I'm about to say this weird, kind of controversial thing, and once I say it I know there's no taking it back, but bear with me — Halloween candy is kind of overrated. When we were little, trekking from house to house with an old pillow case slung over our shoulders waiting to be filled with fun-sized everything was kind of the highlight of our year, but now that we're (semi) self-respecting adults, it's time to step up our game a little bit. Put down those Snickers, Milky Way, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (just kidding, peanut butter cups are the best, don't ever put those down), and try out an alternative Halloween treat that's even better than candy. I'm telling you — unlike goblins and ghouls, these exist.
Not only do they exist, but they come in all shapes and sizes. This is the holiday for all things weird and off kilter, so go ahead and be bold. Why settle for Tootsie Rolls when you can have decadent chocolate cauldron cakes? Dress your pastries up in ways you would normally never dare. Trade in caramel apples for ones dipped in fudge, and if you can't resist the lure of candy, try making your own rather than breaking into a bag of the store-bought stuff. Trust me — these treats are full of tricks, and they're wickedly fun.
1. DIY Peanut Butter Cups
I wasn't kidding when I said peanut butter cups are the best. That's just a fact of life, and if you happen to disagree, please know that I will nod politely and listen to you, but you will in no way change my opinion. This year, take a break from the name brand stuff, and try making a batch of your own. They say everything tastes better when it's homemade, and now it's time to put that theory to the test. Half Baked Harvest has the all-star recipe.
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge-Stuffed Caramel Apples
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away (or whatever), imagine what an apple stuffed with fudge and peanut butter might do to improve your overall well-being. I'm just saying. How Sweet It Is shows us how to make these incredible pieces of apple art just in time for Halloween.
3. Chocolate Monster Bowls
OK fine, sometimes Halloween candy is unavoidable. But if you're going to allow some to sneak into your home, please keep in mind that presentation is everything. You could eat it straight from the bag like a complete monster, or you could eat it out of adorable bowls shaped like monsters that are ACTUALLY MADE FROM CHOCOLATE. This is no joke. Just follow these instructions over at A Beautiful Mess.
4. Halloween Bark
If you're looking for a Halloween snack that's almost too pretty to eat, look no farther than Deliciously Yum's decadent chocolate bark laden with candy corn, peanuts, and marshmallows. Look at it, admire it, and then devour it with reckless abandon. Nothing is too pretty to eat. That's another fact of life.
5. Salted Peanut Chews
I would like to take this moment to thank the geniuses over at Averie Cooks for bringing us this ultra-gooey take on the classic Payday bar. Honey roasted peanuts, peanut butter, and marshmallows blend together flawlessly for a salty sweet crunchy treat that will maybe change your life, and even if it doesn't, will still make you happy you gave this recipe a shot.
6. Caramel pumpkin spice popcorn
Pumpkin spice lattes had their moment already, and while I'm not saying they didn't deserve your full, undivided attention when they first made their triumphant return back in August, I am saying holy cow, it's time to move on. Inside BruCrew Life has a more creative way to satisfy your pumpkin cravings.
7. Chocolate covered pumpkin Twinkies
I may be too old to go trick-or-treating, but I will never be too old to indulge in a Twinkie, especially one made with hints of pumpkin and doused in chocolate. And neither are you, for that matter. Head on over to Inside BruCrew Life to see how this madness is made.
8. Milky Way Rice Krispie Treats
You love Milky Way bars, and you love Rice Krispie treats. Combine the two, take a nibble, and prepare to have your mind blown. It's kind of hard to believe you didn't think of this first, right? Nice move, Your Cup of Cake.
9. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies stuffed with cream cheese
A pumpkin chocolate chip cookie sounds glorious all by itself, but then you take a bite into one of these cream cheese-filled game changers, and you realize you're life up until this point has really only just been OK. Go ahead and thank Your Cup of Cake for upping the ante.
10. Pumpkin Cauldron Cakes
I'd like to start off by saying that this is probably the closest you'll ever get to Hogwarts. I'd also like to point out that these are made out of devil's food cake, marshmallow filling, and edible gold glitter, possibly making them even more magical than anything you'd find at Hogwarts anyway. Pastry Affair works her witchcraft in the best way possible to bring us these treats.
Images: Peter Dutton/Flickr; Half Baked Harvest; How Sweet It Is; A Beautiful Mess; Averie Cooks; Inside BruCrew Life (2); Your Cup of Cake (2); Deliciously Yum; Pastry Affair
