31 Vintage Halloween Party Treats

Sweet and chewy popcorn balls are a "hoot" when they're formed into wide-eyed owls perfect for a Halloween party. They take a little bit of assembly but draw a lot of compliments. —Emma Magielda, Amsterdam, New York

We used cinnamon and chocolate to give a fun and tasty twist to traditional caramel apples. Rolled in nuts, coconut or colorful candies, they'll delight kids of all ages. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

This clever twist on ordinary marshmallow cereal treats add to the festive feeling around Halloween. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

My kids start begging me for these cakelike sandwich cookies as soon as autumn arrives. I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like these fun treats. —Deb Stuber, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Take these extra-special cupcakes to your next event and watch how quickly they disappear! With a caramel topping and spice cake base, they're the perfect mix of two fall-favorite treats. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

There's nothing "scary" about this cake. I make it every Halloween for my husband, Mike, and our three children. —Karen Wirth, Tavistock, Ontario

These "costumed" cream puffs are as cute as can be. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

Kids can help make these perfect fall bites by dipping the baked cookies in caramel and nuts. It's a fun food craft for all of us. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

My husband and two kids are sure to eat the first dozen of these cookies, warm from the oven, before the next tray is even done. A co-worker gave me the recipe for the pumpkin dip, which everyone loves with the cookies. —Kelly McNeal, Derby, Kansas

Making these pops is a fun activity for a children's party because any age can participate. Customize them for holidays or special occasions by rolling them in coordinating colored sprinkles. —Marcia Porch, Winter Park, Florida

These cookies are reminiscent of old cartoons where eyes pop out in a dark room! They’re a cinch to make and doubly fun to decorate!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Hosting a Halloween party? Use a cookie cutter to easily cut these homemade chocolate brownies into pumpkin shapes, then give them personality with orange, black and green frosting. Our grandchildren think these are great. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma

"This colorful snack mix has a light coating that also makes it perfect for gatherings," notes field editor Jeanette Urbom of Overland Park, Kansas.

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

These cookies are a real hoot, and they taste as good as they look. Each fall, it was a tradition for my Grandma to bake batches of Owl Cookies. The sweets were so tasty that we'd beg her to make them before the leaves had even begun turning. —Liz Clemons, Sumter, South Carolina

If a black cat crosses your path, we hope it's one of these cute chocolaty creations. This time-saving recipe relies on a boxed cake mix and a can of prepared frosting jazzed up with simple cookie and candy decorations. —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

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall treat. But my family likes them so much, they ask me to make them all year long! —Brenda Keller, Andalusia, Alabama

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

I came up with these cookies as a treat for my kids class parties. Not only do they look cute but they are also delicious.—Starrlette Howard, Ogden, Utah

These irresistible bars can sweeten any holiday. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota

"Turn your kitchen into a 'web site' by preparing a batch of these creepy candy spiders," chuckles field editor Sandi Pichon of Slidell, Louisiana.

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

Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters form these festive finger snacks. My grandkids love them! —Frances Poste, Wall, South Dakota

Caramel apples get dressed up for this harvesttime holiday with chocolate, nuts and toffee bits. Cut into wedges, these scrumptious apples are easy to share. —Linda Smith, Frederick, Maryland.

The trick to this tempting treat is pulling a toothpick through rings of melted chocolate to create the web effect. "This no-bake cream cheese pie goes together quickly and tastes delicious," assures Jan White, Plainview, Nebraska. "It's fun to serve, too, because it never fails to draw comments."

These cute chocolate-covered treats will magically disappear at your house. Prepare these sugar cones filled with a creamy homemade mousse for your little goblins this Halloween. —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

Instead of a traditional pie, I like to surprise holiday guests with a silky cheesecake. Make it a day ahead and let it chill overnight. It's one less thing you'll have to make on the big day. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas

Friends and family are always happy to receive these tasty popcorn balls. I love making them as well as eating them! —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

Velvety smooth homemade caramels have a sprinkling of kosher salt to create a sweet-salty sensation. Best of all, these caramels don't call for each to be wrapped in waxed paper or plastic wrap...a very tedious chore. The hot caramel is poured into miniature muffin liners instead. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin