Halloween 2023: 5 trick-or-treat homemade candy recipes

Halloween is the perfect time for costumes, spooky decorations, and best of all, sweet treats! While store-bought candies are readily available, there's something that might stop a lot of us from buying them. The additives, preservatives, coloring and not to forget the excess sugar and corn syrup. While Halloween does call for sweet treats, prioritizing health is also important. During this time, there is just something special about making your own homemade candies to share with trick-or-treaters or enjoy with your family and friends. Here we list five delightful and easy-to-make candy recipes that will add a touch of homemade magic to your Halloween festivities. 1. Pumpkin spice caramels To indulge in the warm flavors of fall, you can try making these Pumpkin Spice Caramels. All you need is granulated sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Then, in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and heavy cream over medium-high heat. Stir until the mixture reaches 248°F (120°C) on a candy thermometer. Then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Pour the mixture into a greased and parchment-lined baking dish. Make sure it isn’t spread flat and has some height to it. Let it cool and set for a few hours before cutting it into small squares and wrapping them individually in wax paper or cellophane. 2. Candy corn bark For a visually appealing and tasty treat, you can try making Candy corn bark. The recipe only requires white chocolate, candy corn, pretzel sticks, and Halloween-themed sprinkles which can be easily available in nearby stores. To make, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the melted white chocolate onto it, spreading it evenly. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle candy corn, pretzel pieces, and Halloween-themed sprinkles on top. Allow the bark to cool and harden, then break it into pieces. Candy corn barks offer a delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors. 3. Witchy truffles To make these bewitching delights, you'll need dark chocolate, heavy cream, cocoa powder, and various colored sanding sugars. To prepare, heat the heavy cream until hot but not boiling and pour it over chopped dark chocolate to create a rich, thick ganache. After refrigerating the ganache until firm, scoop it out and roll it into truffle-sized balls. Then roll each truffle in cocoa powder or one of the colored sanding sugars to give them a magical appearance. 4. Marshmallow pops For a fun and easy Halloween treat that both kids and adults will adore, try making marshmallow pops. You'll just need marshmallows, white chocolate chips, some lollipop sticks, and mini chocolate chips for the eyes (preferably dark chocolate instead of white). Then go on to insert a lollipop stick into each marshmallow, dip them into melted white chocolate, and place two mini chocolate chips on each marshmallow to create eyes while the chocolate is still wet. Let them set on a parchment-lined tray until the chocolate hardens. You can also alternate between the dipping chocolate, i.e., if you dip the marshmallow in white chocolate, add dark chocolate chips and vice versa. 5. Rice Krispie treats Combine the classic taste of Rice Krispie treats with a spooky twist. To make these, gather Rice krispies cereal, mini marshmallows , butter, white chocolate chips, and candy eyeballs. Then, melt the butter, add the mini marshmallows, and stir until smooth to create the base. Now add the Rice Krispies in the mixture till it gets a little thick. Shape the mixture into small bars using greased hands and then dip a toothpick into melted white chocolate. Using the chocolate-covered toothpick, make some lines on the Krispie bars and then place the candy eyeballs over it. Let them cool and set before enjoying.