It used to be that kids looked forward to Halloween all year long, innocently, endlessly pleased by tiny Hershey bars, small packets of M&Ms, or even a single grape-flavored Tootsie roll pop.
And while kids still go crazy for a fruitful night of trick-or-treating, nowadays it seems Mom (or Dad) doesn't stop with a few bags of store-bought candy. Instead, it's all about bringing your A-game to the sweet holiday, turning out sometimes elaborate, always whimsical treats.
While no one's expecting you to whip up a batch big enough to dole out to all of the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood (but if you did, you win!), try one of these recipes for a Halloween party or festive weekend project.
Image via Chelsea's Messy Apron
Dirt Pudding Cupcakes
These pudding-filled cupcakes are almost as delightful as the tiny ghost marshmallows on top.
Bloody Halloween S’mores
S'mores aren't just for summer campfires. The addition of a little red icing makes Dawn's Bloody Halloween S'mores both spooky and seasonally appropriate.
Melted Witch Bark
If the Wicked Witch of the West melted into a tiny pool of green chocolate and left behind an Oreo hat and peanut butter cup pretzel stick broom, we'd love her too. Lily's Melted Witch Bark is equal parts clever and yummy.
More from CafeMom: 5 Pumpkin Spice Cocktails That Kick Your PSL to the Curb
Candy Corn Pudding Pops
Made with white chocolate and vanilla pudding and a touch of honey, Melissa's Candy Corn Pudding Pops are a fun twist on the iconic candy.
Four-Ingredient Bats
It only takes four ingredients to whip up Chelsea's sweet little bats, and mini peanut butter cups and thin Oreos means eating one won't break the caloric bank. (If you can stick to one, that is.)
Poison Candy Apples
The inky black dip on these "Poison" Candy Apples is actually just a mixture of corn syrup and sugar, but it makes for an impressively dramatic Halloween centerpiece.
More from CafeMom: 10 Delish Pumpkin Dessert Recipes to Try This Fall
Zombie Brain Cupcakes
Pureed beets lend a beautiful red hue to this spiced cake, and Bren's Zombie Brain Cupcake recipe includes a helpful tutorial for turning simple pink icing into zombie-approved brains.
Cinnamon Sugar Flour Tortilla Crisps
Cinnamon sugar toast may be a classic breakfast treat, but the bat-shaped Cinnamon Sugar Flour Tortilla Crisps by Simply Recipes are a Halloween-inspired spin perfect for pepping up any time of day.
Almond Shortbread Owls
Almonds, sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips transform plain shortbread cookies into adorable round owls.
More from CafeMom: 14 Terrifying Halloween Cakes Almost Too Scary to Eat
Trick-or-Treat Cookies
Elise's beautiful cookies may have a few extra steps, but the results — surprise tiny treats spilling out of each center — make it all worthwhile.
Butterbeer
Something about fall feels like the right time for Harry Potter's favorite drink. Channel the gang at the Three Broomsticks by sipping this five-ingredient take on Butterbeer.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies
If you like your brownies with some extra appendages, these spidery brownies by Cookies and Cups is just right for you!
Marshmallow Lollipops
What's better than a regular lollipop? A giant marshmallow version covered in candy and sprinkles, of course.
More from CafeMom: 8 Holiday Ice Cream Sandwiches That'll Put Your Cookies to Good Use
Candy Bark
The eyeballs add just the right dose of creepy to Jamielyn's Halloween Candy Bark.
Oreo Jack-o-Lanterns
Your child will love decorating these orange chocolate-covered Pumpkin Oreos with goofy eyes and big toothy smiles. And let's face it, so will you.
Monster Cake Cookies
Is that cookie staring at me? Boxed yellow cake mix is the secret ingredient in Lil' Lili's playful, totally delicious Gooey Monster Eye Cookies.
Rice Krispies Candy Corn
As if rice crispy treats weren't great enough alone, Alison turns hers into candy corn with dark and white chocolate and a little orange food dye.
Mummy Mallows
The bloggers at Home Made Interest use Jet-Puffed "stacker" marshmallows (meant for s'mores, so they're flat) to achieve their perfectly square-headed Mummy Mallows.
Spooky Deviled Eggs
If the term "Deviled Eggs" weren't scary enough, try making them marbled and use avocado in the filling to make them look like something rotten … and delicious.
Jell-O Worms
All it takes is some straws, a mason jar, and some Jell-O and you've got one of the creepiest Halloween snacks around.
Frankenstein Brownies
Give your basic brownies a freaky layer of frosting and transform them into Frankenstein's monster just like that. We love the easy recipe over at Like Mother, Like Daughter.
