63 Frightfully Fun Halloween Dessert Ideas
Ghosts, gore and candy corn! These festive treats are sure to sweeten up any scary spread.
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Our Best Halloween Dessert Ideas
Hosting a houseful of hungry ghosts and goblins this year? You're going to need a few sweet treats (and we're not talking about the cauldron of Halloween candy you put out for the neighborhood kids as they go door to door). We're talking about going all-out with fun, festive desserts for get-togethers big or small: creepy-cute cookies for some pre-trick-or-treating fuel, dinner party-worthy cakes and cupcakes, frightfully fun rice cereal brains for your at-home haunted house—and even more. With so many eerie-sistible choices, where do you start? You can't go wrong with any of the desserts in this roundup but we think that these haunted buckeyes are a must. Crispy rice cereal, seasonal sprinkles, a dab of food coloring and some googly eyes add delightful crunch and a festive touch to this classic peanut butter and chocolate treat. Kids will have a blast helping whip up these sweet desserts, too!
Get the Recipe: Halloween Buckeyes
Puffed Rice Paper Ghost Cake
Create a haunted scene for your Halloween table with this creepy-cute layer cake. Conjure up your own eerie decorations with a little help from the viral rice paper wrapper trend—but cut the wrappers into spooky ghost shapes instead of flowers. They spring to life in hot oil and only take seconds to cook.
Get the Recipe: Puffed Rice Paper Ghost Cake
Ghost Brownies
These Halloween-themed brownies provide a scary-good backdrop for spooky white chocolate ghosts. The ghosts are super easy to make with melted white chocolate and dabs of store-bought black icing for the eyes and mouth. Somewhere between fudgy and cakey, the brownies are spread with a salty-sweet chocolate glaze, which really makes the ghosts pop.
Get the Recipe: Ghost Brownies
Layered Candy Corn Pie
This candy corn-themed pie is one of our favorites. The colorful layers are tinted naturally with lemon juice, fresh mango and coconut milk so the finished dessert has a pleasantly tropical flavor—but looks just like the beloved Halloween candy. The pie is piled high with fluffy meringue (that’s toasted with a kitchen torch until browned and extra delicious) and then decorated with pieces of candy corn for a dessert that’s sure to keep your guests spellbound.
Get the Recipe: Layered Candy Corn Pie
Frankenstein Crispy Rice Treats
Spooky? Silly? Sultry? There’s no wrong answer when you’re creating a monster. The basic crispy rice treat recipe we all know and love gets a splash of green to make the perfect canvas for creativity. A dip in chocolate for some hair and a couple of mini marshmallows for neck bolts, then you get to be the mad scientist with candies, icing and whatever edible decorations you can find. They’re frighteningly delicious!
Get the Recipe: Frankenstein Crispy Rice Treats
Halloween Snack Mix
This irresistible snack mix takes the well-known combination of corn cereal, chocolate, peanut butter and confectioners’ sugar and gives it a Halloween twist. Mini candy bars (omnipresent this time of year) stand in for the chips and peanut butter. Salted peanuts and candy corn add color and salty crunch. The combination is scary good for Halloween--and the days after.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Snack Mix
Red Velvet Vampire Cupcakes
What looks like a gory encounter with the Count himself is just raspberry jam brightened with a drop of red food coloring. And if you dare sink your own teeth into them, you'll find that more raspberry jam and chocolate await in the center.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Vampire Cupcakes
Halloween Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Cute little monsters share the stage with pumpkins and ghosts on this Halloween dessert platter. For variety, you can create monsters with different colors of sanding sugar–just make sure to match the candy melting wafers to the sugar. You can make these treats several hours ahead and refrigerate them, but don’t refrigerate the monsters for longer than an hour as the moisture in the refrigerator will cause the candy eyes to run.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Easy Ghost Cake
This adorable Halloween dessert is incredibly simple to make – all you need is one square cake, one round cake and a couple of easy knife cuts. Top the whole cake with a quick homemade vanilla frosting, then pipe on eyes and a mouth, for the friendliest ghost your little goblins will love.
