For some people, Halloween is only a few months away and is something to look forward to. For a slightly smaller but no less enthusiastic group, the excitement lies less than a month after Halloween on November 19^th. At midnight on this day, several ecstatic kids, young adults (the O.G. fans) and even some older members of society will all gather at their local movie theater to see Part I of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – the first part of the last book in the Harry Potter series. This is a great way to celebrate this Halloween or even on the eve of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I premiere if you are a fan of Harry Potter.

If you are a big fan of Harry Potter, feel free to read on. If you only watch the films, SPOILER ALERT: reading on may spoil the last film for you!

I am a die-hard Harry Potter fan. Reading the books since the age of 9, I have literally grown up reading the series and watching the films. Now, at age 21, the films seem to be coming to a bittersweet end right along with my childhood. Although my cake art leaves something to be desired, I hope that this delicious baked treat idea will add some much needed fun and joy to a most beloved series, holiday and soon to be the end of a book series and film legacy.

I think this is a delicious treat for any Harry Potter themed Halloween party or as a great treat before heading off to the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I premiere. I used basic yellow cake mix that I purchased at Stater Brothers; any cake mix will do though. Just make sure you love the flavor of cake that you decide on!

I chose to use Betty Crocker’s Hershey dark chocolate frosting as the last of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a dark one and, of course, because chocolate is delicious! I then used gel icing in green and black from Cake Mate to create 7 Horcrux decorations with the gel icing on each of 7 cupcakes. They are really a bit pathetic as I’m not the best cake artist and this gel icing is difficult for detail use. I recommend purchasing the detail gel icing from Michaels or any other local craft store because the quality is better. So if you’re a perfectionist, opt for a craft icing brand.

If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, this same treat idea can be applied to anything you like, any other series or show for Halloween or to traditional Halloween designs i.e. pumpkins, ghosts and witches. Any of those would work really well and be a lot of fun for adults and kids alike. Below are photos of the cupcakes and the meaning of each design.

Voldemort’s Seven Horcruxes

Each of these seven horcruxes, created by murder, holds a small piece of Voldemort’s soul. Top from the left to right: Lightning Bolt represents Harry Potter himself, the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, the Gaunt ring with the sign of the Hallows on it, and Nagini Voldemort’s snake. Bottom from the left to right: the Slytherin locket, Tom Riddle’s diary, and lastly, the Hufflepuff cup.

Horcrux #1: The Diary

Go ahead and laugh. I did. This was really fun to create, but obviously, LOL, the design was not what I had imagined. I hope you can do better than me. This is supposed to be Tom Marvolo Riddle’s diary. The same one destroyed in book #2 or film #2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Horcrux #2: Hufflepuff’s Cup

This is representation of Hufflepuff’s cup, stolen from Hepzibah Smith along with Slytherin’s locket.

Horcrux #3: Slytherin’s Locket

This is representation of Slytherin’s Locket, also taken by Tom Riddle (Voldemort) from Hepzibah Smith.

Horcrux #4: Gaunt’s Ring

Owned by the Grandfather of Tom Riddle (Voldemort), Marvolo Gaunt, this ring was taken by Tom Riddle (Voldemort). He killed them and took the ring.

Horcrux #5: The Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw

The Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, originally owned by Rowena Ravenclaw, was stolen by her daughter Helena, was hidden in Albania so her mother could never find it. Charmed by Tom Riddle (Voldemort) who she told of the diadem’s location, Tom Riddle then traveled to Albania where he transformed this priceless Ravenclaw heirloom into a horcrux. He then hid the horcrux within Hogwarts in the Room of Requirement.

Horcrux #6: Nagini

The origin of where Nagini came from is unknown, but the significance to the snake loved by Voldemort is in his ability to speak parseltongue. This is the ability to communicate with snakes.

