Halloween Desserts for Kids: Cupcakes, Cookies, Brownies and Candy Creations

Halloween baking with kids is gloriously messy. Frosting ends up on elbows, candy eyes disappear before they reach the cupcakes, and every monster looks a little different. That's the point. The desserts below are designed for children to make : adults handle the oven, kids do the creative part.

The Halloween baking kit

Stock these and you can improvise almost anything:

• Candy eyes in assorted sizes : the hero ingredient
• Orange, green, purple and black food coloring (gel is best)
• White and chocolate frosting (store-bought is fine)
• Black and orange sprinkles
• Chocolate wafer cookies and sandwich cookies
• Mini marshmallows and large marshmallows
• Pretzel sticks
• Gummy worms
• Chocolate candies and chocolate kisses
• Disposable piping bags or zip-top bags with a corner snipped

1. Monster cupcakes

You need: cupcakes (from a mix), green, purple and orange frosting, candy eyes, sprinkles.

1. Tint frosting in bright colors.
2. Kids frost the cupcakes : messy is good.
3. Add one, two or ten candy eyes.
4. Use a cut marshmallow or chocolate chips for teeth, licorice for hair.

Every monster becomes a one-of-a-kind character.

2. Mummy brownies

1. Bake brownies and let cool completely.
2. Cut into rectangles.
3. Pipe white icing back and forth across each, leaving a small gap near the top.
4. Press two candy eyes into the gap.

Simple, striking and easy for kids to master.

3. Spider cookies

1. Press a round chocolate truffle, peanut butter cup or chocolate candy onto a soft cookie while it's warm from the oven.
2. Once cool, pipe or use thin licorice for eight legs (or break pretzel sticks).
3. Add two tiny candy eyes.

Nut-free version: use chocolate candies and check labels.

4. Ghost meringues

1. Whip egg whites with sugar into stiff, glossy peaks (adult job).
2. Pipe tall ghost shapes onto parchment.
3. Kids add mini chocolate chips for eyes and mouths.
4. Bake low and slow (around 200°F for about 90 minutes), then let dry in the oven.

Faster option: banana halves with chocolate chip faces : banana ghosts.

5. Dirt-and-worm cups

1. Layer chocolate pudding with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies ("dirt") in clear cups.
2. Push gummy worms into the top so they're crawling out.
3. Stand a cookie "tombstone" (an oval biscuit with "RIP" piped on) in each cup.

A perennial favorite, and almost impossible to get wrong.

6. Pumpkin crispy rice treats

1. Make crispy rice treats, tinting the melted marshmallow orange.
2. With buttered hands, shape into balls.
3. Push a pretzel stick or green candy into the top for a stem.
4. Pipe jack-o'-lantern faces with chocolate.

7. Witch-hat cookies

1. Pipe a ring of orange or green frosting on a chocolate wafer cookie.
2. Press a chocolate kiss into the center.

That's it : five minutes for a whole coven.

8. Candy apples and caramel apples

Dip apples in melted caramel, then roll in crushed cookies, sprinkles or mini candies. True candy apples (hard red sugar coating) involve very hot sugar syrup : that's strictly an adult task. For little kids, slice apples into wedges and let them dip in warm caramel instead; they're easier to eat.

9. Bat brownies or cupcakes

Cut chocolate sandwich cookies in half to make wings, then press them into the sides of a chocolate truffle or a frosted cupcake. Add candy eyes.

10. Candy bark

Spread melted chocolate on a sheet of parchment and let kids scatter candy corn, chopped candy bars, pretzels, sprinkles and candy eyes over the top. Chill and break into pieces. This is also the perfect way to use leftovers after trick-or-treating : see Halloween Candy Guide.

Which dessert for which age?

Tips for baking with kids

• Prep in advance. Bake the bases the day before; decorating is the fun bit.
• Set up stations. One tray per child with their own frosting and toppings.
• Cover the table. Parchment or a cheap plastic tablecloth makes cleanup easy.
• Embrace imperfection. Lopsided monsters are better monsters.
• Photograph everything before it gets eaten.

Allergies and safety

• Nut allergies are common; check every label and consider a nut-free kitchen day.
• Hard candies, whole grapes and large marshmallows can be choking hazards for young children.
• Many decorations are made in facilities that handle allergens : read the fine print.

Put it on the table

These desserts make a centerpiece for a kids' party or family night. Pair them with the savory ideas in The Ultimate Halloween Food Guide, then head to Family Halloween Night for movies and games to enjoy them with.