If you’re looking to frighten and delight your taste buds this Halloween, look no further than the list of easy Halloween baking ideas and Halloween-themed drinks that we have compiled.
We’ve provided a dead good collection of cakes, treats and spooky drinks. It’s a real treat from a few culinary tricks.
A Pumpkin Spice Latte
It may not be the spookiest but it’s still a Halloween spin on a classic coffee that you can make at home. Here’s what you'll need to create this warm delight:
2 tbsp pumpkin purée
1 tbsp soft brown sugar
¼ tsp mixed spice
¼ tsp cinnamon
250ml whole or semi-skimmed milk
2 shots espresso coffee
Whipped cream and cocoa, to serve (optional)
Mix the pumpkin purée, sugar, spices and milk in a microwave-proof jug. Stir and combine your ingredients. Then cover your mixture with Clingfilm, then carefully pierce the Clingfilm, to let the steam escape. Microwave on full power for 1½-2 mins, until the milk is hot.
Using an electric milk frother or whisk, whisk for 30-45 secs until the milk is really frothy. Pour the hot coffee into a mug or glass, then add the spiced pumpkin milk. Top with cream, if using, then dust with a little more mixed spice and some cocoa if you’re feeling adventurous!
You can find the full recipe here.
Halloween Cocktails
For the adults, here are some fantastic Halloween-based drinks that can really get you in the mood for the frightful festivities.
Here’s what you’ll need to make The Witch’s Heart Cocktail:
1 shot apple brandy or apple vodka chilled
1 tsp grenadine
Shaker
Homemade Blackberry Shimmery Liqueur
Powdered dry ice optional Martini glass or wine glass to serve
Add about 1/2 or 1 tablespoon of powdered dry ice to the bottom of the glass. Then place your apple brandy and purple shimmery liqueur into a shaker. Add one ice cube and shake for a few seconds to chill your concoction.
Then you’re ready to strain the drink into your glass. You can top up your drink with more purple shimmery liqueur if you feel it’s necessary.
Now you can put in one tablespoon of grenadine syrup, about an inch from the surface of the drink - the grenadine should sink to the bottom, creating a "bleeding" effect.
Add about 1/2 tsp of powdered dry ice on top and serve with a stirrer to create that shimmery, smoky effect.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This recipe recommends that you have it as breakfast but we think it works great as a dessert. Here’s how you can put a coffee spin on your pumpkin cake, start with your ingredients:
For the Coffee Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup non-fat milk
For the streusel:
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon Pinch salt
Once you’ve collected your ingredients, preheat your oven and spray a pan with nonstick cooking spray. Then Mix your two cups of flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice into a large bowl.
Start whisking and combing, then you can stir in the pumpkin, vegetable oil, vanilla and milk. Pour them all into a prepared pan.
In a smaller bowl, mix the melted butter with 1/4 cup flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir with a fork to get the mix to combine. Then you can spread it on top of the pumpkin cake layer.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, store it then covered on the counter for up to 2 days or freeze for up to one month.
Spider Biscuits
Something to get the kids involved in! These spider style biscuits can be made easily and here’s what you’ll need:
70g butter, softened
50g peanut butter
150g golden caster sugar
1 medium egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
180g plain flour
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
20 peanut butter cups, Rolos or Maltesers
100g milk chocolate, chopped Icing eyes, or make your own
Prepare the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line two baking sheets with parchment.
Using a whisk, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugar together until they are very light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Once you’ve combined these ingredients, stir in the flour, bicarb and ¼ tsp salt.
Scoop 18-20 tbsps of the mixture onto the trays, leaving enough space between each to allow for spreading out. Make a thumbprint in the centre of the cookies.
Bake for 10-12 mins or until firm at the edges but still soft in the middle – they should harden a little as they cool. Leave to cool on the tray for a few mins before topping each biscuit with a peanut butter cup, Rolo or Malteser (or your chosen chocolate). Put your creation onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Now for the fun part, heat the chocolate in the microwave in short bursts, or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, until it’s just liquid. Scrape into a piping bag and leave to cool for a little while. Pipe the legs onto each spider, then stick two eyes on each. Leave to set.
These will keep for three days in an airtight container. You can find the full recipe here.
Halloween Punch
If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic but also Halloween themed, then this punch is designed for you! Get making this spooky delight using these ingredients:
2l cherry juice
Peel from 3 oranges , pared with a vegetable peeler
1 thumb-sized red chilli, pierced a few times but left whole
3 cinnamon sticks
10 cloves
6 slices ginger
Dracula's fangs sweets (available from sweet shops), to serve, optional
Tip the cherry juice, orange peel, chilli, cinnamon sticks, cloves and ginger into a large saucepan. Heat for 5 mins, then turn off the heat. Leave it to cool, then chill for at least 4 hrs, or up to 2 days – the longer you leave it the more intense the flavours will get. If serving it to young children, take the chilli out after a few hours.
These are just a few of the recipes you can make for this Halloween, we hope you have a fun and sensible time no matter what you get up to! Make sure you check out our new drinks menu - it’ll add that little bit extra to your Halloween!