As the moon rises and the shadows deepen, it’s time to unleash your inner ghoul with a Halloween gathering that will delight your guests and send chills down their spines! This year, we’re conjuring up a frightfully delicious spread that includes creepy cocktails and eerie eats that are sure to be the talk of the afterlife. Sip on a chilling Zombitini, a green-hued concoction that’s equal parts refreshing and spine-tingling or quench your thirst with the gruesomely delightful Halloween Blood Bag, served in playful IV bags for that extra scare factor. For those with a sweet tooth, our Spider Peanut Butter Blossoms will wrap you in a web of flavor, while the Halloween Bruschetta offers a savory bite that’s perfect for any haunt. And let’s not forget the showstopper—Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Skulls that bring a little heat and a lot of fun to your festive feast. Join us as we dive into these frightfully fantastic recipes that will elevate your Halloween festivities from ordinary to extraordinary!

The recipes can be found here:

• Zombitini
• Halloween Blood Bag
• Spider Peanut Butter Blossoms
• Halloween Bruschetta
• Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Skulls

 

Zombitini: A Spooktacular Cocktail for Halloween

Get ready to raise your glass to the undead with this eye-catching Zombitini! This vibrant cocktail combines the tropical flavors of melon and pineapple with a splash of sweetness and a hint of fizz.

The recipe can be found here and is for one cocktail. Here’s how it comes together:

• 1 oz White Rum: A smooth base that adds a light, rum-infused flavor.
• 2 oz Melon Liqueur: This bright green liqueur gives the drink its signature hue and a sweet, fruity taste.
• 2 oz Pineapple Juice: Fresh and tropical, this juice enhances the fruity profile and balances the sweetness.
• Sprite: A splash of Sprite adds carbonation and a refreshing zing.
• Splash of Grenadine: Drizzled in at the end, the grenadine sinks to the bottom, creating a haunting blood-like effect.
• Ice: Fill your glass with ice to keep this spooky drink chilled.
• Plastic Eyeball: For the ultimate Halloween touch, float a plastic eyeball in the glass for a creepy garnish.

 

Start by filling a cocktail shaker with ice. Then pour in the rum, melon liqueur, and pineapple juice.  Shake vigorously before straining into a martini glass.

Top with Sprite until the glass is almost full. Carefully drizzle a little grenadine in the center of the glass. It will sink to the bottom, creating a layered effect. Place a plastic eyeball in the glass as a decoration and you are ready to indulge.

The recipe can be found here and is for one cocktail.

Halloween Blood Bag: A Frighteningly Delicious Drink

Prepare to shock and delight your guests with the eerie Halloween Blood Bag—a ghastly drink that looks as spooky as it tastes delicious! This concoction combines vodka, cranberry juice, and fruit punch for a sweet and tangy flavor that’s sure to please.

The recipe can be found here and is for one cocktail. Here’s how it comes together:

• 2 oz Vodka: This clear spirit serves as the base, bringing a smooth kick to your drink.
• 3 oz Cranberry Juice: This tart juice adds a deep red hue and enhances the drink’s fruity profile, reminiscent of the classic “blood” color.
• 4 oz Fruit Punch: A blend of various fruit flavors, this ingredient brings sweetness and a tropical twist, making the cocktail more enjoyable.
• Decorative Blood Bag: Serve the drink in a fun, thematic blood bag for that extra Halloween flair—it’s both a spooky presentation and a conversation starter!

 

Start by rinsing (and cleaning) out the blood bags and washing the syringe or funnel that’s included. Mine came with a funnel. Then, make sure the outside of the bags is completely dry and attach the stickers that should have also been provided, for decorative purposes. The stickers will most likely say blood type or other funny blood sayings.

Add the ingredients to a measuring cup and stir together. Use the syringe to suck up the mixture to fill the bag or pour into the funnel to fill the bag (depending on which came with your bags). Pour SLOWLY as air will also get into the bag and need to escape. Air bubbles might “burp” while you pour.

Use the clips that also came with the bags to seal completely. This will allow you to lay the bag down without the liquid spilling out, until ready to enjoy.

Repeat the recipe to fill the rest of the bags, if you want to make more than one.  When ready, serve and enjoy!

The recipe can be found here and is for one cocktail.

Spider Peanut Butter Blossoms: A Spooky Twist on a Classic Treat

Get ready for a hauntingly delightful dessert that will add a festive touch to your Halloween celebrations! Spider Peanut Butter Blossoms take the beloved peanut butter blossom cookie and give it a spooky spin, perfect for sharing with friends and family. The foundation of these cookies is a rich and creamy peanut butter dough, which gives them a soft, chewy texture and a nutty flavor that everyone loves. Each cookie features a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup nestled in the center, adding a sweet, melty surprise with every bite. The real magic happens when you transform these cookies into spooky spiders! After baking, simply use melted chocolate or black icing to create spider legs. For an added effect, you can use candy eyes to bring your spiders to life. Arrange your Spider Peanut Butter Blossoms on a festive platter, perhaps alongside other Halloween treats, to create a deliciously spooky dessert table.

The recipe can be found here.

Start by preheating oven to 375 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter and egg to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat well blended. Add the flour, baking soda, and baking powder, and mix until a dough forms.

Next, use your hands to shape the dough into 1-inch balls. You want to roll each ball in additional granulated sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Then, bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.

