Halloween is right around the corner. From finding costumes to hanging decorations, the spookiest season of the year can be a lot of fun. But when pounds of fun-size candy bars get old, it’s hard to find the perfect sweet treat to turn to. To help you get in the spirit, Pipe Dream presents three unique concoctions that are sure to yield some seriously Instagram-worthy results.
Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients:
-¼ cup of pumpkin puree
-6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal
-½ tsp of cinnamon
-½ tsp of pumpkin pie spice
-3 tbsp of butter
-4 cups of mini marshmallows
-Orange food coloring
-Mini tootsie rolls.
Instructions:
First, place your pumpkin puree on a few paper towels to eliminate some of the moisture. Melt your butter on the stovetop in a large pan on medium low. Add your marshmallows and a few drops of food coloring. Once the marshmallows are melted, add the puree and spices and stir.
Allow mixture to cool for about 10 minutes before adding Rice Krispies. Shape the mixture into balls about the size of your fist to form a pumpkin shape. Mold a tootsie roll into the top to create a stem.
(Recipe adapted from yummyhealthyeasy.com and essentiallyeclectic.com)
Halloween Brownie Cupcakes
Ingredients:
-Brownie mix
-White cake mix
-Orange food coloring
-Cupcake liners
-Vanilla frosting
-Halloween sprinkles
-Candy corn and candy pumpkins
Instructions:
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then make the brownie mix in one bowl according to the directions on the box. In another bowl, make the cake mix according to the directions and add orange food coloring.
Next, place liners in a cupcake tin. Spoon enough brownie mix into each liner to fill each one 1/3 of the way. Cover the brownie mix with the cake mix so that there is more cake mix than brownie mix, but so that the liners aren’t filled completely. Bake at 350˚ for 20-25 minutes. Test them after about 15 minutes by sticking a toothpick all the way into the cupcake and pulling it out. If there is no raw batter on the toothpick, they’re done.
Let them cool and then frost and decorate them with sprinkles and candy, adding candy corn or candy pumpkins on top for some extra flare.
(Recipe adapted from twosisterscrafting.com)
Caramel Apple Jello Shots
Ingredients:
-1 lemon
-5 granny smith apples
-½ cup of water
-1 envelope of hot chocolate mix
-¼ sweetened condensed milk
-¼ cup of caramel sauce
-1 envelope of Knox gelatin
-¼ cup of sugar
-1 cup of Smirnoff Caramel Kiss Vodka
Instructions:
First cut the apples in half lengthwise. Then, using a melon baller (or any metal spoon), scoop out the inside of the apples, making sure to leave behind an apple shell of even thickness. Place the apples into cupcake tins skin side down and brush or squeeze lemon juice onto them to prevent browning. Put them in the fridge until the filling is ready.
Next, in a medium saucepan, combine water with hot chocolate mix and whisk until dissolved. Add the evaporated milk and caramel sauce and whisk again to combine. Sprinkle gelatin onto mixture evenly and allow it to sit for about two minutes. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally until it reaches a gentle simmer to ensure the gelatin is fully dissolved. Add sugar and simmer for a minute. Turn off the heat to let the mixture cool.
Once room temperature, add the vodka. Then, transfer the mixture to a container with a spout. Fill each apple cup with caramel mixture. Refrigerate for at least four hours.
To serve, place the apples jello-side down on a cutting board and slice into four even pieces. Trim off any brown parts with a knife and serve immediately.
(Recipe adapted from BuzzFeed Life)