Horcrux #7: Harry Potter

The lightning bolt represents the Boy Who Lived and the scar that has so defined much of his life. Many have guest and the last book and film confirm it: Harry Potter is the last horcrux. Unintentionally created by Voldemort the night Harry Potter’s parents were murdered. Even Voldemort does not know Harry Potter holds a piece of his soul within himself.

Any ideas what happened after I beautifully designed all of these lovely cupcakes?

This is what was left!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic

This Halloween is approaching quickly and like many, I love to dress up and either attend a party or host one of my own. Many ideas come to mind about what my costume will be, how to decorate my home and most importantly since I am over 21, what drinks to serve!

Although at best I can only be considered a social drinker, I love to enjoy thirst-quenching themed cocktails, non-alcoholic and alcoholic, on my most favorite holiday of the year. It’s for this very reason that I have collected a great list of my favorite drinks that can be enjoyed by anyone over 21 and some that may be enjoyed by all.

Although the directions and ingredients are listed, feel free to get creative and garnish your drinks with the ultimate complements: Gooey Flavored Eyeballs, Vampire Jelly Teeth, Flavored Slime, Etc.

Here is a great Halloween Shaker you can use to mix any or all of these dreadfully delicious drinks (I can’t find this available anymore, but check and see what Amazon has):

Scream Soda (Alcoholic)

This alcoholic cocktail will make you scream in delight! A nice amber colored drink filled with dark, mysterious spirits is perfect for your breaks in between dancing to the Monster Mash!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 Oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
• 5 Oz. Lemon Lime Soda

Directions: Combine all ingredients with ice into a tall glass and stir until mixed thoroughly. Garnish with small pieces of lemon and lime.

*Any lemon lime soda is fine; 7Up, Sprite or Sierra Mist work well or their Diet counterparts work well as a lower calorie alternative!

The Black Widow (Alcoholic)

Are you newly single due to the “untimely” death of your significant other? Was your lover tragically murdered? Are you dressed to kill? If so, this is the perfect cocktail for you! This is a great cocktail for all those who are murderously marvelous and looking for an extra stiff drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 Oz. Blavod Black Vodka, Chilled
• 3 Oz. Chilled Cranberry Juice

Directions: Fill a small martini glass (or your glass of choice) with ice. Pour the Cranberry Juice over the ice. Gently lay the Black Vodka over the juice. Serve.

*Garnish with marschino cherries soaked in corn syrup (simple syrup/agave nectar syrup are healthier alternatives) with red food coloring.

Swamp Water (Alcoholic)

Have you ever been lost in the swamp and coerced by faeries to drink the swamp water? Next thing you know, you and your friends wake up 3 days later underground, covered in vines and no recollection of how you got there? If you want a uniquely flavored drink that promises to take you up the beanstock and into a Grimm Faery Tale, this is the drink that will make it happen.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Oz. Spiced Rum
• 10 Fresh Mint Leaves
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• Juice of 1/2 a Lime
• 2 Oz. Club Soda
• Splash of your choice of Dark Cola

Directions: In a your glass of choice, combine the lime juice, mint and sugar. Smash together to bring out the mint’s juice and break up the leaves. Add ice to your glass, then pour the rum over the ice.Add club soda and cola to give it that slimey swamp flavor!

* Feel free to add your choice of Ghoulish Garnish such as Blackberries or whatever you like.

The Ghost (Alcoholic)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 Oz. Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka
• 1/4 Oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
• 1/4 Oz. Half & Half
• 1/4 Oz. Simple Syrup

Directions: Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until mixed thoroughly and strain into your choice of glass.

* For extra fun, add white chocolate garnish to the rim of the glass and freeze your glass of choice to get the steamy, foggy effect.

Zombie Punch Bowl (Alcoholic)

Zombie punch is just like any average, everyday viral infection and it’s ready to turn all unsuspecting victims into flesh-eating zombies! Bring out your primal instincts this Halloween with Zombie Punch!

