When it comes to Halloween desserts, we are all about the treats. As leaves start to change and grumblings of ghosts come to fruition, all we can think about are sweets: from candy corn to pumpkin-flavored everything.
We love to ogle at the big bags of candy in the grocery store and all of the seasonal pre-made treats, but there are times when you just have to grab your cauldron and make something from scratch.
Whether you are into treats that give you the creepy crawlies, or just want an easy dessert full of fall flavor, we have got you covered—and these recipes are great for all sorts of costume parties and classroom happenings. Beware! These treats will only last seconds after you serve them.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studio
For a spooky, slithery spin on Halloween sweets, this dirt cake is a kid-friendly treat perfect for serving a crowd. Filled with cookie crumbs, a whipped pudding filling, and gummy worms, top with some cookie tombstones or marshmallow ghosts for an extra festive touch.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey
Halloween is the perfect time to break out the Bundt pan and get it ready for the holiday season. This pumpkin pound cake is fragrant, beautiful, and soft in texture. A drizzle of maple butter glaze is the icing on top—fall in a bite.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Prissy Montiel
This is a vintage recipe with a cult following, first published more than 20 years ago, in April 2000. It was sent in by Janet Hunter of Broadway, North Carolina, and it calls for milk chocolate bars studded with almonds. Not only does this fun candy bar which speed the prep along, but it also has that charming Halloween candy-ish flair.
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
The sweet, creamy treat is ideal for a Halloween party or potluck. Serve alongside any sweet and salty accompaniments you like, from pretzels and graham crackers to fruits (like sliced apples) and nuts.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
While you’re carving pumpkins, you could be snacking on these pumpkin bars. Cream cheese frosting tops the moist pumpkin spice cake, along with candied pumpkin seeds for a delicious Halloween treat. Plus, with 24 servings, you can easily serve a crowd.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
If you’re leaning into the zombie/creepy crawlers side of Halloween, these dirt pudding cups couldn’t be more on theme. Plus, it’s easy for kids to get involved in the creation of these cups.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These easy homemade treats look just like little haystacks, and while they are not spooky, they remind us of childhood hayrides. Pair these cookies with a sliced apple and thank us later.
Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
While this treat has its beginnings up north, we’ve put a Southern spin on it by showcasing our love of pumpkin. Fun to eat and super portable, this dessert might just be more popular than what’s in your candy bowl.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
We hope these are the only monsters you encounter this October 31st. These cookies are called monster cookies because of how they are assembled: a melting pot of many different cookies made into one, giant fearsome cookie. Press candy eyeballs into the cookies once they come out of the oven to really follow through on the monster theme.
Full of fall flavors, these mini cheesecakes with a dollop of homemade maple whipped cream will be a delight for all. Decorate these personal-sized cakes with your favorite Halloween candy or sprinkles for some extra holiday flair.
During the Halloween season, sometimes we start grabbing bags of candy from the grocery shelves a little bit too early. When that happens, instead of eating pieces of candy off-hand, turn your favorite candy into a dessert to share.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
If you are looking for the perfect cake to curl up with while watching Hocus Pocus, try this delicious, easy treat. For this recipe, we make our equivalent of a pumpkin pie filling and then sprinkle the filling with boxed cake mix and melted butter. It doesn’t get easier than a dump cake!
Greg DuPree
These pumpkin-chocolate brownies will haunt your memories long after Halloween day has come to an end… you might even find yourself tempted to make these again in the spring (spooky, we know!)
If your kiddo is dressing up as a cowboy or cowgirl for Halloween, you might want to rustle up a batch of these cookies to go along with the theme. Aside from enjoying the cookies, you will also love the story behind this dessert.
Alison Miksch; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Loren Wood
If Reese’s peanut butter cups top your list of favorite Halloween candies, you’d be amiss not to make this cake for your party. A gooey peanut butter and chocolate glaze is drizzled atop the Bundt with broken peanut butter cup pieces. The inside is just as good: Enclosed in the moist chocolate cake lies a peanut butter-cream cheese filling.
If you’re the type to always have a pot of coffee going when hosting, this pumpkin-pecan coffee cake just may be exactly what you need to serve this Halloween. With all the autumnal spices you desire mixed with sweet caramel and sugary flavors, this cake is scary good and will surely impress your guests.
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Forget the candy apple this year… these cheesecake bars include all the flavors you desire in a soft and rich square. And with just 45 minutes of hands-on time, you can’t beat this no-sweat treat.
Halloween and candy go hand-in-hand, and this delightful recipe is no exception. Satisfy your sweet tooth and pumpkin fix in just one bite. Toffee bits are mixed into the pumpkin cake batter and Heath English Toffee Bar garnishes the spiced frosting.
This chocolate pumpkin pie is uber-rich and indulgent. Airy sweetened whipped cream tops the pie, giving a good balance to the thick filling. Allow the pie to chill for at least four hours before serving.
