The Best 5-Ingredient Halloween Recipes

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

When I was a kid, my mom made this recipe often. I’ve adapted it to make it more chewy and gooey than her crunchy, nut-loaded version. I get requests to make this for every event that I host, and have never had a single leftover! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

It doesn’t take magic to transform these crescent rolls into charming witch hats—just a few minutes and a couple of ingredients. They’re so good, you’ll want to make a double batch. —Mara Fletcher, Batesville, Indiana

Creepy creatures have completely taken over this Halloween meal! Since you can create a different design for each square, it’s easy to cater to every diner’s individual preferences. —Marie Louise Ludwig, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Wrap leftovers in cellophane and hand them out as favors-if they haven’t all disappeared by the end of the party.—Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

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 Food Styling Team

Magically transform squash or pumpkin seeds into a spellbinding snack with ranch salad dressing mix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Play the mad scientist this year and bring a monster to life. He’s frightfully fun and delicious! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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 concocted this “potion” with kitchen staples such as juice concentrate, soft drink mix, soda and sherbet. It appeals to kids of all ages! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Are these adorable or what? Little kids would love to eat these treats, made colorful with food coloring and decorated with candy treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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

My bright orange sipper fits right in with October fun. To serve it in a festive way, I often put the punch bowl inside a hollowed-out-pumpkin. —Sue Thomas, Casa Grande, Arizona

Get a head start on these buttery cookies by shaping and chilling the homemade dough ahead of time. When you’re ready, just slice and bake the tricolor treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Here is a simple snack mix I created on the spur of the moment. It’s easy to toss together for a Halloween party or to package in individual bags for a fall bake sale. —Barbara Roberts, Middleton, Wisconsin

Kids will love these colorful, crunchy bars. They’re a fun twist on the traditional marshmallow crispy treats…and because they’re so easy, older kids could whip up a batch on their own! —Christie Porter, Shipshewana, Indiana

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

You only need three ingredients to make these super simple acorn cookies! —Jane Stasik, Greendale, Wisconsin

I pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas

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

My kids just loved helping put the marshmallow “teeth” between the apple slices when I made these years ago. I usually made them with red apples but green apples would be a playful alternative. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

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

At a Halloween party, the more creepy the food, the better! I like to tuck gummy worms into an ice ring when I make this great green punch. — Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine

Say cheese! Our sweet little mice are so cute, you’ll want to take a picture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

These fun and colorful magic wands don’t take a magician to make. You can change the colors for any theme party, too!–Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota

Kids of all ages can help prepare these easy-to-make treats. With just three ingredients that I often keep on hand, they can be put together at a moment’s notice.—Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

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.

This colorful Halloween punch tastes just like grape sparkling wine. Watch it disappear from your next spooky buffet.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

I couldn’t stop eating this popcorn when I first tried it at a friend’s party. My generous pal offered the recipe, and now I bring it to gatherings often. Color your corn an eerie green hue to add a spooky effect at Halloween. —Courtney D Wilson, Fresno, California

My grandmother made these haystack cookies and gave them to my cousin Vonnie and me when our parents didn’t want us to have any more sweets. —Christine Schwester, Divide, Colorado

Don’t let your leftover Halloween loot go to waste. Pile your favorite candies onto a monster-size cookie. — Kendra Bowen, Louisville, Illinois

I learned how to roast pumpkin seeds from my mother, who learned it from her mother. Keep an eye on the seeds so they don’t scorch. —Margaret Drye, Plainfield, New Hampshire

When caramel apple season arrives, we roll apples in salted pecans and drizzle them with homemade fudge. For a different crunch factor, use honey-roasted peanuts. —Cori Cooper, Flagstaff, Arizona

Who doesn’t love the flavor of caramel, apples, and vanilla ice cream together? If I’m feeling fancy, I drizzle caramel syrup around the inside of my glass before adding the apple cider and ginger ale. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

This recipe really captures the flavor of fall. It’s good with or without the gingersnaps.

Kids of all ages love the sweet and salty blend in this fast-to-fix snack mix. —Shana Reiley, Theresa, New York

We worked our magic in the kitchen and whipped up this clever beverage. Sherbet and ice cream combine with orange juice and berries to create the playful layers.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spruce up store-bought cookies for the holiday. These are a real hit with “goblins” of all ages. —Denise Smith, Lusk, Wyoming

For me, the taste of marshmallow, graham cracker and apple just can’t be beat. Others must think the same thing. Anytime I bring them to a bake sale, they sell out in a flash. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts

Folks are sure to share some tricks in order to get some of these pleasing pumpkin-shaped treats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

With its pleasant orange flavor, this simple spread perfectly tops a variety of breads. Each bite has just the right amount of sweetness. —Ruth Hastings

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, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

These are a cinch to bake—and even more fun to decorate! Save the decorating fun for a party activity, and let the kids top their cakes any way they want. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

My daughters and I came up with this treat when planning a candy-making party. They also make adorable hostess gifts, are perfect for potlucks and would sell out quickly at a bake sale. —Lisa Haboush, Geneva, Illinois

Once I had my little girl I quickly became really creative in the kitchen, needing to have healthy foods on hand. These frozen treats turned out to be a favorite and are a staple in our home. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

A smash is a fruity and chilled cocktail—very refreshing. It’s a great use for those apples you bought from the orchard plus some sparking cider. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York

This is a tasty spread for toast, muffins, biscuits or any of your favorite breads. It is easy to make and has a rich pear flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise and lemon. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Roasting pumpkin seeds is easier than it seems. Just hollow a pumpkin out, spice ’em and bake ’em for a fun snack. —Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota

Sweet corn takes on a whole new meaning with this recipe. The corncobs look delightfully like the real thing—except they’re made of cake, frosting and peanut butter candies! These treats really brighten up the Thanksgiving table, and they’re so easy to make. Children can help with this project, too. They’ll have fun putting the “kernels” on—and eating a few as well! —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio

We take winter seriously in Minnesota. This comforting cider flavored with cinnamon, cloves and fruit juices helps warm and brace our spirits. —Chris Runyan, Montevideo, Minnesota

There’s no reason the adults can’t get in on Halloween fun, too! You can make the simple syrup and chill the champagne and gelatin mixture in advance, so you’ll have time for other party prep work. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin