In October, the air becomes crisp and cool, leaves begin to fall, and we enjoy the turn of season. Halloween and its treats are just ahead.

The customs of Halloween come from several traditions. Trick or treat probably dates back to a ninth-century practice called "souling." Early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes," square loaves of bread studded with currants. Fortunately, today's treats are a bit sweeter. Among our favorites are spiderweb cookies.

Whether you spend Halloween at a party or meandering from house to house, they're ideal. The chocolaty crunch and white glaze make them a delicious treat for all sorts of ghouls and goblins. Don't worry about creating perfect webs. The more imperfect, the scarier the effect, but only before you take a bite.