Maybe you’re not planning on assembling a head-turning costume like the one you made last year. Or the Halloween bash you were hoping for turned into a small gathering for making caramel apples. That’s just fine—there’s always next year for the big blow-out. But in the meantime, even if you haven’t planned a thing, there’s still time to get in the Halloween spirit right now. Start with some actual Halloween spirits (orange, of course!) and spooktacular products to get you in your game. Here are seven festive yet easy food and drink ideas that you can pull together at the eleventh hour.
Candy PlatterWhy not apply the aesthetic of the modern cheese plate to create a very of-the-moment candy board? See our tips for pulling it all together. |
Bacon-Wrapped DatesThis classic sweet-salty combo is a crowd pleaser, and it only requires three ingredients to assemble. |
Blood-Red PunchThis non-alcoholic cooler adds macabre to any table without much effort (if you have berries, berry juice and sparkling water, you can make this!). Drop in a plastic spider or two for the full Halloween effect. |
Pumpkin Soup with Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin SeedsUsing canned pumpkin means this soup comes together in under 30 minutes. It still feels special, though, thanks the topping of candied sweet and spicy pumpkin seeds. |
Haunted MansionHere’s everything young builders need to create a Halloween mystery mansion. Inside the box is a sturdy base for the ultimate haunted house, which is easily constructed from precut and baked chocolate cookie pieces and pre-made icing “glue.” Once the house is built, everyone will have a blast customizing it with the included colorful decorations. |
Poppy Seed-Cheddar Cheese BallWith shades of black and orange, our test kitchen’s cheese ball makes a beautiful, impactful statement to your All Hallows’ Eve. |
Spiderweb Cake DesignThis spiderweb cake design appears impressively intricate without actually requiring any hard work. To shorten the process, buy a pre-made round cake and store-bought icing, then make the ganache yourself (which only takes a few minutes). |