Ingredients:

• 2 Fifths Dark Rum
• 2 Fifths Light Rum
• 1 Fifth Bacardi 151 Rum
• 2 Pints Triple Sec
• 3 Quarts Lemon Juice
• 1 Quart Grenadine

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher with ice. Let chill for an hour in a refrigerator without ice or out with ice. Make approximately 80 Servings.

Vampiro (Alcoholic)

The ultimate refreshment for any immortal creature of the night. No need to breathe, just down this drink to revitalize your energy and enliven your supernatural senses once again!

Ingredients:

Syrup:

• 2 Cups Sugar
• 2 Cups Water
• 1/4 Cup Dried Hibiscus Flowers
• 2 Inch slice of Ginger, unpeeled

Cocktail:

• 4 Cups White Tequila
• 2 Cups Lime Juice, Strained
• 1 Cup Triple Sec
• Cubes of Ice, As needed or desired
• Thin sliced Lime to be used as garnish

Directions:

For the Syrup: Bring all syrup ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring occasionally. Strain and refrigerate til chilled.

For the Cocktail: Combine the Tequila, 2 Cups Hibiscus Syrup, & Triple Sec in a pitcher. May be refrigerated a day ahead of time, then served the next day.

To Serve: Fill a shaker with ice and add vampiro cocktail as desired. Shake well. Strain and serve straight up or with ice and lime garnish.

Alice in Nightmareland Drink (Alcoholic)

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to take a trip down the rabbit hole? Have a delightful tea party with the one and only Mad Hatter? Now you can, with a dark twist! Experience the night life of Wonderland with this curious and curiouser cocktail!

Ingredients:

• 1 Part Blue Curacao
• 1 Part Jagermeister
• 1 Part Kahlua

Directions: Pour all ingredients over ice or into a shot glass.

Ghoulish Graveyard Punch (Non-Alcoholic)

Want to call spirits and ghouls to party with you and your kids on Hallow’s Eve? If not, you can still enjoy this delightfully green spritzer while watching scary horror flicks or hosting a family Halloween party! Whatever you do, this will be a ghoulishly great addition to your night!

Ingredients:

• Lime Slices
• 1 Liter of Lemon Lime Soda
• 5 Tablespoons of Lime Grenadine

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a pitcher  and serve over ice in single glasses or place all ingredients in a punch bowl for self serving.

Harry Potter Butterbeer (Non-Alcoholic)

I don’t know about you, but I am HUGE fan of Harry Potter! Millions of kids around are all big fans and with good reason. As a complement to any Harry Potter theme costumes or parties, this drink is sure to be a big hit! If nothing else, it tastes delicious and will bring a smile to any child’s face at the magic involved in this Harry Potter Butterbeer.

Ingredients:

• 1 Pint Vanilla Ice Cream
• 1/4 Cup Butter at room temperature
• 1/2 Teaspoon Butterscotch Extract
• 1/4  Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 1 Quart Apple Cider
• Apple Slices (Optional)

Directions: Beat together ice cream, butterscotch extract, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon with a mixer until well distributed. Pour into a container and freeze. When ice cream mixture has refrozen, heat apple cider in a pan until steaming hot. Put one-three scoops of ice cream mix into a tall glass. Pour hot cider over ice cream mix and add apples if desired.

Alienade Drink (Non-Alcoholic)

This drink is out of your world! Literally. Made for humans and extraterrestrials alike and encompasses the greatest tastes in the milky way!

Ingredients:

• 1 8-12 Oz. Glass of Lemonade
• One Drop Blue Food Coloring
• One Drop Green Food Coloring
• Ice Cubes, as needed

Directions: Add ice cubes to a glass and pour desired lemonade into glass. Add one drop of Blue food coloring and one drop of Green food Coloring. Stir to distribute color. Enjoy!

While Halloween is always fun for adults, it’s the kids who absolutely delight in all things creepy and scary. Add to their fun this year, both at parties and just for some every day Halloween excitement, with these Spooky (and delicious) Snacks!

