&M’s and a tube of store-bought icing. Kids will love chopping up the licorice, sticking on the colorful eyes and making their own unique spider. Head to the Bless This Mess blog for the recipe and some extra tips.
6. Peanut butter and chocolate eyeballs
This Halloween, all eyes will certainly be on these peanut butter and chocolate goodies from Autumn at It’s Always Autumn. There are few combinations more delicious than chocolate and peanut butter, making these a surefire hit with the kids. Part of the fun for your little ghouls will be hand-rolling the yummy mixture into “eyeballs” and then dipping them into melted chocolate.
7. Mummy cookies
This All Hallows’ Eve, say “Boo!” with these mummy treats made from Oreo cookies. Use melted white candy melts to create the mummy look and candy eyes to create the face. The cookies travel well, so they’ll work perfectly at any trick-or-treat get-together! Head to Confessions of Parenting for the full recipe.
8. Frankenstein brownies
Rich, fudgy brownies make this Halloween sweet treat as tempting as it is frighteningly fun. For an extra spooky good time, have the little ones finish each “Frankenbrownie” with red decorating gel or frosting for a bloody effect. Get delectable brownie recipes and the how-to at Hot Chocolate Hits.
9. Skeleton bones
Give your family a fright with these realistic-looking skeleton bone candies made out of pretzels, marshmallows and white chocolate. To recreate these devilishly delicious treats, you’ll want to follow the easy instructions Laura outlines on her blog Family Spice. From assembling the “bones” to stirring the melted chocolate, your children will get a kick out of making these!
10. Halloween glove treat bag
What could be easier than this? Delight the kids with these creepy-cute Halloween treat bags from Abeer at Cake Whiz. Pick up some semi-transparent gloves at your local drugstore and have fun with your little ghouls and boys filling each one with your favorite candies! Check out the full post for tips and a step-by-step guide.
11. Spooky woods marshmallow pops
Kim Schob came up with this fun and easy Halloween treat idea that’s perfect for a busy family looking for a quick and festive way to celebrate the holiday. All you need is a few minutes and a little imagination! To make your own, get the complete recipe and instructions at Kim’s website.
12. Coffin crisp mummies in a graveyard
Who dares to eat these creepy coffin candies? Everyone, that’s who! Mom Jennifer, author of Mom vs The Boys, used snack-size bars and melted white chocolate to achieve the the terrific mummified effect. Your kids will have a screaming good time making the “dirt” and “tombstones” with some surprising ingredients.
13. Googly-eye Halloween cupcakes
These terrifying treats are almost too adorable to eat — almost. Bring the fun and excitement of Halloween into your kitchen by letting your little goblins personalize their own spooky cupcakes. The blog Sweet C’s Designs offers a simple step-by-step recipe, a list of supplies and scary good decorating ideas, too. They’re just as fun to make as they are to eat!
14. Pumpkin spice jack-o’-lantern Rice Krispies treat pops
We can’t get enough of these ghoulishly great Jack-o’-Lantern Rice Krispies treats from Beth at Hungry Happenings. You’ll need a silicone pumpkin mold to create the festive shape and, of course, Rice Krispies cereal (generic puffed rice cereal brands will do fine, too). Dip them in pumpkin spice candy melts — or any delicious seasonal flavor of your choosing — and done!
Best of all, these treats will add a little extra thrill at your fright-night party!
Editor’s note: This article was previously published in 2022 and was updated by ParentMap’s editorial team in October 2024 with new recipes and photography.