Finally! Starbucks has revealed its stateside Halloween Frappuccino, and it's strangely appealing!
We’ll admit, it was a bit frustrating having to wait…and wait…for Starbucks to unveil its 2018 Halloween Frappuccino, especially since they’d already teased us with their release of these four Halloween-themed beverages in Asia.
But eventually, the day came—and in time for some serious weekend sipping too. And the spooky yet strangely appealing Witch’s Brew Crème Frappuccino was well worth the suspense.
In fact, the anticipation just keeps going as we delve into how this Witch’s Brew is made.
Start with a dash of Toad’s Breath
The Witch’s Brew Crème Frappuccino would be nothing without “Toad’s Breath,” a ghastly purple-hued yet orange crème flavored Frappuccino base. The orange flavor comes from a special Starbucks “purple powder blend,” or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a purple power blend since it contains spirulina, a green superfood (superfoods are simply packed with nutrients).
Stir in a handful of Bat Warts
The “Bat Warts” are actually made of chia seeds, another superfood. Chia seeds in a Frapp! What a brilliant way to pack that coffee treat with nutritional value!
Sprinkle with a pinch of Lizard Scale
Yet another clever way to get some superfood into your Frappuccino fix: sprinkle with “Lizard Scale,” er, sorry, make that more spirulina, sweetened with sugar. On top of the whipped cream that bedecks your Toad’s Breath drizzled with Bat Warts, your friendly neighborhood barista will sprinkle Lizard Scale and turn your whipped cream a ghastly green.
Witch’s Brew Crème Frappuccino is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico and select markets in the Caribbean for a limited time…until supplies run out.
Cake mix makes quick work of these cake pops decorated to look like Jack the Pumpkin King from The Nightmare Before Christmas. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
There’s nothing sinister about this snake. It’s filled with meat, sweet red pepper and cheese. You can paint the pizza dough any color or leave it plain.—Jaclyn Scanlan, Dayton, Ohio
I make truffles for family events and gift-giving. Someone once asked me to add pumpkin spice, and now my recipe is legendary. —Gerry Cofta, Milwaukee, WI
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and entertaining is one of my favorite things to do. My entire family loves these cute apps, especially my kids, which makes the recipe extra-special. —Rachel Ruiz, Hurlburt Fld, Florida
Pair these edible mini brooms with Witches' Brew for an unforgettable treat. The only ingredients you need are pretzel rods and licorice! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I wrapped these spicy jalapeno poppers in puff pastry like a mummy. You can tame the heat by adjusting the amount of chipotle peppers.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I remember making this velvety soup with my mom. Butternut squash gives it warm color, and garlic wards off any unfriendly spirits. Try using whipping cream for an extra smooth texture. —Steven Eder, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
All eyes will definitely be on these adorable cookies when they're set on any buffet table. I created them for my son's kindergarten class for Halloween. —Sherry Lee, Columbus, Ohio
Dill and garlic go well with the tang of feta in this cheese ball...in fact, I think it tastes like a million bucks. It's super easy to do and for other holidays omit the black sesame seeds.
It's so much fun to make these and decorate with them! Bubbles can be made weeks ahead. Turn them into orange pumpkins, multi-colored balloons -- whatever! —Sarah Thompson, Taste of Home Culinary Director
I make these Day of the Dead cookies for all occasions. In the spring, I cut them in flower shapes and insert a lollipop stick in them to make a bouquet. Using candies, food coloring and a wild imagination, try your hand at this Halloween-inspired version. —Kristine Fossmeyer, Huntley, Illinois
Stir up Halloween beverages that are as bewitching as the rest of your menu. For a nonalcoholic version, just omit the vodka. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
The maple flavoring in the frosting makes this spooky cake taste delicious! And the gingersnap crumbs make the "coffin" look like a pine box…to suit the season perfectly. —Kathy Michel, Dubuque, Iowa
You don't need a cauldron to conjure these frightening fingers. They're a sweet-and-salty treat that's spooky easy to make. —Beth Tomkiw, Chief Content Officer, Taste of Home
These cute coffin sandwiches our Test Kitchen created are such a breeze to decorate, kids could do it themselves. With ice cream sandwiches and the toppings of their choice, the frozen snacks are ready in a snap.
Thrill partygoers with these bone-chilling deviled eggs. The mayonnaise-filled bites are one of my favorite apps, so I had fun creating a Halloween version. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
This unique treatment for meringue travels well, too! You will certainly get requests for the recipe, and folks will be surprised at how simple it is! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
We're always trying to do fun things with food to make meals memorable. Better grab one of these sandwiches before it walks away! —Frank Millard, Edgerton, Wisconsin
Underneath tasty tombstones, ghosts, pumpkins, worms and soil that make this dessert a conversation piece, you'll find a delectable chocolate cake made from scratch in a few simple steps. It's a recipe I use year-round with different frostings. —Vicki Schlechter, Davis, California
If you're going to hang with vampires, you're going to need a strong drink. This spicy vodka martini, with a blood-red beet garnish, does the trick. A little garlic helps, too! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
My Godson and I made this cake after fun day at the science museum. We've made it several times now, and we get a kick out of experimenting with the frosting colors. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California
Our home economists had great vision when creating these devilish deviled eggs. Guests at your Halloween party will be "goblin," them up! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gummy worms crawling out of the punch bowl will have your guests howling as they ladle out cups of this festive orange cooler. The punch recipe is super-easy, and its color fits in perfectly with other foods and decorations for my theme party. —Vicki Schlechter, Davis, California
Any small gingerbread boy cookie cutter can take on new "life" with these classic cookies. Give him some cat friends, too. The more the merrier! —Dore' Merrick Grabski, Utica, New York
This spooky cake is easy to make and fun to decorate. To save time, bake and freeze the brownies weeks in advance, then thaw at room temperature overnight before decorating.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I bring cake pops to my church group when we have movie nights. This year for Halloween, I used my go-to recipe to make these not-so-scary spiders. —Nicole Rae Paoli, Newark, Delaware
You'll hear shrieks of delight when these not-so-spooky pumpkin custards appear for dessert. These ghosts will be gobbled up in no time! —Suzanne Strocsher, Bothell, Washington
Kids will squeal with delight at the sight of these eyeball treats. But the peanut butter flavor is the best part! —Shannon Blatchley, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Our Test Kitchen staff enhances the already fabulous flavor of beef kabobs by topping them with a colorful roasted red pepper sauce. Guests will fall in love with these appetizers!
I hosted a party one Halloween and wanted to make pretzels to go with my beer cheese dip. Considering the holiday, I shaped the dough into bones. —Courtney Lentz, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
They're alive! Each year when the Halloween invites start coming my way, I create a little treat to bring. These cute cookies bring a lot of life to every party. —Philia Kelnhofer, West Allis, Wisconsin
Lauren Cahn is a New York-based writer whose work has appeared regularly in The Huffington Post as well as a variety of other publications since 2008 on such topics as life and style, popular culture, law, religion, health, fitness, yoga, entertaining and entertainment. She is also a writer of crime fiction; her first full-length manuscript, The Trust Game, was short-listed for the 2017 CLUE Award for emerging talent in the genre of suspense fiction.