Ghost Cookies

• 20 Oreo Cookies
• 1 Tub Vanilla Frosting
• 60 chocolate chips

Spread a generous layer of frosting onto the top of each cookie, using your knife to draw off the excess in a ghostly “tail”. Add inverted chocolate chip eyes and mouth and plate up for some sweet scary fun!

Witches Hat Crispy Treats

• 2 cups puffed rice cereal
• 4 Milky Way or Mars Bars
• 1/2 cup butter
• Witch Hat Cookie Cutter

Melt the butter and candy bars in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the cereal and turn to coat completely. Pour the mixture into a lightly greased pan and press into the corners, making sure the surface is fairly smooth. Once the cereal bars are cool, cut out witches hats using a cookie cutter or simply cut into triangles with a sharp knife.

Mummy Dogs

• 8 Hot dogs
• 1 package crescent rolls

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Unroll the crescent rolls but do not separate the triangles. Instead, use a pizza cutter to cut 16 thin strips. Starting at the top of the hotdog, wrap one strip around, leaving a gap for the “face” and continue wrapping down the hotdog. Use a second strip of dough to wrap up in the opposite direction creating a criss-cross effect. Use a skewer to poke “eyes” before placing in the oven on a lined cookie sheet. Bake for 9 minutes or until the dough has turned golden.

Ice Cream Witches

• 1 tub mint chocolate chip ice cream
• 8 chocolate ice cream cones
• Black liquorice shoestrings
• Chocolate chips, jimmies and other small candies

Place a large, rounded scoop of ice cream onto each serving plate. Use the candies to create the “face” for the witch and the liquorice stings for hair. Top with an ice cream cone “hat” and serve up to your favorite little goblins!

Halloween has in recent years spread across the Atlantic to the boot shaped peninsula known as Italy.   Although the Italians do not celebrate Halloween per se, they do have their own rituals and festivities which are not all too far off.

One of these festive and colorful holidays is All Souls Day.  It comes on the day after All Saints Day which is November 1st and honors the fallen Saints.   However All Souls Day honors all those who have died.  It is an Italian celebration which is not focused on death, as in a morbid fashion, but on honoring loved ones who have passed on.

Although these two holidays are not the same, there is one major similarity – the use of food.  Just as our Halloween involves the practice of handing out food to children as they come knocking on our door, the Italians also incorporate the practice of food giving to children on All Souls Day.   However, in their ritual, the children leave food and lit candles outside to “guide and feed” the souls of those in purgatory who revisit the home during the night.  In some regions the tradition is for children to leave their shoes outside the front door only to find them stuffed with gifts later.

One popular cookie sold in bakery stores throughout Italy is called, Bones of the Dead.   Every region in Italy seems to have their own unique version of this cookie.

A very simple Tuscan version of this cookie is as follows:

BONES OF THE DEAD

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup hazelnuts chopped

2 cups sugar

2 egg whites

juice of a lemon

Instructions:

Combine the flour, egg whites, sugar and juice in a large bowl.

Next, add in the nuts and mix together until a dough consistency forms.

Roll the dough into the size of 2 inch wide logs and cut in 2-3 inch lengths.

Flatten or shape to resemble bones.

Lay flat on a floured cookie sheet (spray the sheet with cooking spray and then lightly flour)

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes.

Let cool.

For a Chocolate Chip Version:

Ingredients:

2 egg whites at room temperature

2/3 Cup confectioner’s sugar

1/4 cup fine semolina flour (plus more for later)

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped almonds.

Instructions:

Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form.   This can be done with an electric mixer on high speed for about a minute.

Slowly add in half the sugar while beating until whites are stiff.

Fold in the rest of the sugar, flour, chocolate chips and almonds and mix gently.

Line your cookie sheet or pan with parchment paper.  Otherwise grease and lightly flour the surface.

Create bone shaped cookies with the dough, about 3 inches in length and 1 1/2 inches wide.  Place on the cookie sheet.  Remember these will expand so space accordingly.

