There’s something magical about Halloween. As the leaves turn and the air cools, kitchens everywhere come alive with the smell of cinnamon, chocolate, and candy. Whether you’re planning a haunted house party, a classroom celebration, or a cozy night in with scary movies, Halloween baking is the perfect way to embrace the spooky season.
From eerie eyeball cupcakes to jack-o’-lantern hand pies, Halloween baking offers endless opportunities to get creative, get messy, and make memories. This guide is filled with easy-to-follow recipes, decorating tips, and festive ideas that will thrill kids and adults alike.
Ready to haunt your kitchen? Let’s dive into the best Halloween baking treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat.
1. Ghost Brownies
Rich, fudgy brownies topped with marshmallow ghosts make for the perfect spooky dessert. They’re ideal for parties, bake sales, or movie nights.
What You’ll Need:
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Brownie base (homemade or boxed)
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Ganache or frosting
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Large marshmallows + fondant or melted marshmallow for draping
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Black decorating gel or melted chocolate for ghost faces
Pro Tip: Let kids decorate the ghost faces with silly or scary expressions.
2. Halloween Webbed Chocolate Bark
This no-bake treat is as easy as melt, pour, and decorate. A spiderweb design made from white chocolate adds a creepy touch to rich dark or milk chocolate bark.
Topping Ideas:
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Candy eyeballs
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Crushed Oreos
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Halloween sprinkles
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Gummy worms or candy corn
Fun Twist: Use a toothpick to drag the white chocolate into spiderwebs for a wow factor.
3. Jack-O’-Lantern Hand Pies
These mini pumpkin-shaped pastries are stuffed with sweet apple cinnamon or pumpkin filling and carved with playful jack-o’-lantern faces.
Best For: Bake sales, fall picnics, or individual Halloween party desserts.
Filling Options:
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Apple cinnamon
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Pumpkin spice
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Nutella
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Cherry jam
Make them ahead, freeze unbaked, and pop them in the oven when needed.
4. Monster Eyeball Cupcakes
Turn your favorite cupcake recipe into a Halloween masterpiece by adding candy eyeballs, bold frosting colors, and spooky faces.
Decorating Tips:
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Use a piping bag to swirl purple, green, or orange frosting.
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Stick candy eyes all over for a “monster under the bed” vibe.
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Add fangs using mini marshmallows cut into triangles.
5. Mummy Sugar Cookies
Classic sugar cookies wrapped in white icing strips to look like tiny mummies—these are spooky, sweet, and perfect for decorating with kids.
How to Make:
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Bake simple sugar cookies
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Pipe white royal icing or melted candy coating in criss-cross patterns
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Add two candy eyeballs peeking out
Let them dry fully before packaging or stacking.
6. Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups
These are a no-bake classic that layers chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and candy pumpkins for a kid-friendly Halloween dessert.
Layer Like This:
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Chocolate pudding
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Crushed Oreo “dirt”
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Candy pumpkins or gummy worms on top
Serve in: Clear plastic cups with mini spoons for an easy party treat.
7. Bloody Red Velvet Cake
This dramatic dessert is perfect for older Halloween parties or gothic themes. A deep red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and raspberry “blood” drizzle makes for a spooky centerpiece.
Decoration Ideas:
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Use a knife to create “slashes” in the frosting
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Drip raspberry or strawberry sauce down the sides
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Top with blackberries or black sprinkles for extra drama
8. Witch Hat Cookies
Simple and fast, these cookies are made from store-bought fudge-striped cookies, a Hershey’s Kiss, and a dab of colored frosting.
Assembly:
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Flip the cookie so the chocolate bottom faces up
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Place a Kiss in the center with frosting
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Pipe a little frosting “band” in orange or green for a hat ribbon
Perfect for baking with kids or adding to party platters.
9. Graveyard Cake
Turn a sheet cake or tray of brownies into a spooky cemetery scene.
Toppings & Decorations:
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Crushed Oreos = “dirt”
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Milano cookies or graham crackers = gravestones (use edible markers!)
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Gummy worms = creepy crawlies
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Green frosting = grass
Label the gravestones with R.I.P., spooky names, or funny puns for laughs.
10. Spiderweb Cheesecake
Take a simple cheesecake and transform it into a Halloween showpiece with a spiderweb chocolate swirl on top.
How To:
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Pipe concentric circles of melted chocolate on top of the cheesecake
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Drag a toothpick from the center outward to create web lines
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Optional: Add a candy spider on top
Elegant, spooky, and indulgent.
11. Candy Corn Cupcakes
Love it or hate it, candy corn is an iconic Halloween treat. These cupcakes celebrate the color and nostalgia—even if you don’t use the actual candy!
Color Layers:
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Divide vanilla cupcake batter into three bowls
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Dye yellow, orange, and leave one white
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Layer into cupcake liners and bake
Top with fluffy white frosting and a single candy corn for a festive finish.
12. Black Cat Sugar Cookies
Channel some Halloween superstition with sleek black cat cookies.
How to Decorate:
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Use a cat-shaped cookie cutter
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Cover in black royal icing
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Add gold or green eyes with icing or sprinkles
Great for gifting or adding to a dessert board.
13. Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats
A no-bake, kid-approved favorite made Halloween-ready with a little food coloring and chocolate.
Decorate Like This:
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Tint melted marshmallows green before mixing with cereal
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Cut into rectangles and dip the top in chocolate “hair”
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Add candy eyes and pipe a stitched mouth
Store in an airtight container and watch them disappear.
14. Bat Brownies
These easy bat brownies come together with a brownie base, Oreo wings, and candy eyes.
Assemble Like This:
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Cut brownies into rectangles or circles
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Break Oreos in half for wings and insert on each side
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Stick candy eyes on top with frosting or melted chocolate
They’re cute, spooky, and ready in minutes.
15. Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bars
Marble pumpkin and cheesecake together over a graham cracker crust for a seasonal treat that feels fancy but is easy to make.
Flavor Boost: Add a dash of maple extract or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.
Perfect for more adult-oriented Halloween gatherings or fall potlucks.
Tips for Hosting a Halloween Baking Party
Want to turn your baking into a celebration? Here’s how to host your own spooky bake day:
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Set the scene: Play Halloween music, light some candles, and decorate your space.
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Bake in stations: Let each person work on a different recipe or decorating station.
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Use edible decorations: Candy eyes, licorice, sprinkles, and mini marshmallows go a long way.
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Label treats: Fun name cards like “Goblin Guts Brownies” or “Witch Warts Cookies” add humor.
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Send guests home with goodies: Provide cute Halloween treat bags or boxes.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Many Halloween treats can be made in advance and stored easily:
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Cookies and hand pies: Store in airtight containers for up to 3–5 days.
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Bark and brownies: Keep at room temperature for 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
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Cupcakes and cakes: Frost and decorate the day before for best results.
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Rice Krispie treats: Best enjoyed within 2–3 days.
