Recipe

3 Simple, Spooky Halloween Treat Toppers

By Claire Tromblee at University of California – Berkeley

Halloween is the one time of year when it is socially acceptable to gorge ourselves on candy whilst looking like a zombie (apart from finals week). The smell of candy corn and alcohol fills the air as parties are in full swing, and for some, the urge to bake overtakes every other emotion.

Instead of bringing a six pack to your friend's costume party, bake (or buy — we won't judge) a sweet treat like these red velvet cupcakes and top it with one of these spooky and impressive dessert decorations.

They take only a few ingredients and can be made in minutes, and will ensure that your party food isn't left out of the costume fun. 

Cookie Witch Hats

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Total Time: 2 mins
  • Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • 4 Hershey's Kisses
  • 4 Keebler's Fudge Stripe or other chocolate cookie
  • 2 tbsp vanilla frosting
  • 2 drops green food coloring
  • 1 drop blue food coloring

Julia Hedelman

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix together frosting and food coloring until well combined.

Julia Hedelman

Step 2

Unwrap Hershey's Kisses and place rounded teaspoon of frosting on the bottom of the Kiss.

Julia Hedelman

Step 3

Place each Kiss frosting-side-down on the underside of each Fudge Stripe cookie, pressing slightly so the frosting sticks out in a belt around the Kiss.

Julia Hedelman

Step 4

Place on your treat of choice and enjoy!

#SpoonTip: Angle the hat slightly — it creates a more convincing hat-effect.

Julia Hedelman

Pretzel Pumpkins

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 7 mins
  • Servings: 25
Ingredients
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 4 drops red food coloring
  • 6 drops yellow food coloring
  • 25 mini pretzels
  • 25 chocolate chunks

Julia Hedelman

Step 1

In a microwave safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and coconut oil.

Julia Hedelman

Step 2

Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until just melted. Stir until smooth.

Julia Hedelman

Step 3

Add red and yellow food coloring to melted chocolate and mix until the color is fully incorporated.

#SpoonTip: Play around with the color until you're satisfied — if it's too light, add more red; too dark, add more yellow.

Julia Hedelman

Step 4

Using a fork, dunk each pretzel into the orange melted chocolate so that it is fully covered.

Julia Hedelman

Step 5

Tap off excess chocolate and place on wax paper.

Julia Hedelman

Step 6

While the chocolate is still wet, place a chocolate chunk on the top as a pumpkin stem.

Julia Hedelman

Step 7

Let harden completely at room temperature, place on treat, and enjoy!

#SpoonTip: Turn a cupcake into a mini pumpkin patch by leaning multiple pretzel pumpkins on each other.

Julia Hedelman

Shattered Candy Glass

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 17 mins
  • Servings: 24
Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 drops red food coloring

Julia Hedelman

Step 1

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Julia Hedelman

Step 2

Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.

Julia Hedelman

Step 3

Boil for about 15 minutes or until the temperature reaches 300°, stirring constantly.

#SpoonTip: If you don't have a candy thermometer, wait until the mixture has just started to thicken and has a slight pale-gold color. Do not let it get too golden, though, or the glass will not appear clear!

Julia Hedelman

Step 4

Remove from heat and carefully pour onto wax paper-lined cookie sheet so it spreads evenly.

Julia Hedelman

Step 5

Let cool completely until hardened.

#SpoonTip: If you're short on time, put it in the freezer.

Julia Hedelman

Step 6

While candy glass hardens, mix honey and food coloring to form "blood."

#SpoonTip: If your "blood" is too thick, add 1/4 tsp of water to thin it out. If it is too light, add a drop of blue food coloring.

Julia Hedelman

Step 7

Break the candy glass into pieces with your hands, or, for a more shattered effect, tap large pieces with a hammer or the ends of scissors.

Julia Hedelman

Step 8

Stick candy glass shards into prepared treats of your choice and drizzle with "blood."

#SpoonTip: For a more dramatic contrast, use on lighter colored desserts.

Julia Hedelman

These Halloween treat toppers are the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and step up your baking game. Happy haunting!