Bake at 300 degrees F for about 30 minutes until cookies are dry.

Let cool.

Drizzle  with a melted chocolate mixture of chocolate and butter.  Either dip the bottom side in, or drizzle with the chocolate.

Let dry and enjoy!

Other Halloween Ideas Using Italian Food

If you want a more familiar Italian theme food for your Halloween party, try these:

HALLOWEEN CANNOLIS

The easiest way to create cannolis is to buy premade shells.

For the filling:

10 oz. ricotta cheese drained

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Orange food coloring

Always fill the cannolis the same day you plan on serving them.  If you make them in advance the shells will become soggy.   You can make your filling the day before, and then simply fill the shells just prior to your party.

Mix all the ingredients except the chips, until it is light and airy.  You can use a mixer or food processor, such as a cuisinart 11 prep or for this.  Or you can just mix it by hand the good old fashioned way.

When finished gently fold in the chips.

Fill the shells with the mixture.  A tip is to pour the mixture into a plastic bag and then snip one of the corners, thus creating a makeshift pastry bag.   Use this to squirt the filling into the shells.

This recipe can also be used during other holidays, such as Christmas and makes a great Italian Christmas gift or contribution for attending parties.  Instead of orange food coloring try green or red.

As with many Italian desserts, remember to serve with coffee or espresso.  Especially dry cookies, like the Bones of the Dead cookies, are great when dipped in a latte.

If you do not make your own espresso using appliances like an Alessi espresso maker, to prepare your espresso, regular coffee should suit your guests just as well.

This article was contributed by Liz T. Krause, publisher of simpleitaliancooking.com.  Although she grew up in an Italian household, it wasn’t until later in her married life with her Italian husband that she began to appreciate the joy of Italian cooking.

Want a special Halloween menu for a simple, scrumptious meal to enjoy after Trick or Treating with your clan? Here’s a simple meal that you can make easily that’s totally in the “spirit” of the season! Get your little ones in the Halloween jammies (my favorites? Check CWD Kids) and Hanna Andersson) and munch away. Of course, you’ll have to keep your kids out of their treat bags so they’ll be monstrously ravenous!!!

Jack-O-Pizza

This special dish will make one and all smile with delight. The crust is made of cooked egg noodles, topped with a savory and hearty meat sauce, and decorated as a happy face.

Ingredients Needed:

• 8 oz. packaged fine egg noodles
• 3/4 pound of lean ground beef
• 16-oz can of tomato puree
• 1 envelope Onion-Mushroom soup mix
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 3 eggs, beaten well
• 10 oz. mozzarella cheese, finely shredded
• Green and/or red pepper

Method:

Cook the noodles according to the package directions; drain. Reserve 1/2 cup for the “hair” garnish on your pizza.

Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, brown ground beef and drain. Stir in tomato puree, onion-mushroom soup mix, oregano, and garlic powder. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the noodles, eggs, and 2 cups of cheese. Press mixture evenly into a greased 12-inch round pizza pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 or until lightly browned.

Take out the pizza “crust” and spoon the sauce mixture over. Garnish the pizza to form a happy face: use remaining cheese and pepper pieces for eyes, mouth, and nose. Add reserved noodles for hair. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until heated through. Makes 6 servings.

Jack-O-Brownie

This is a super simple idea which makes it an example of how little touches can turn the ordinary into extraordinary! You can make this earlier in the day or the day before so you won’t need two pizza pans of the same size. This is also perfect for parties and school functions.

Ingredients needed:

• Your favorite Fudge brownie mix
• Brown and green M&M candies
• White frosting
• Candy Corn
• Orange slice candy
• Green gumdrop, if desired
• Food coloring

Method:

Mix your brownie mix as directed on the package. Pour batter into a greased 12” round pizza pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely and carefully remove from the pan onto a large platter.

