MORRIS: Spooktacular Halloween party guide: Simple tips for food, music & spooky decor

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Halloween is just a few days away, and whether you’re hosting a costume party or a cozy gathering, a few simple tricks can help you pull off a party that’s fun, impressive, and stress-free. From spooky decor ideas to appetizers and desserts that will wow your guests, I’ve got you covered. Plus, I’ll share one of my favorite pumpkin recipes from cookingwithcassandra.com that’s perfect for your Halloween dessert table. Let’s dive in!

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1. Set the Mood with a Chilling Atmosphere

Creating the perfect Halloween vibe is easier than you think

Lighting: Swap out regular light bulbs for orange or purple ones to instantly create an eerie mood.
DIY Decor: You don’t need to spend a lot to transform your space into something hauntingly fun. Here are a few simple DIY decor ideas:
Paper Bats and Ghosts: Cut out bat shapes from black construction paper or hang cheesecloth ghosts for a fun, homemade touch.
Pumpkin Lanterns: If carving pumpkins feels like too much work, try making easy pumpkin lanterns! Cut off the top of a small white pumpkin, hollow it out by removing the seeds and pulp, and place an LED tea light candle inside. The soft glow through the opening adds a cozy, autumn feel to your table or walkway—no intricate carving needed.
Cute Decor Ideas: Check out my curated list of Halloween decor items on Amazon! From adorable little white pumpkins to scatter around your appetizer spread, to stylish table settings perfect for a sit-down meal, I’ve handpicked items that will take your Halloween party to the next level.
Music: The right music can elevate the mood at your party. I’ve put together a spooky Halloween playlist just for you! It’s filled with classics like Thriller and Ghostbusters, along with eerie soundtracks to keep the haunting atmosphere alive. Scan the QR code at the end of the article to visit my blog post, where you’ll find the Spotify playlist link, my Amazon decor list, and even more Halloween recipes and ideas. It’s your one-stop shop for everything Halloween!

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2. Tips for Hosting Trick-or-Treaters

If you’re hosting a Halloween party, you will most likely have trick-or-treaters stopping by throughout the night.

Here are a few tips to keep things fun and running smoothly:

Create a Fun Candy Station: Instead of just setting out a candy bowl, make it part of your spooky decor! Use a festive cauldron or large pumpkin bowl to make grabbing candy more exciting for guests or trick-or-treaters. For an extra touch, consider adding a sign that says: “Beware! Enter if you dare!” to add a sense of adventure and fun for trick-or-treaters.
Pre-Pack Treats: Pre-package candy or small goodies in cute Halloween bags. This makes it easy to hand them out quickly and ensures every kid gets a fair share.
Fun Non-Candy Options: If you want to mix things up, consider small toys like glow sticks, stickers, or Halloween-themed pencils for the trick-or-treaters who stop by.
Light the Path: Make sure your walkway is well-lit for trick-or-treaters. Battery-operated lanterns or string lights can enhance the eerie decor while ensuring everyone stays safe.

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3. Quick and Easy Halloween Appetizers

The real star of any Halloween party is the food, and these appetizers are not only delicious but also super easy to make:

Three-Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip: This dip is the perfect addition to any Halloween party. Made with just three ingredients and ready in less than 20 minutes, it’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. Its bright orange color perfectly complements the Halloween theme! Serve with blue corn tortilla chips or veggie sticks for a crowd-pleaser that’ll disappear in no time.

Witches’ Broomsticks: These cheese and pretzel broomsticks are a fun, festive addition to any Halloween spread, whether you’re adding them to a charcuterie board or serving them as a quick snack for the kids. The best part? You only need 3 ingredients and 10 minutes to make them!

