Halloween-Themed Eats to Start the Party

Severed fingers, witches' brew: 'Tis the season for frighteningly good Halloween eats. 

And, regardless if you're planning for a party of costumed characters, or are just looking to add some life to your kids' plates, these festive Halloween-themed recipes are sure to please. 

Have your own scary good Halloween food recipes? Share them with us in the comments section below. 

Cheesy Jack-o'-Lantern

Ingredients

• 3 green onions, divided
• 2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
• 1pkg. (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/4cup  finely chopped red peppers
• 2 slices pepperoni  
• Crackers

Make it

CUT 4-inch length from green end of 1 onion; slice remaining onions. Beat cream cheese and 1-1/4 cups cheddar with mixer until well blended. Stir in sliced onions and peppers. Refrigerate 1 hour.

SHAPE into ball; roll in remaining cheddar. Cut pepperoni into shapes for the jack-o'-lantern's eyes, nose and mouth; press into cheese ball to make face. Insert green onion piece into top for stem.

SERVE with crackers.

Severed Fingers

Ingredients

• Hot dogs 
• Ketchup 

Make it

Carve hot dogs

Heat on a baking sheet in the oven until warm

Add ketchup for the severed finger blood effect

Caramel Apples with Coconut and Chocolate Drizzle

Ingredients

• 5 apples (1-1/2 lb.), washed and well dried
• 1 package (14 oz.) Caramels
• 2 Tbsp. water
• 1-1/2 cups Baker's angel flake coconut, toasted
• 2oz. Baker's semi-sweet chocolate

Make it

INSERT wooden pop sticks into stem ends of apples. Microwave caramels and water in deep microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes, or until caramels are melted, stirring every minute.

DIP apples in caramel, turning to evenly coat; scrape excess from bottoms of apples. Roll apples in coconut; place on greased tray. Refrigerate 15 min.

MICROWAVE chocolate in separate deep microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. to 1 min. 15 sec. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min.; stir until completely melted. Drizzle chocolate over apples; return to tray. Let stand until chocolate is firm. Keep refrigerated.

Tips: You can substitute 2/3 cup chopped salted peanuts for the toasted coconut. If your apples are waxed, be sure to completely wash off the wax before dipping apples in melted caramels.

Pink brain shooter

Ingredients

• 1 brain-shaped gelatin mold
• 4 (3 ounce) packages peach flavored gelatin mix
• 3 cups boiling water
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) canevaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups peach schnapps
• 4 drops blue food coloring
• 2 drops red food coloring
• 2 teaspoons water

Make it

Lightly oil a brain-shaped gelatin mold.

Stir the peach gelatin mix with boiling water in a bowl to dissolve the gelatin. Allow to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Mix in the evaporated milk and peach schnapps; pour into the prepared mold. Refrigerate until set, 4 to 6 hours.

To decorate, dip the mold in very warm water (don't let the water enter the top of the mold) to loosen; invert the mold on a serving platter and lift to leave the brain in place.

Mix blue and red food coloring in a small bowl with 2 teaspoons of water. Use a small clean paintbrush to paint the coloring into the grooves of the brain. Return the brain to the refrigerator until the food coloring sets. Serve cold.

Tip: A non-alcoholic version may be made by substituting water for peach schnapps.

Looking for more recipes? Check out our recipes from Halloween 2011 here.