Next, tint the canned frosting orange using red and yellow food colors. Have your kids come on in for the fun of decorating the Jack-O-Brownie. Using brown M&M candies, form triangles for the eyes. Do the same with green ones for a nose. Make a mouth by standing up more of the brown M&M candies to form a smile. Add a row of candy corn above and below, touching the brown candies.

Finally, add candy orange slices for eyebrows and a large green gumdrop for the stem. (I often just improvise by putting some brown candies up there as I don’t want to buy a whole bag of gumdrops when only one is needed).

Voila! A BOO-TIFUL way to serve up some chocolate brownies!

Looks like play dough? Check. Smells like candy? Check. Great for Halloween? Check. Tastes great? Yummy! Edible play dough is such a great thing. Kids can play with it and eat all they want (because there is no sugar, and they will get their fill quickly). The recipe is quick and adjustable, and even better it can be used with ‘butters’ other than peanut butter!

Playdough Ingredients

Making home-made play dough is simple:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup honey
• 2 cups powdered milk
• Optional: Food coloring gel paste (various colors – decrease the honey proportionately when substituting coloring gel.)

Mix these all up until the texture is workable. It takes about 10 minutes total. Plan ahead what you would like to make, and separate into small clumps. Mix the food coloring gel as desired to each clump – orange for pumpkins, green for pumpkin vines and leaves, etc.

In the pictures below, you can see we made these fun, spooky pumpkins. The kids helped out, and it took about an hour or so. The recipe is easy to double or decrease as needed. We followed the recipe and learned a few things:

• It makes A LOT.
• If you want to use gel food coloring like we did, decrease the honey proportionately. We put the gel in after it was mixed up and the pumpkins were all droopy.
• If you chose to work with something besides peanut butter, start with smaller amounts of powdered milk. We used Nutella for one batch and found that using equal parts was just too much powdered milk. We ended up putting some honey in so that it was a useable mixture.

Since the kids were done for the day and mom had a mess to clean up we wrapped the ‘play dough’ in a cling wrap and set it aside. When we decided to use it again, we rolled it out between sheets of wax paper and used cookie cutters.

We used milk chocolate on the peanut butter version and white chocolate on the Nutella batch. A little bit of chocolate seems to go a long way with this play dough. If you use too much, the flavor of the peanut butter gets lost. With the white chocolate and Nutella it didn’t do much at all except to muddy the hazelnut flavor further. But since kids don’t really care about that its not a big deal. The “cookies” turned out pretty good, though. They could be a very nice gift for a neighbor or co-worker during the haunting season!

Play dough pumpkins!

Are you like me? Does Halloween form the basis of many of your favorite childhood memories? It was absolutely magical for me as a child. Now that I’m a parent, I try to bring that level of excitement to my own munchkins. I’m no craft-happy homemaker (don’t I wish?!) but I do try to piece together some special times during the season. Traditions form the fabric which weaves the happiest, richest holiday memories. I know, I know. Life is insane. There’s so much to do and so little time in which to do it. Work. PTA. Household chores. Community functions. Volunteering. Same here. The key is to plan a few simple things that will stay in your little ones’ hearts forever. Here are a few ideas that we use in our household to make it a memorable Halloween holiday season:

Gather Leaves as a Family and Decorate your Home!

Hunt for that perfect pumpkin… and take pictures!

The first event every year is to go on a long walk and gather fall leaves. Do this as a family. The leaves become decorations and crafts in my house. I do the old “wax-paper-with-iron” trick and make sure the prettiest leaves are “preserved” for the whole autumn season. They decorate my mantle, some bookshelves, and our dining room table. We do this at the beginning of October when the leaves are starting to turn and, again, closer to Halloween. It gives the family a chance to get some fresh air and exercise together. We also have occasion to see the progression of the season in the most concrete of ways.

