Having the grandchildren over for Trick or Treating or visiting on a day close to Halloween? Are you short on time for preparing Halloween party treats to serve them? Or, do you enjoy cooking with children? Here are sandwich, soup, and spooky ghost dessert Halloween party treats that will be fun to prepare for lunch or supper (with or for your grandchildren) and won’t take too much time:

Pumpkin Shaped Sandwiches

Total time: 45 minutes
Makes 12

Ingredients:

1 box (15 oz) refrigerated pie crusts
6 oz sliced extra-sharp Cheddar, Swiss or American cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

  •  Heat oven to 425F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil.
  • On work surface, unroll pie crust and cut each of the two crusts into 12 pumpkin shapes with a 3-in. pumpkin cookie cutter. Using a 2-in. round cutter, cut 24 rounds from the sliced ham and 24 rounds from the sliced cheese.
  • Put 2 slices each of ham and cheese in the center or each of the 12 pumpkins. With a small brush, brush beaten egg around edges.
  • Top with remaining pumpkins, carefully pressing on edges to seal. Using a spoon, make ridges on pumpkins by pressing into tops in a few places. With a small knife, pierce ridges in a couple of places to vent.
  • Place on prepared pan. Brush tops with beaten egg. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light golden. Let cool on rack a couple of minutes before serving.

Bloody Soup

Total time: 10 minutes
Makes 6 cups, 12 servings

Ingredients:

1 jar (24 to 26 oz) marinara sauce
1 jar (about 7 oz) roasted red peppers, drained
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 can (14 1/2 oz) reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Red food color (optional)

Directions:

  • Put sauce, peppers, tomatoes, oil and garlic in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
  • Pour into a medium saucepan along with the broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stirring often, bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
  • Remove from heat; stir in a few drops of food color if desired. To serve, pour from a liquid measuring cup into shot glasses or other small cups.

Spooky Ghosts

Total Time: 20 minutes
Makes 8

Ingredients:

1 box (6.2 oz) Rice Krispies Treats (8 bars)
8 ( 8- 12-in) cookie sticks
2/3 cup white ready-to-use fulled fondant
Confectioners’ sugar
16 mini-chocolate chips
Styrofoam or floral foam

Directions:

    • Roll each Rice Krispies Treat into a 2 1/2-inch-long bullet shape. Insert a cookie stick into flat end of treat, then stick into foam to stand straight.
    • Scoop out 8 rounded tablespoons of fondant. Dust surface and rolling pin with confectioners’ sugar. Roll a Tbsp at a time into a 6- 6 1/2-inch circle.
    • Drape fondant over Treat. Press on chocolate chips for eyes. Repeat with remaining fondant and chips.

Source: Woman’s Day Magazine, Nov. 1, 2008 issue