Creative Halloween Snacks and Treats

Halloween is just weeks away and you know what that means, don't you?  It's time to start researching ideas for snacks and treats for your child's class party.  As a former room parent for both of my daughters, I can tell you from experience Halloween parties are a BIG deal for students.  Not only are kids looking for the perfect costume, they look forward to a day of playing games, making crafts, and feasting on Halloween themed snacks and treats. A legitimate concern for parents is the amount of sugar their children will consume during Halloween and during school parties.  Efforts at providing food that is balanced with not only sugary treats but with healthier options are appreciated. During last year's parties I saw individual bagged popcorn, lots of fresh fruit, vegetable trays, cupcakes or cookies, and no candy being served.  Drink options were limited to apple juice or water.  By limiting the treats to a minimum, students were happily eating fruit and vegetables, and I didn't hear anyone complain. I searched the web and found some great ideas for both savory and sweet Halloween ideas to inspire you.  I've also included two simple recipes which can be made with your elementary aged child. If you have a Halloween snack or treat I missed, feel free to share it with us in the comment section.  I know parents everywhere will appreciate inspiration and ideas to help them bring their best to this years Halloween party.  If you have other friends who are searching for great ideas for Halloween, don't forget to share this page with them too!Chocolate Covered Pretzels Chocolate covered pretzels are a quick and easiest treats to make.  For Halloween I thought it would be great to make ghost themed pretzels by using just white candy coating, pretzel rods, and a black marker (Americolor Gourmet Writer) made specifically for edible designs. Candy coating is very easy to work with.  The package comes in little bricks which melt very easily in the microwave and stay a smooth consistency for a long time.  Melt the candy coating according to package directions in a microwave safe mug, then dip each pretzel in the melted chocolate.  Lift the pretzel away from the cup and allow any excess to drip off.  Place coated pretzels with chocolate side up in a cup.  Allow 15-20 minutes to dry before drawing funny faces on each one.  Chocolate coating should be dry to touch before applying ink to it.  If you don't have a marker, you can melt some chocolate chips in the microwave and use a toothpick like a paintbrush to gently draw faces. Children can dip chocolate as well as draw faces.  This is a fun activity for families to do together. Monster Mouth Apple Slices Who said apple slices should always be boring?  They're not here.  Cut each apple in quarters and cut away the core.  Cut a small wedge on the skin side of the apple.  Dip apples in lemon water or diluted orange juice to help keep the apples from turning brown.  Gently press slivered almonds in to both sides of the wedged apple for scary looking teeth.

Great Halloween Ideas Around the Blogosphere

This spooky black bean hummus recipe from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen is nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.  Kids and grown-ups alike will appreciate a savory option to counterbalance the sweets. These bread stick mummy hot dogs by Picky Palate probably wouldn't work to serve during a class Halloween party but certainly would be well received at a home party.  This recipe uses pre-made bread stick dough to make it a simple and fun. Bakerella's spooky cake pops are almost too cute to eat.  These Halloween inspired treats would be welcomed and devoured by kids of all ages. These Halloween themed chocolate covered caramel apples by Distracted Homemaker are extraordinary.  I've never seen anything quite like them.  Have you ever seen orange tinted candy corn cookies? Me neither.  Check out this great recipe from Bridgette at Bake at 350.  She is the queen of decorated cookies and also has other great Halloween cookie ideas on her site. If you have time and love a creative challenge, these Halloween themed cookies from Annie's Eats would make lovely party favors. I keep hearing rumors about the cupcake craze being over.  I don't know about you but with cupcakes as gorgeous as these, I hope the craze lives on forever.  Check out these beautiful Halloween cupcakes with detailed decorating instructions from Tiffin Tales.  She has really great step-by-step photos and directions to help you. For anyone who prefers a layer cake over cupcakes, this amazing Halloween pumpkin layer cake by I Am Baker comes complete with a candle made of cake inside.  How did she do that?  She shows you how in her beautiful post.