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

We also make an event out of pumpkin picking. Whether you go to a local farmer’s market, a pumpkin patch, or even your neighborhood grocery store, make it a real event. I have pictures of this yearly undertaking and cherish them. My children wear autumn colors or actual Halloween-themed clothing. What a blast we have! Each child gets to pick out their favorite pumpkin, be it large or small, perfectly round or as crooked as a gourd. Take pictures! It’s fun to see how the childrens’ tastes change over the years. After, we come home, enjoy warm apple cider and hot cocoa, and place the pumpkins prominently as indoor decorations while awaiting Halloween-Eve carving.

The Halloween “Advent” Calendar

Every year in September, we make our annual Halloween “Advent” calendar. We make it together as a family (yes, even Dad gets drafted to make a few days’ add-ons to the calendar!) Our calendar-making ritual allows us to keep the anticipation of Halloween at the forefront every day of October. Because we start in September, the season stretches just a bit longer as well.

Bringing Home the Pumpkins!

Even Baby gets into the act!

Halloween Snacks and Meals

Because free time is sparse with the start of the school year and all that comes along with it, I buy round, ready-made sugar cookies. Add a touch of orange tint and some candies for the face — and you have precious pumpkin cookies that take no time to create! Finally, we always have the same kids-favorite meal on Halloween itself, before we head out for Trick or Treating fun. I make a homemade vegetable beef soup that’s warm and cozy (my delicious recipe is below.) You can make any dish your family particularly enjoys. The key is to have it be your annual tradition, much like ham at Easter or (gag me!) fruitcake at Christmas. With just a few events, you can turn a one-day holiday into a season of joy for your family. Plan just a few yearly rituals and you can ensure your children remember Halloween with a warm glow, too. Happy Halloween!

The Author’s Happy Halloween memories!

“Hubble, bubble, a dead man’s stubble, …
A poisoned well became my task,
A fog crowned night in stealth I crept
And in the vacant mouth I poured
A leprous flask of blasted sin.”

William Shakespeare, Macbeth

You will love serving this delightfully cheesy brew instead of the same old Mexican cheese dip. And the crunchy breadsticks for dipping allow your guests to stir at the cauldron and pick up the pieces of flesh and bone in this warm, rich concoction with the distinct flavor of autumn. Serve this in a hallowed out pumpkin for a stunning presentation!

Ingredients to gather for your brew

• 1 package of chipped beef, chopped
• 1 can of condensed mushroom soup

• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 chopped green pepper
• 1 chopped large onion
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of ketchup
• 1/4 pound of shredded cheddar cheese

To make the brew

Sauté the chopped onion and pepper in the melted butter. Add the condensed soup, Worcestershire sauce, chopped chipped beef, and grated cheese. Heat until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are thoroughly combined, stirring constantly.

Pour into a heated dip server, or serve in a hallowed out pumpkin. Serve with crunchy breadsticks or tortilla chips. Yummy!

The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out! I dare you to enter this dark, spooky graveyard and dig in the dirt. When you do, you will discover worms and the slimy (but yummy!) layers beneath the dirt.

This gelatin concoction is great for kids’ parties. It is fun and simple for kids to make. The result is a festive, colorful presentation and a combination of flavors and textures that is completely delectable. It looks gross, but isn’t that the point?

Ingredients

• 1 package orange flavored gelatin
• 1 small package of whipped topping
• 1 package of chocolate pudding
• 1 package of thin chocolate cookies
• 1 package of rectangle shaped vanilla or shortbread cookies
• 1 package of gummy worms
• Tubes of decorator frosting (the kind you write with)- optional
• 1 glass 13×9 in baking dish

Prepare gelatin according to package instructions (if you are impatient, use the quick set instructions). Pour into the bottom of the glass baking dish. Add some gummy worms and refrigerate until completely congealed.

While waiting for gelatin, crush the chocolate cookies between pieces of wax paper or rind them in the blender or food processor (this will be your dirt). Set aside.

Prepare the pudding according to the package directions and cool in the refrigerator.

