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
Ingredients
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix together frosting and food coloring until well combined.
Unwrap Hershey’s Kisses and place rounded teaspoon of frosting on the bottom of the Kiss.
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.
Place on your treat of choice and enjoy!
#SpoonTip: Angle the hat slightly — it creates a more convincing hat-effect.
Pretzel Pumpkins
Ingredients
Instructions
In a microwave safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and coconut oil.
Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until just melted. Stir until smooth.
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.
Using a fork, dunk each pretzel into the orange melted chocolate so that it is fully covered.
Tap off excess chocolate and place on wax paper.
While the chocolate is still wet, place a chocolate chunk on the top as a pumpkin stem.
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.
Shattered Candy Glass
Ingredients
Instructions
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
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!
Remove from heat and carefully pour onto wax paper-lined cookie sheet so it spreads evenly.
Let cool completely until hardened.
#SpoonTip: If you’re short on time, put it in the freezer.
While candy glass hardens, mix honey and food coloring to form u0022blood.u0022
#SpoonTip: If your u0022bloodu0022 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.
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.
Stick candy glass shards into prepared treats of your choice and drizzle with u0022blood.u0022
#SpoonTip: For a more dramatic contrast, use on lighter colored desserts.
These Halloween treat toppers are the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and step up your baking game. Happy haunting!