Halloween may seem a long way away, but fear not: it’ll be here before you know it. That means that it’s never too early to start brainstorming ideas for decor, costumes, and best of all, yummy treats for your annual Halloween party! But it’s also important to keep health in mind and come to a balance. Luckily, we’ve compiled a few simple and tasty treats you can create this season that will keep the family happy without causing the unneeded sugar rush. Here are just a few creative Halloween treats that don’t have any tricks!
Chocolate-Dipped Banana Ghosts
Bananas are a favorite for picky eaters of all ages, and they’re incredibly versatile as well. PopSugar has the perfect way to cool off while tantalizing your taste buds by cutting bananas in half, dipping them in dark chocolate, and freezing them. Once frozen, you can add ghost eyes and a mouth with a bit of peanut butter or yogurt. There are many ways to personalize this recipe with some of your own favorites. To add an extra level of natural sweetness, consider drizzling the frozen chocolate-dipped banana in some honey: Americans consume about 1.3 pounds of honey per person per year, and honey makes the perfect natural sweetener in countless treats and recipes — especially those involving fruit.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Oatmeal
If you haven’t already taken out your crockpot for fall, now’s the time! This truly may be the most fall-sounding dish ever created, and its taste is sure to follow suit. About 54% of Americans over age 18 drink coffee every day, but waking up to the smell of this delectable fall favorite is sure to get you out of bed faster than even the most caffeinated cup o’ joe. Its ingredients include steel cut oats, pumpkin puree, apple, almond butter, maple syrup, nuts, and some spices. Again, this dish can be personalized and suited to fit your tastes, so don’t hesitate to get creative in the kitchen. Find the recipe here.
Boo Cups
This tasty treat comes in multiple varieties as well, but it uses just a few main ingredients: Instant pudding mix, milk, whipped cream, and crushed Oreo cookies. And for those who are wondering, yes, these boo cups are just as delicious as their name is adorable. But for the healthier version, omit the cookies, use orange gelatin, and replace the whipped cream with low fat cool whip. However you make this, remember that there are three main types of hazards or contaminants that can cause unsafe food: biological, chemical, and physical. These treats do contain dairy, so they should be kept refrigerated to avoid potential contamination. Now that would be scary! For the full recipe, visit Kraft Recipes.
Irish Whiskey Pumpkin Pie
Okay, this treat may not be as healthy as the others, but it’s unique and exciting enough to earn a place on this list. Believe it or not, pumpkin pie is quickly growing as a popular dessert option in Ireland, Europe’s third biggest island. So it should come as no surprise that they’ve put their own special twist on the traditional recipe by including just a bit of authentic Irish whiskey. This adds a one of a kind flavor that’s truly something spooky. For the full recipe, check out IrishCentral, which also has a suggestion for how to make this recipe suitable for any time of the year:
“You can make this recipe at any other time of year by substituting butternut squash or sweet potato instead of pumpkin. Their texture and taste are almost the same when flavored and cooked,” writes Zack Gallagher.
Ultimately, there’s no limit to the creative concoctions that become possible during this time of year. You still have plenty of time to experiment, so start cooking up some tasty Halloween treats today!