Take the rectangle cookies and use the decorator frosting to write graveyard sayings on the top half of the cookie (the short sides being the top and bottom) such as “RIP” and “Here Lies Crazy Joe”. Decorate 12 cookies. Set on cookie sheets to allow the frosting to dry.

Once the gelatin is completely ready, remove from the refrigerator. Add a layer of shipped topping on top of the gelatin neatly scraping the excess of the sides of the pan to create a layer equal in thickness to the gelatin and as even as possible on top. Then add a layer of chocolate pudding the same way.

You should now have 3 layers that look even through the sides of the glass pan. On top of the pudding, sprinkle the crushed cookies to make a layer about 1/4 inch in thickness. Decorate by sticking the gravestones (the cookies you decorated) into the top so that the decorated part sticks out. Starting on the short end of the baking dish, make 4 rows of 3 gravestones, so that when you cut it, each person gets a gravestone on his piece. Sprinkle the top with the remaining gummy worms. If you wish, you may also add other gross candy (like eyeballs) that you find in a novelty or Halloween store.

Serve chilled by cutting into equal squares. Serves 12.

Boo! What is a Halloween party without a little haunting and some magic? This ghost will surprise and delight guests of any age when you turn off the lights and let the flaming eyes dance and dazzle. It will be spooky!

Not only is this cake simple and fun to make but you will find yourself using this very easy chocolate dump cake for all of your recipes. It is almost as simple as a mix, yet it turns out a moist, rich chocolate cake that will have everyone asking for more!

Ingredients

For the Halloween cake

• 1 cup of boiling water
• 1/2 cup softened butter (cut into pieces)
• 1/2 cup of cocoa
• 2 cups of sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For marshmallow frosting

• 2 egg whites (reserve shells)
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup of light corn syrup

Utensils

• Pastry brush
• 1 13x9x2 inch baking pan
• Large mixer bowl
• Electric mixer
• Rubber scraper
• Toothpicks
• Wire cooling rack
• 16×12 inch serving tray or breadboard covered with aluminum foil
• Ruler
• Wax paper
• 2 sugar cubes
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• Sharp knife
• Spatula
• 1 string of black licorice

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Prepare baking pan

Rip off a piece of wax paper a few inches greater than the size of the pan. Use a knife or half of your kitchen shears to trace around the bottom of the pan. Cut the wax paper along the traced out line.

Grease the sides and bottom of the pan with shortening. Lay the wax paper on the bottom of the pan.
Grease the wax paper. Sprinkle some cocoa (not what you have measured for the recipe) in the pan and shake the pan until the cocoa covers the bottom and the sides (you may also use flour, but the cocoa is better for chocolate cakes).

Into a mixing bowl, dump boiling water, butter pieces, cocoa, sugar, flour, eggs, salt, baking soda and milk mixture, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer for 3 minutes. Pour into greased baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a knife comes clean and cake pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then completely on the wire rack before frosting.

To make the marshmallow frosting

Beat egg whites and salt with electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add sugar, about 1 teaspoon at a time beating until smooth and glossy. Continue beating and add corn syrup a little at a time, beating after each addition until the frosting peaks. Fold in vanilla. This recipe makes enough to cover a large cake.

Assembly

After the cake is cool, measure across one short edge and mark the center with a wooden toothpick. Measure 4 inches down each long edge and mark with picks.

Cut the cake between the center wooden picks in a curve to make a rounded top for the ghost’s head. Slide the cut corners down the sides to about the center of the cake. Turn the corners so the cut sides are up, to make arms that look as if they are reaching out to you. Attach the arms to the sides of the cake using some of the frosting (or royal icing if you have it handy). Frost the cake with the spatula. Use the round end of the spatula to make peaks in the frosting to give the ghost a spookier look.

Place the 2 egg shell halves you reserved round sides down on the cake for the eyes. Place one sugar cube in each shell half. Make a mouth out of licorice string.

Just before serving, pour ½ teaspoon of lemon extract over each sugar cube. Light the eyes.

Remember to turn off the lights- it will be spooky!