Get the Recipe: Easy Ghost Cake
Melting Witches Bark
This whimsical break-apart treat may look intricate, but it’s actually frightfully easy to prepare. Gently melting candy wafers on a lined baking sheet in the oven—instead of melting them on the stovetop or in a microwave—makes this bark a cinch to pull together. Assemble a few easy decorations to place on top and you’ll have a wickedly good bark for Halloween parties or “The Wizard of Oz” viewings. Feel free to add your favorite candy to make it even more festive.
Get the Recipe: Melting Witches Bark
Stuffed Rice Crispy Cereal Brain
Want something ghoulishly delicious? This gory brain is really a giant crispy rice cereal treat filled with silky chocolate mousse.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Crispy Rice Cereal Brain
Spiderweb Dirt Cups
These Halloween-themed pudding “dirt” cups have the spooky addition of black cocoa whipped cream plus white spiderwebs. The spiderwebs are easy: you pipe them over a crushed-ice bath so they set almost immediately. For the best results, be sure to flatten the surface of the crushed ice as much as possible before piping the webs. Little “spiders” made from sugar-coated gummy bears complete the eerie effect.
Get the Recipe: Spiderweb Dirt Cups
Hocus Pocus Buns
These spooky buns are a sticky, chewy treat. The center marshmallow "disappears" into a sweet colorful goo...like magic!
Get the Recipe: Hocus Pocus Buns
Halloween Oreo Roll
This easy chocolate roll cake starts with a package of chocolate wafer cookies that becomes a Halloween dessert centerpiece. We upped the spooky effect by decorating the cake with gummy spiders on a “web” made from melted marshmallows. We color the marshmallow with orange food coloring but feel free to change it to green or whatever color you like. When ready to serve, slice through the marshmallow webbing and scary spiders to reveal a beautiful hypnotic swirl.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Oreo Roll
Halloween Cheesecake
Add some extra Halloween flair to pumpkin cheesecake with a classic jack-o'-lantern brownie grin.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Cheesecake
Frankenshake and Bride of Frankenshake
His and hers Halloween shakes (one mint, one vanilla) are made in a single batch, then dressed up for the holiday in this ultimate trick-or-treat.
Get the Recipe: Frankenshake and Bride of Frankenshake
Mummy Hand Pies
Wrap up your dessert prep with Halloween-inspired hand pies you can make ahead of time and serve later.
Get the Recipe: Mummy Hand Pies
Meringue Ghosts and Pumpkins
A couple of easy piping techniques transform a simple meringue into spooky ghosts, pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween. You’ll need some orange and green food coloring; make sure they’re not oil based, since fat can make a meringue deflate.
Get the Recipe: Meringue Ghosts and Pumpkins
Scary Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
These spider cookies are entertaining for little ones and adults to make together. From pushing chocolate candies into warm cookies, to drawing spider legs with chocolate and making silly eyes, there's plenty of fun for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Scary Peanut Butter Spider Cookies
Ghost Crispy Rice Treats
For an easy Halloween treat, try these adorable ghosts made from crispy rice cereal. All you need is a handful of ingredients and a ghost-shaped cookie cutter. Stamping out and decorating the ghosts can be a fun activity with kids. The treats are dusted with white sanding sugar, which gives them a nice crunch and beautiful sparkle.
Get the Recipe: Ghost Crispy Rice Treats
Apple Spider Web Pops
These easy-to-make pops have tart apple slices underneath a webbed chocolate shell.
Get the Recipe: Apple Spider Web Pops
Stuffed Candy Corn Cake
Not only does this festive bull's-eye cake slice up into pieces that look like giant candy corns, the inside holds a secret cache of the treats themselves that spill forth when you open it up.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Candy Corn Cake
Halloween Hot Cocoa Bombs
This simple method for tempering chocolate will give you smooth, shiny hot cocoa bombs. Use a good-quality bittersweet chocolate with at least 70% cacao for best results. You can make the bombs ahead of time, but wait until right before serving to cover them in the webbing.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Hot Cocoa Bombs
Pull-Apart Graveyard Cupcakes
Although it looks almost like a cake, this graveyard is made up of individual cupcakes, making it a self-serve party option. Just grab your cupcake and go — no knives necessary.