While the cookies are baking, unwrap the peanut butter cups and press 2 candy eyeballs into each. The candy eyeballs should stick to the chocolate because it’s slightly soft. Or if there is any exposed peanut butter, use that to help hold the candy eyeballs in place.

Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a peanut butter cup into the center (ridge side down). Let cool for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and let the chocolate set. If needed, let the cookies cool in the fridge to prevent the peanut butter cups from completely melting.

Add the chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted. Add the melted chocolate to a piping bag or Ziplock bag and snip off a tiny piece of the corner. Pipe spider legs on each side of the cookies.

Let the cookies sit on the counter to allow the chocolate to set or place in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set. Serve and enjoy!

Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container on the counter.

The recipe can be found here.

Halloween Bruschetta: A Spooky Savory Treat

Elevate your Halloween spread with Halloween Bruschetta—a striking and flavorful appetizer that combines the vibrant colors of the season with delicious, bold flavors. This spooky twist on classic bruschetta will have your guests intrigued and delighted. Start with crispy toasted bread slices, such as baguette or ciabatta, which serve as the perfect canvas for your toppings.  The pesto is dyed black giving it a dramatic touch and eerie appearance while maintaining the delicious flavor of classic pesto.  The tomatoes are roasted in the oven and are a juicy yet refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese and pesto.  Let’s talk about the cheese for a minute.  The mozzarella is molded into a spooky shape (any shape of your choice) and nestled on top of the tomatoes to complete each piece.  Drizzle balsamic glaze over the top for a touch of sweetness and acidity.  It’s not only a treat for the eyes but also a delicious blend of flavors that will delight your guests.

The recipe can be found here.

I want to start by mentioning you will need a silicone candy mold in a Halloween shape to make the ghosts or another character of your choosing. I thought the ghosts were cute and that’s why I went with that shape, but you could pick skulls, tombstones, etc. You will find a mold at your local craft store, fabric store, or perhaps grocery store.

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the silicone mold on a baking sheet and add mozzarella pearls to each cavity, filling completely and breaking apart the mozzarella pearls to fit smaller spaces. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and soft. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down to form the mozzarella into each cavity. If any moisture escapes, absorb it with a paper towel. Set the silicone mold aside to let the mozzarella set and cool. This is how you create the fun “ghost” shape.

Increase the temperature of the oven to 450 degrees F. Line the same baking sheet with parchment paper.

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until soft and starting to burst. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Slice the baguette into 8 slices, about 1⁄2-inch thick. Add to the same baking sheet (maybe add a new piece of parchment paper) and slightly drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until toasted.

While the bread bakes, use a toothpick to add a small amount of black gel food coloring to the pesto and stir to combine. Add additional food coloring until the desired color is reached. Set aside.

Once the bread is toasted, remove from the oven and assemble the bruschetta on the baking sheet. Spread the pesto evenly between each piece. Top with the roasted tomatoes. Add a piece of mozzarella on top of the tomatoes.

Drizzle balsamic glaze on the bottom of a serving platter. Carefully transfer the bruschetta to the serving platter and place on top of the glaze. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the top. Serve and enjoy!

The recipe can be found here.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Skulls: A Spooktacular Treat for Halloween

Get ready to thrill your guests with Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Skulls—a fun and flavorful dish that’s sure to be a highlight of your Halloween festivities! These cheesy, spicy, and delightfully spooky skull-shaped bites are perfect for parties, combining the classic flavors of buffalo chicken with a creepy twist. For the outer shell, use pre-made pizza dough that’s pressing into a skull mold and filled with a mixture of rotisserie chicken, buffalo sauce, and shredded cheese.  Bake until golden brown and serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. For a festive touch, garnish with fresh parsley or celery sticks to echo the classic buffalo chicken presentation. These Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Skulls are not only delicious but also a playful addition to your Halloween spread. They’re perfect for sharing and will undoubtedly become a favorite at your Halloween party!

The recipe can be found here.

Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray your skull mold pan with cooking spray.

Combine the rotisserie chicken and buffalo sauce in a mixing bowl, set aside.

Unroll the pizza dough and use a rolling pin to stretch out and roll into a thin layer. Cut into 12 even sized rectangles. I ended up only needing 1 tube of dough. My skull pan is fairly shallow and doesn’t require a lot of dough. If your skull pan had deep molds, you might need 2 tubes of dough.

Place one rectangle of dough in each mold. Add a scoop of the buffalo chicken mixture and top with shredded mozzarella. Place one rectangle of dough on top of each and press the sides to completely seal. Press down slightly to form into the skull mold so it holds its shape.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the outside starts to turn golden brown and crispy. Carefully remove from each mold and serve while hot. Add some ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

The recipe can be found here.

As the night draws to a close and the spirits retreat, your Halloween gathering will be one to remember with these devilishly good treats and drinks. From the spine-tingling Zombitini to the terrifyingly tasty Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Skulls, you’ve got everything you need to create a night of spooky fun and flavorful frights. Whether you’re indulging in the sweet crunch of Spider Peanut Butter Blossoms or savoring the eerie elegance of Halloween Bruschetta, your guests will leave both haunted and satisfied. So, gather your ghouls and goblins, and let these deliciously spooky recipes take your celebration to the next level.

Happy Haunting! And Happy Cooking!