Halloween this year is going to look a little different than usual. Due to COVID-19 some families are staying home and celebrating in their own way! One way to still have a spooktacular Halloween is by making a fun fall treat with your family and friends. So grab a family member, preheat your oven, and prepare your stomach for a fall taste sensation!

One October classic is roasted pumpkin seeds. Since carving pumpkins is something that families can do safely at home this Halloween, this recipe utilizes leftover pumpkin seeds from the inside of your hollowed-out pumpkin. Don’t throw away your seeds after carving, make sure to wash and dry them, then grab this recipe and get baking! This recipe is super simple and fast. It only needs three ingredients and only takes about 45 minutes to make!

Ingredients: 

• 1 ½ cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 pinch salt 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.
3. Enjoy the delicious treat with family and friends! (ALLRECIPES) 

Another fall favorite is a spooky take on the classic Rice Krispie treat. These fun pumpkin-shaped goodies are packed with flavor and super simple to create. The cuteness and deliciousness of these goodies make them the perfect little kid-friendly recipe, but are sure to please even the oldest of tasters! Our own YLHS culinary teacher and chef extraordinaire, Mrs. Messick, offered us this next recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
• 1 ½ Tbsp. butter
• 5 oz. marshmallows (1/2 bag)
• Red and yellow food coloring (mixing the two will make orange)
• 6 green candies to make stems

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
2. Add marshmallows and stir constantly until melted.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add approximately 1/8 teaspoon of red food coloring and a very small drop of yellow food coloring. Adjust the colors until the desired bright orange color.
5. Mix in Rice Krispie cereal.
6. Form small balls into the shape of a pumpkin. You may need to add butter to your hands before forming the balls.
7. Place the candy “stem” into the top of the pumpkin while still warm.

Mrs. Messick also was kind enough to share this next recipe! Mrs. Messick (S) said “Fall is the time of the year when family and tradition come together in the kitchen. The flavors and aromas we experience during this season are the ones that last us a lifetime. These are the reasons why I like making recipes related to this time of the year.” This recipe is a delicious Old-Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookie. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup pure pumpkin
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Glaze Recipe (drizzle glaze: cooled cookies)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk
• 1 Tbsp. melted butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  Combine ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.

Instruction: 

Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F in a convection oven)

1. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Beat sugar and butter in the electric mixer bowl until well blended. 
3. Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 
5. Drop by rounded tablespoons (small disher scoop) onto prepared baking sheets (use parchment paper).
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes (13 minutes in a convection oven). 
7. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Once cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the cookies.

One last fall recipe is a festive pumpkin dip!

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup cream cheese
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup pumpkin
• 2 tsp. maple syrup
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon 

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients.

*Serving suggestions: sliced apples, graham crackers, cinnamon/sugar pita chips. (GENIUSKITCHEN) 

Even though the Pandemic has put a damper on this year’s fall festivities, cooking with your family can still be a source of fun. These recipes will brighten your fall festivities and are sure to bring a smile to all age groups.