Get the Recipe: Pull-Apart Graveyard Cupcakes
Coconut Bones
Follow Giada's recipe to transform store-bought pizza dough into a sweet two-bite snack with a "bloody" raspberry dipping sauce.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Bones
Ghostly Cupcakes
Spook your guests with these "boo-tiful" cupcakes topped with chocolate ghosts. For the design, you simply glaze plain cupcakes with melted dark and white chocolate.
Get the Recipe: Ghostly Cupcakes
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Brain
Spook your friends and serve a creepy brain, complete with fruit syrup "blood," on Halloween. This no-bake strawberry cheesecake is made in a plastic mold to look hauntingly real.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Brain
Chocolate-Cinnamon Skeleton Cookies
Break out your gingerbread man cookie cutter early this year; it's just the tool you need to make these easy cookies. With a little icing, you can pipe your way to frightfully fun Halloween treats.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Cinnamon Skeleton Cookies
Dirt Cake
Crushed chocolate cookies are the "dirt" in this no-bake dessert, while gummy worms on top add even more squeal-appeal. For the pudding layers, we folded in whipped sweetened cream cheese for flavor and loft. Be sure to assemble it in a glass dish so you can see the layers.
Get the Recipe: Dirt Cake
Cinnamon Cereal Treat Mummies
Conjure up some Halloween fun with these yummy mummy cereal treats. Insert a lollipop stick into the bottom of each treat to make a grab-and-go snack for your favorite little monsters.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Cereal Treat Mummies
Marshmallow Web Candied Apples
Marshmallows are the “web” on top of these classic candy apples, which are guaranteed to bring a touch of sweet nostalgia to your Halloween bash.
Get the Recipe: Marshmallow Web Candied Apples
Meringue Bones
You're only five kitchen staples away from having a dozen bones to pick. Use your favorite strawberry or raspberry jam to hold these creepy treats together.
Get the Recipe: Meringue Bones
Crispy Treat Witch's Hat
Get crafty with this edible witch's hat: chocolate-flavored rice cereal, green food coloring and edible gold dust transform ordinary crispy rice treats into a sweet Halloween centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Treat Witch's Hat
Chocolate Candy Pie
This versatile pie can morph to fit many moods. Freeze it for an icy delight, or just refrigerate instead if you're looking for something a little softer (or you run out of time). Or leave out the candy all together for something a little less rich. You decide.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Candy Pie
Halloween Popcorn Treats
These aren't ordinary popcorn balls. Giada's sticky treats contain chopped chocolate bars, chocolate chip cookies, salted almonds and Halloween-colored candies.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Popcorn Treats
Pumpkin Cut-Out Pie
Jazz up pumpkin pie with a simple jack-o'-lantern cut-out made with extra dough. It bakes with the pie so there are no extra baking steps; and your guests will love the whimsical attention to detail.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cut-Out Pie
Candy-Coated Pear Skulls
Flip pear halves upside down and you've got yourself skulls! A resealable plastic bag makes it easy to pipe the candy faces.
Get the Recipe: Candy-Coated Pear Skulls
Black Magic Cake
This deep, dark chocolate cake is the perfect canvas for an eerie holiday dessert. Top it with a spider web or a mummy made from melted and stretched marshmallows.
Get the Recipe: Black Magic Cake
Ghostly Pumpkin Pudding
Add some ghostly character to homemade pumpkin pudding with a dollop of meringue and some candy eyes.
Get the Recipe: Ghostly Pumpkin Pudding
Candy Corn Hi-Hat Cupcakes
These hi-hat cupcakes hide a sweet surprise of festive candy corn colors.
Get the Recipe: Candy Corn Hi-Hat Cupcakes
Here's Looking at Boo Treats
Short on time and ingredients? A few pantry staples are all you need to make a last-minute treat guests can enjoy by the eyeful.
