A child dressed as a ghost holding ghost cupcakes, several mummy Rice Krispies treats, a jar of spider web chocolate covered apples, and several plates of glow-in-the-dark jello.

These Halloween recipes are as easy to make as they are impressive to behold! Certain to elicit oohs and aahs as well as shrieks and squeaks from ghosts and goblins and ghouls of all ages.

Halloween. It’s back better, bigger, and scarier than ever. Whether you’re donning a costume (you’re never too old for dress up), hosting or attending a Halloween party, or taking the kids trick or treating, you need to make these treats.

All of them are dead easy (see what I did there?) to make, and kids and adults love them. Use them as treats for a party, as homemade trick-or-treat booty, even as a surprise gift for your kid’s school Halloween celebration.

For us? Well, The One loves chocolate, so the Graveyard Cupcakes and Halloween Hot Chocolate are on the menu.

Boo, baby!

The word "David" written in script.
Nine Halloween mummy Rice Krispies treats with googly candy eyes on a black background.
David Leite
1 of 13

Halloween Mummy Rice Krispies Treats

Halloween mummy treats are both spooky and sweet treats that are also a cinch to make. Melt some chocolate, dip some Rice Krispie squares, and decorate. Perfect for sharing with your favorite little monsters.
Recipe
Three graveyard Halloween cupcakes with mini pumpkin candies and crosses on a piece of slate.
William Lingwood
2 of 13

Graveyard Halloween Cupcakes

These graveyard Halloween cupcakes are easy to make, can be made the day before, and are perfect for your Halloween party. Store-bought cupcakes and roll-out cookies mean that all you're really doing is decorating (the fun part!)
Recipe
12 graham cracker squares topped with various candy bar pieces.
Molly Gilbert
3 of 13

Candy Bar S’mores

“Fun-size” Halloween candy definitely fits the bill (I’m into mini Kit Kats and Almond Joys or regular-size Reese’s cups), but luckily, leftover candy from Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas make it possible for us to have creative holiday-themed s’mores year round.
Recipe
Halloween meringue bones piled on a paper plate and scattered on a black cobweb tablecloth beside the plate.
Amy Lv
4 of 13

Halloween Meringue Bones

Halloween meringue skeleton bones are a scary sweet that's perfect for kids of all ages, whether you decorate a cake with them or pass them out at your All Hallow's party.
Recipe
Several plates with fluorescent glowing Jello molds.
Georgia Glynn Smith
5 of 13

Glow in the Dark Jello

Glow in the dark Jello shots (or larger party centerpieces made in a Bundt pan) are an essential party trick that’s part science project, part Halloween decor, part nifty excuse to knock back some gin and tonic in unique form under black lights. Here’s how to make them.
Recipe
A child dressed as a ghost, holding a ghost cupcake in each hand.
Georgia Glynn Smith
6 of 13

Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

This Halloween ghost cupcake recipe makes it easy to turn cake, frosting, and fondant into cupcakes shaped like ghosts. The perfect spooky sweet for kids of all ages.
Recipe
Four chocolate covered apple slices with a spider web design in a jar.
David Leite
7 of 13

Halloween Chocolate Covered Apple Slices

These chocolate dipped apple slices are a simple way to get your kids into the Halloween spirit. Easy enough for them to make, with a little help, these treats come together quickly and look amazing even without a lot of decorating skills. They're the perfect treat for a Halloween party, trick-or-treating, or munching when no one is looking. Oh, did we mention that they taste great, too?
Recipe
A white mug of hot chocolate on a white sauce with two pieces of chocolate nut bark beside it.
8 of 13

Halloween Hot Chocolate

Halloween hot chocolate is simply leftover Halloween candy and milk melted in a saucepan. Sorta genius, yes?!
Recipe
Four cupcakes with chocolate icing, topped with chocolate wizard hats.
William Lingwood
9 of 13

Wizards’ Hats Cupcakes

These wizards’ hats cupcakes for Halloween are made with your favorite homemade or store-bought cupcakes, frosting, sugar cones, sprinkles, and candy. Inspired by Dumbledore.
Recipe
An Irish coffee mug filled with butterscotch beer with foam on top and a drizzle of butterscotch sauce.
Alana Al-Hatlani
10 of 13

Butterscotch Beer

Made with simple ingredients and not too much mess, these sweet and creamy lemon-lime drinks are sure to be a hit with everyone, kids and adults alike. No one can resist the combination of flavors and the foamy texture.
Recipe
Leftover Halloween candy bark broken into pieces.
Andrew Purcell
11 of 13

Leftover Halloween Candy Bark

Leftover Halloween candy bark takes those bottom-of-the-bag bits and repurposes them into something altogether inspired. Use your favorites or any combination that tickles your fancy.
Recipe
Four meringue ghosts on a bed of candy corn on a black cake stand.
Leigh Beisch
12 of 13

Halloween Meringue Ghosts

These ghostly Halloween meringue cookies are a kid favorite. The meringue is piped from a pastry bag–easy peasy–and then the ghosts are given chocolate chip eyes and baked to set their spooky shape.
Recipe
Several chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and candies on top on a wooden chair.
Yuki Sugiura
13 of 13

Halloween Candy Cupcakes

These candy cupcakes are a perfectly over-the-top way to celebrate anything, really. It doesn't even need to be Halloween, you just need a few handfuls of your favorite candy.
Recipe

Continuing your festivities into the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos? Check out these Day of the Dead Cookies or this Day of the Dead Bread recipe. Either (or both!) of these would be a welcome addition to your celebration.

#leitesculinaria on Instagram

If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We’d love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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About David Leite

David Leite has received three James Beard Awards for his writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.

Read More About Me

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