Fun Halloween Treats!

Halloween is a time of the year known for candy and treats. You do not have to be an expert cook to serve some creative and unique Halloween treats. You can easily impress guests and friends with simple but beautiful and delicious recipes.

Most parents buy prepackaged cookies and cupcakes for their child's Halloween celebrations. Try something different and add a little extra to your child's party by making a special treat.

Try the recipes below. They are sure to win the hearts of all of your little tricks and treats!

Jack-O-Lantern Snacks

Ingredients:

1 package (8 ounces) of cream cheese, softened

Red and yellow food coloring

8 large slices of dark pumpernickel bread

1 small green bell pepper

Sliced Genoa salami

Pumpkin cookie cutter

Directions:

Place the softened cream cheese in a small bowl. Add 8 drops of red and 6 drops of yellow food coloring. The food coloring should turn the cream cheese to a shade of orange. Mix well and adjust the color as you desire.

Toast the pumpernickel bread and allow it to cool. Use a large pumpkin cookie cutter (or a round metal cup) to cut out a circle from each slice of bread. Be sure to leave a stem on top. Spread the orange cream cheese over the toast all of the way to the edges. Cut the stems from the green pepper. Place the green pepper stem over the stem part of the toast. Cut out triangle eyes and a mouth from the salami. Add teeth in the mouth for a realistic jack-o-lantern look. Arrange the pieces on the toast.

Trick-or-Treat Snack Mix

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of butter or margarine

2 Tablespoons of honey

1 cup of toasted oat cereal, can be any flavor

½ cup coarsely broken pecans

½ cup thin pretzel sticks, break in half

½ cup of raisins

1 cup of M&M chocolate mini baking pieces

Directions:

Use a large heavy skillet to melt the butter over low heat. Add the honey and stir until well blended. Add the cereal, nuts, pretzels, and raisins. Stir until all pieces are coated. Continue to cook the mixture for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Spread the mixture on wax paper and let cool. Add the M&M candies. Store in an airtight container. For an extra special treat, place in snack size Ziploc bags and hand out to trick-or-treat guests. Your house will be a hit!