Get the Recipe: Here's Looking at Boo Treats
Chocolate Doughnut Holes
Sprinkle chocolate-glazed doughnut holes with festively colored nonpareils for sweet treats everyone will want to munch on.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Doughnut Holes
Caramel Apples
Ree takes her caramel apples to the next level by rolling them in crushed chocolate cookies for a "dirt" finish.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Apples
Halloween Brownies
Everyone at your Halloween party will be love these creepy treats: decadently rich and fudgy brownies topped with a gooey marshmallow spider web and adorable candy spiders.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Brownies
Maple Cinnamon Spider Web Fritters
County fair funnel cakes take a haunting turn as cinnamon-spiced fritter "webs." Serve with gummy spiders for the full effect!
Get the Recipe: Maple Cinnamon Spider Web Fritters
Banana Mummies
Use gooey marshmallow "threads" and candy eyeballs to turn frozen banana treats into mummies for Halloween.
Get the Recipe: Banana Mummies
Gummy Eyeballs
Don’t be scared at the sight of these eyeball-inspired gummy treats — they’re a tasty mix of chocolate chips, jiggly gelatin and coconut milk.
Get the Recipe: Gummy Eyeballs
Spider Bites
Three ingredients are all you need to make Sandra's easy spider bites. The chocolate-covered pretzels are just creepy enough for young kids to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Spider Bites
Halloween Candy-Coated Apples
Go ahead and take a big bite out of these enchanting apples! They may look like they're under a spell but you'll find that they're perfectly sweet and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Candy-Coated Apples
Candy Corn Popcorn Balls
Ree's homemade popcorn balls, studded with peanuts and candy corn, are party-ready in just 25 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Candy Corn Popcorn Balls
Angel's Food Cupcakes
A pillowy meringue frosting and white candy halos make these super-light cupcakes especially angelic.
Get the Recipe: Angel's Food Cupcakes
Apple Spice Cake Mummies
These fall-flavored treats are the perfect addition to any monster mash. Spoon vanilla frosting into a plastic bag and pipe in a zigzag pattern to make the deathly delicious mummy wrappings.
Get the Recipe: Apple Spice Cake Mummies
Mummy Cream Horns
Simple, sweet and just a little eerie, these bite-size mummies are a de-frightful party treat.
Get the Recipe: Mummy Cream Horns
Candy Corn Fudge
The secret to this candy corn-inspired fudge is a quick chill in the fridge between layers so the colors set.
Get the Recipe: Candy Corn Fudge
Ghastly Meringues
Whip up some egg whites and sugar to turn out these phantom meringue cookies.
Get the Recipe: Ghastly Meringues
Black Cat Pops
Giada's Black Cat Pops are a purrfectly sweet Halloween party treat — and healthy to boot!
Get the Recipe: Black Cat Pops
Mini Monster Baked Alaskas
These scary-cute mini monsters are an easy, kid-friendly take on a baked Alaska. We love the toasty touches from using a torch on the meringue, but if you don’t have one, they are still delicious straight from the freezer. Feel free to substitute your favorite flavor of ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Mini Monster Baked Alaskas
Orange Candy Apples
Meet your apple-a-day quota in the sweetest way possible. These beauties are dipped in an orange-colored candy coating, then drizzled with chocolate.
Get the Recipe: Orange Candy Apples
Hidden Horror Black Widow Cake
Give your guests a sweet scare with this gruesomely tasty spider dessert.
Get the Recipe: Hidden Horror Black Widow Cake
White Chocolate Eyeball Cakes
Halloween just got a new spooky treat that is decidedly as unsettling as it is delicious. White chocolate domes are filled with vanilla pudding, then sealed in with a delicate layer of sponge cake. Breaking into each dome reveals a pocket of oozing jam that raises the gross-out factor while also upping the yum factor!
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Eyeball Cakes
Caramel Pear Mice
Try this fun take on classic caramel apples: Cut fresh pears into wedges, coat with homemade caramel and make mousey "faces" with sesame seeds for the eyes and candy button noses.
Get the Recipe: Caramel Pear Mice
Pecan-Caramel Spiders
These aren't turtles anymore! Give caramel and pecan clusters a creepy-crawly makeover with black licorice "legs."
Get the Recipe: Pecan-Caramel Spiders
Devil's Food Cupcakes
Sinfully dark cupcakes with a bittersweet chocolaty glaze make these little cupcakes a perfect sinister snack.
Get the Recipe: Devil's Food Cupcakes
