The Halloween season is a lot of people’s favorite time of year.

It’s the perfect mixture of cool weather, festivities, and yummy treats. Here are some of my favorite Halloween recipes that are not only festive, but delicious as well.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

1 Tbsp butter
4 ounces
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
Orange food coloring
Granulated sugar as needed for rolling
Chocolate chips to go on top

1. Combine butter, cream cheese, pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, and pumpkin spice in a skillet over medium heat. Stir until thickened and combined. Stir in graham cracker crumbs and white chocolate chips until they melt, add food coloring if desired.

2. Stir until the mixture releases from the side and bottom of the pan when stirred.

3. Pour over a butter-greased baking sheet. Spread evenly and stick in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

4. Rub butter on your hands to prevent sticking, then roll the mixture into balls.

5. Pour granulated sugar into a bowl and roll the balls in the sugar to coat them.

6. Use a toothpick to create ridges and top with chocolate chips to look like stems.

Strawberry Pumpkin Pastry

Pastry dough
Strawberries
Strawberry jelly/ filling

1. Cut 2 circles out of the pastry dough, then cut a pumpkin face out of one of the circles.

2. On the circle that’s not cut out, spread the desired filling amount and place strawberries on top.

3. Lay the cut-out piece on top and press the sides with a fork.

4. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

Brain Rice-Krispies

85g salted butter
6 cups regular marshmallows
4 cups Rice Krispies
Red food coloring

1. Place ½ cup of water into a small pot and let it come to a boil. Place a large heatproof bowl over the pot of boiling water.

2. Place the butter and marshmallows into the large bowl and mix until melted and smooth.

3. Take the bowl off of the pot, then add the food coloring and mix.

4. Place the Rice Krispies inside a large mixing bowl and pour the marshmallow mixture over the Rice Krispies and mix.

5. Butter your hands and shape the Rice Krispies into an oval shape and indent it with a butter knife to create to brain look. (You can also dip a toothpick in the food coloring to draw veins if desired.)

Spider PB Cookies

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup salted butter softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together baking powder, baking soda, and flour, and set aside.

3. In a separate bowl add sugars, peanut butter, and butter. Mix until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and mix.

4. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.

5. Scoop out dough and roll into balls, roll them in sugar, and then place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

6. When you take the cookies out, immediately press the chocolate chips into the cookie upside down to form the body of the spiders, then let them cool.

7. Melt chocolate chips (don’t overcook) and use the melted chocolate to create legs. Let cool before serving.

Happy Halloween!
Be Well, Auburn.