Halloween is the one time of year when it is socially acceptable to gorge ourselves on candy whilst looking like a zombie (apart from finals week). The smell of candy corn and alcohol fills the air as parties are in full swing, and for some, the urge to bake overtakes every other emotion.

Instead of bringing a six pack to your friend's costume party, bake (or buy — we won't judge) a sweet treat like these red velvet cupcakes and top it with one of these spooky and impressive dessert decorations.

They take only a few ingredients and can be made in minutes, and will ensure that your party food isn't left out of the costume fun. 

Cookie Witch Hats

  • Prep Time:2 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:2 mins
  • Servings:4
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 4 Hershey's Kisses
  • 4 Keebler's Fudge Stripe or other chocolate cookie
  • 2 tbsp vanilla frosting
  • 2 drops green food coloring
  • 1 drop blue food coloring
chocolate, butter, peanut butter, peanut
Julia Hedelman
  • Step 1

    In a small bowl, mix together frosting and food coloring until well combined.

    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 2

    Unwrap Hershey's Kisses and place rounded teaspoon of frosting on the bottom of the Kiss.

    chocolate, cake, candy
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 3

    Place each Kiss frosting-side-down on the underside of each Fudge Stripe cookie, pressing slightly so the frosting sticks out in a belt around the Kiss.

    chocolate
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 4

    Place on your treat of choice and enjoy!

    #SpoonTip: Angle the hat slightly — it creates a more convincing hat-effect.

    chocolate, cake, cream, candy, sweet, goody, pastry, sprinkles, muffin
    Julia Hedelman

Pretzel Pumpkins

  • Prep Time:2 mins
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:7 mins
  • Servings:25
  • Medium

    Ingredients

  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 4 drops red food coloring
  • 6 drops yellow food coloring
  • 25 mini pretzels
  • 25 chocolate chunks
coffee, cereal, herb, cinnamon
Julia Hedelman
  • Step 1

    In a microwave safe bowl, combine white chocolate chips and coconut oil.

    cereal, corn, vegetable, sweet
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 2

    Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until just melted. Stir until smooth.

    sweet, dairy product, cream, milk
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 3

    Add red and yellow food coloring to melted chocolate and mix until the color is fully incorporated.

    #SpoonTip: Play around with the color until you're satisfied — if it's too light, add more red; too dark, add more yellow.

    cream, sweet
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 4

    Using a fork, dunk each pretzel into the orange melted chocolate so that it is fully covered.

    sweet, egg, persimmon, vegetable, caramel, juice
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 5

    Tap off excess chocolate and place on wax paper.

    vegetable
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 6

    While the chocolate is still wet, place a chocolate chunk on the top as a pumpkin stem.

    nut, sweet, vegetable
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 7

    Let harden completely at room temperature, place on treat, and enjoy!

    #SpoonTip: Turn a cupcake into a mini pumpkin patch by leaning multiple pretzel pumpkins on each other.

    cupcake, chocolate, cake, caramel, sweet
    Julia Hedelman

Shattered Candy Glass

  • Prep Time:2 mins
  • Cook Time:15 mins
  • Total Time:17 mins
  • Servings:24
  • Hard

    Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 drops red food coloring
cupcake, chocolate, cream, strawberry
Julia Hedelman
  • Step 1

    Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

    cake, coffee
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 2

    Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.

    soup
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 3

    Boil for about 15 minutes or until the temperature reaches 300°, stirring constantly.

    #SpoonTip: If you don't have a candy thermometer, wait until the mixture has just started to thicken and has a slight pale-gold color. Do not let it get too golden, though, or the glass will not appear clear!

    tea
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 4

    Remove from heat and carefully pour onto wax paper-lined cookie sheet so it spreads evenly.

    coffee, tea
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 5

    Let cool completely until hardened.

    #SpoonTip: If you're short on time, put it in the freezer.

    cake
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 6

    While candy glass hardens, mix honey and food coloring to form "blood."

    #SpoonTip: If your "blood" is too thick, add 1/4 tsp of water to thin it out. If it is too light, add a drop of blue food coloring.

    coffee, wine, espresso, chocolate
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 7

    Break the candy glass into pieces with your hands, or, for a more shattered effect, tap large pieces with a hammer or the ends of scissors.

    ice, sweet, juice, strawberry
    Julia Hedelman
  • Step 8

    Stick candy glass shards into prepared treats of your choice and drizzle with "blood."

    #SpoonTip: For a more dramatic contrast, use on lighter colored desserts.

    cupcake, chocolate, cream, caramel
    Julia Hedelman

These Halloween treat toppers are the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and step up your baking game. Happy haunting!