Halloween treats to make with kids should be fun for them and easy for you: no complicated techniques, no kitchen disaster. These seven recipes from TABLE’s kitchen fit that bill. Each one gives little hands a real job, from arranging candy faces to lining a pan, and each ends in a spooky, impressive result you’ll be proud to bring to the class party, set out on the Halloween table, or pack up for the trick-or-treaters you most want to wow. Many also put leftover Halloween candy to good use. Put on a spooky movie or playlist, gather your kiddos, and pick your project.

7 Easy Halloween Treats to Make with Kids

1. Simple Fudgy Peppermint Patty Brownies

Best for: the Halloween party table

Mint and chocolate isn’t for everyone, but for fans, these Simple Fudgy Peppermint Patty Brownies are paradise. Kids can place the Peppermint Patty pieces in and on the batter, then watch them melt through the oven door. Little helpers will enjoy watching the batter rise and the candies melt. They’ll enjoy the results even more. With a glass of cold milk!

2. Easy Twix Cake (No Bake)

Best for: the party table and leftover candy

This no-bake Twix cake looks far more impressive than the effort required, and it’s a smart way to use up leftover Halloween candy. Put your kiddo to work lining the pan with graham crackers while you whip up the pudding mixture. Then spread the frosting together and cover the whole top with Twix bars. The freezer does the rest.

3. Monster Rice Krispy Treats for Halloween

Best for: sharing at school and the class party

If you want something kids will be proud to hand around to friends, start here. These Monster Rice Krispie Treats come in fun colors, and each one becomes its own character, decorated with googly eye candies, candy corn, and frosting. No two look alike, so they make great conversation pieces among friends. Just don’t forget to name your monsters before you dig in: Mike, Ike, and Spike!

4. Halloween Pumpkin Pastries

Best for: the party table and anyone who wants big impact for little effort

Premade pie dough does the heavy lifting in these Halloween Pumpkin Pastries. Kids help cut the dough into thin, long strips and wrap them over the pumpkin filling to make a pumpkin-filled mummy, then add googly eyes on top. The recipe uses only eight ingredients (googly eyes included), so you get a plate of adorable pastries that look like you fussed all afternoon.

5. Halloween Candy Bark

Best for: trick-or-treat night, party favors, and picky eaters

Every kid gets their own corner of the bark to decorate, so nobody argues about flavors. Finely chop each child’s favorite candies, then let them customize their section with different colors of chocolate. The result is a colorful smorgasbord that breaks into shareable pieces, which makes it easy to bag up as a party favor or a special treat for the trick-or-treaters you know best.

6. Marshmallow Monster Popcorn

Best for: school, parties, and wrapped-up trick-or-treat treats

Kids love ooey, gooey, sticky projects, and these green slime monsters deliver. Similar to Rice Krispie Treats, the recipe uses marshmallows to hold together popcorn and pretzel sticks. Roll the mixture into a popcorn ball, stick in pretzel sticks for arms, and add the essential googly eyes. Each monster is its own single serving, so they’re easy to pass out at school, pile on a party table, or wrap individually for trick-or-treaters.

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

Best for: older kids and the party dessert table

This last recipe is a bit tricky for tiny hands, but the frosting step is where kids shine. These Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies have a hint of pumpkin and spice with a creamy cheesecake surprise in the center. After they bake and cool, let your kids decorate each one with a frosting pumpkin on top. Challenge your family to make pumpkins in every shade, plus a few jack-o’-lanterns, to keep the fun flowing.

Best Halloween Treats for School, Parties, and Trick-or-Treaters

To share at school: Monster Rice Krispie Treats, Marshmallow Monster Popcorn, and Halloween Candy Bark are easy to portion and fun to trade.

For a Halloween party table: Easy Twix Cake, Simple Fudgy Peppermint Patty Brownies, Halloween Pumpkin Pastries, and Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies make a spread.

For special trick-or-treaters: Wrap up Halloween Candy Bark, Monster Rice Krispie Treats, or Marshmallow Monster Popcorn individually.

Tips for Sharing Homemade Halloween Treats

Before you bake for a crowd, check your school’s or classroom’s policy on homemade treats, since many have rules about ingredients and allergies. Wrap treats individually for trick-or-treaters, and consider adding a small tag listing the ingredients so parents know what’s inside. Let kids handle the placing, stirring, and decorating while you take care of the oven and the sharp knives. Want more ideas? Browse TABLE’s Cooking with Kids recipes.

About the Author

Kylie Thomas is TABLE Magazine’s Online Editor, covering Pittsburgh food, drink, and going out, including the Things to Do in Pittsburgh column. A Point Park University graduate, her work has also appeared on The Takeout, QBurgh, and Empire Extreme. She also runs the photography business Photos by Ky. 

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