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Ingredients:
1. 12 pretzel sticks
2. 6 cheese strings, halved crosswise
3. 12 fresh chives

Instructions:
1. Cut the cheese strings in half: Take each cheese string and cut it in half crosswise.
2. Insert the pretzel stick: Push a pretzel stick about one-third of the way into the cut end of each cheese half.
3. Fray the cheese: Gently pull apart the loose end of the cheese string to create the look of a broomstick, pulling the strands about two-thirds of the way up, while leaving the section where the pretzel is inserted intact.
4. Tie with a chive (optional step): Wrap a piece of chive around the top of the cheese, just above where the pretzel is inserted, and trim any excess chive with scissors for a neat look.
5. Serve: Place your broomstick pretzels on a platter and enjoy this fun, Halloween-themed snack!

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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Roasted pumpkin seeds are always a great snack to have on hand during Halloween season. They instantly bring out that Halloween feeling and are easy to make!
Halloween-Themed Charcuterie Board: Serve up a fall-inspired charcuterie board with cheese, cured meats, roasted nuts, and seasonal fruits. Add some black crackers or beet hummus for that extra spooky color pop.

4. Festive Drinks Without the Fuss

You don’t need to be a mixologist to serve fun Halloween drinks. Keep it simple but lively with these ideas:
Witch’s Brew Punch: Serve a fruity punch in a large bowl or pitcher with floating gummy worms and plastic spiders for a creative touch. Keep it kid-friendly, or spike it for the adults.
Blood Red Sangria: Make a red wine sangria with blackberries and oranges for a festive, yet delicious, drink. Serve it in dark glasses to add an extra touch of Halloween flair.
Spooky Caesar: Give the classic Canadian Caesar cocktail a creepy twist! Rim the glasses with black salt and garnish with green olives, mini pickles, a strip of crispy bacon, and even a skewer of roasted garlic cloves—perfect vampire repellent to keep the creatures of the night at bay. The secret ingredient? A dash of pickle juice for extra tang. It’s a party favorite that’s perfect for Halloween!

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5. Make-Ahead Halloween Desserts

No Halloween party is complete without something sweet! These desserts are easy to make ahead of time and perfect for the occasion:
Spiderweb Brownies: Use your favorite brownie recipe and top with simple spider web designs using white icing. These are festive, fun, and always a hit.

Recipe of the Week

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

For this week’s recipe, I’m featuring my Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. This single-layer cake is incredibly moist, packed with warm fall spices, and topped with smooth cream cheese frosting. The best part? It’s quick and easy to make! Perfect for any fall gathering, and with a little Halloween flair—like a drizzle of orange and black icing or sprinkles— it’s a recipe everyone will be talking about!

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Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated white sugar
1 ¾ cups pure pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Make the Pumpkin Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
3. Beat wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, and vanilla with a hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then continue mixing for an additional 30 seconds.
4. Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in thirds, mixing on low speed until just combined. The batter should be smooth and thick.
5. Bake the cake: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Since baking times can vary, check the cake at the 25-minute mark. It’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Pro Tip: If the top or edges start to brown too quickly, loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
6. Cool the Cake: After removing the cake from the oven, place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool for 45 minutes. Once it’s cooled down, I like to place the cake in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.

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Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese and butter: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together with a handheld mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Add sugar and flavoring: Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 2 minutes.
3. Frost the cake: Spread the frosting over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the icing to set.
Storage: Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Throwing a Halloween party doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few spooky decor touches, crowd-pleasing appetizers like my Three-Ingredient Orange Chili Cheese Dip or Witch’s Broomstick Pretzels, and make-ahead desserts like Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, you’ll have everything you need to host a frightfully fun evening. With these trick-or-treating tips, you’ll be prepared for any ghosts or goblins that come knocking at your door. Don’t forget to scan the QR code to read my blog post, where you’ll find more party ideas plus links to my Amazon decor list and Halloween Spotify playlist. So gather your friends, serve up some festive treats, and enjoy a Halloween party that’s both simple and delicious!

— Cassandra Morris, food blogger and recipe developer at CookingWithCassandra.com, shares her favorite Halloween party tips and easy-to-make recipes for a frightfully fun celebration. Follow her blog for more holiday inspiration, delicious recipes, and entertaining ideas that will wow your guests

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