On the spookiest night of the year, we’re usually most concerned about getting the kids dressed in their costumes, the Jack-o-lanterns carved and the candy ready for all the little ghosts and goblins who will be knocking on the door. But it’s always a good thing to provide some real, healthy food before everyone heads out. You don’t have to cook a big meal, but having some easy finger foods for the kids (and adults) makes for a more fun evening and helps hold off the dreaded sugar rush that comes with all that candy loot.
Pizza Skulls
These little gems are a big hit with the kids and they’re super-easy if you use pre-made pizza dough from the refrigerator case at the grocery store and Coleman All Natural ground pork. If you don’t have a skull cake pan, you can also use a standard 6-cup muffin pan to make them into mini-calzones.
Sausage Mummies
These are also super simple and kid-pleasing. It takes one package of Coleman All Natural Kielbasa sliced into six even pieces and a can of crescent roll dough. Lay the dough out in one piece and cut it into six strips, then wrap each strip around a piece of sausage to resemble a mummy. Leave a space near the top for adding the eyes after they come out of the oven. Bake at 375 until the dough is browned, then use a spot of mustard or ketchup to make the eyes.
Million Dollar Dip and a Charcuterie Board
This dip comes together quickly and is a delicious accompaniment for carrot and celery sticks, broccoli chunks, cucumber slices, or just about any vegetable you can imagine. You can also incorporate it into a charcuterie board along with some chunks of Coleman All Natural ham steak, cheeses, and your favorite crackers. Simple, kid-friendly, and healthy.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Pumpkin Spice Candied Bacon
While the kids might want to binge on candy after door-knocking, the adults might be looking for something a little less overpoweringly sweet for dessert. These uber-moist cupcakes are the answer. Follow the instructions for a box of spice cake mix and stir into the batter a can of pumpkin puree. Bake the cupcakes as directed, cool, and then cover with your favorite cream cheese frosting before sprinkling with crumbled pumpkin spice bacon you made in advance. It’s easy, delicious and so Halloweenish!
Tips for Success
Keep it simple. The idea is to put good food in everyone before you hit the streets for trick or treating, while realizing the kids are excited and distracted. That’s why a variety of finger foods is an easier alternative to cooking a meal and making everyone sit down to eat.
Do as much in advance as you can. Make the dip and assemble the charcuterie board, cook the bacon, make the cupcakes and get everything ready for the skulls and mummies. Then all you have to do is pop those in the oven for 20 minutes while you’re donning your own costume.
Make it fun. Get the kids to help you wrap the mummies, assemble the pizza skulls, and frost the cupcakes. They’ll be more excited about eating if they’ve had a hand in making the food.
Above all, relax! Making memories isn’t about perfection. Enjoy the process and don’t stress.
The Coleman Way, since 1875, is our commitment to quality, taking pride in humanely raising animals on family farms in the U.S.A. with no antibiotics ever, no growth hormones, and 100% vegetarian fed. The result is premium, great-tasting, all-natural meats in a variety of cuts and flavors that can be easily prepared and that you can feel good about serving to family and friends.
