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Halloween Party for Adults: Spooky Recipes

September 16, 2011
Photo: Jennifer Causey
Who says Halloween is just for kids? We've got a Halloween party loaded with spooky recipes featuring grown-up twists: candy apples with brandy, cashew brittle with chiles, chicken with more cloves of garlic than you can even imagine. Use this collection of adult Halloween recipes to make the perfect Halloween themed dinner party menu, or pick and choose for treats that can travel with you through the neighborhood this Halloween. Don't worry--there are plenty of treats for the kids to pick from, too!
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Spooky Halloween Recipes

Photo: Romulo Yanes
Halloween treats are too much fun for kids to have all the fun: sorry, kids. These treats have a nice grown-up kick that will spice things up at your next Halloween party—and they're lighter, too.
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Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies

Use gingerbread cutters to make spooky skeletons out of these scary-good Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies. You can also use 2 1/2-inch cat or bat cutters, if you prefer. Look for meringue powder at craft stores or in the craft section of some big-box retailers.

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Cinnamon-Cider Candied Apples

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Cinnamon-Cider Candied Apples

Apple cider, Red Hots candies, and brandy provide a perfect, bloody coating for Granny Smiths. Tip: Wash the apples well to remove any waxy coating, and dry thoroughly before dipping them. Work quickly, but if the syrup begins to set, you can reheat it over low heat to liquefy.

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Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Peanut Butter Caramel Corn

Devilishly divine Peanut Butter Caramel Corn would tempt Jenny Craig, the saint of dieters.

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Honey-Orange and Chocolate Marshmallows

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipes: Honey-Orange Marshmallows

Which of these marshmallows is more wickedly tempting: cocoa-flavored–with a nice bite from dark chocolate drizzle–or orange-and-honey?

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Thai Cashew Brittle

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Thai Cashew Brittle

Sharp shards of crisp Thai Cashew Brittle combine salty cashews and hot chile paste.

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Chocolate Spider Cupcakes

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Chocolate Spider Cupcakes

It's easy to make spiderweb designs on cupcakes: Simply pipe concentric circles and drag a wooden pick through wet frosting to create a webbed effect. No bourbon? Use water instead in the frosting.

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Spiced Cider

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Spiced Cider

Don't forget the drinks! Welcome guests to your home with a warm cup of spiced cider spiked with brandy.

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Orange Chipotle-Spiced Pecan Mix

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Orange Chipotle-Spiced Pecan Mix

Prepare a batch of this smoky-sweet mix to have on hand when visitors drop by. Or pack them into jars to give as gifts.

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Jackson Pollock Candied Apples

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Jackson Pollock Candied Apples

Named for the abstract expressionist's signature paint-splattered canvases, these apples make great Halloween treats. Green Granny Smiths go well with the sweet white and bittersweet chocolates, but use any apple you like. Look for wooden sticks at craft supply stores, or use forks instead.

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Gingered Pear and Brandy Cocktail

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Gingered Pear and Brandy Cocktail

This is a timely concoction for a party: Simply prepare the gingered sugar syrup (step 1), and refrigerate it until you're ready to shake and serve the cocktails.

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Vampire-fighting Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Vampires won't be crashing this party. The wonderful mild flavor and deep aroma of roasted garlic will suffuse your whole house, and the tender braised chicken is comfort food for almost everyone.

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Maple-Chile Popcorn

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Maple-Chile Popcorn

Maple syrup provides a touch of sweet, while ground red pepper adds heat to this quick and easy appetizer. A heatproof spatula works best to combine and spread the ingredients into the pan.

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Black Cauldron

Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Black Cauldron

After the kiddies retire to inventory their candy haul, grown-ups can drink from our Black Cauldron—a spiked ice-cream float that bubbles and burbles.

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Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas

Dry your chickpeas as thoroughly as possible before cooking to ensure a satisfyingly crisp result. If you're planning to pack these flavor-coated, fiber-filled poppers as a to-go-snack, be sure to allow them to cool completely on a flat surface first.

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Sheet Pan S'mores

Photo: Iain Bagwell
View Recipe: Sheet Pan S'mores

This summertime treat is perfect for a potluck. They are great served at room temperature, but if you want, pop the pan into a warm (250°) oven for 2 minutes just until the chocolate softens for the full gooey experience. For a fruity twist, place thinly sliced bananas over the chocolate layer before adding the meringue.

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Bacon-Goat Cheese Jalapeño Poppers

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Bacon-Goat Cheese Jalapeño Poppers

Salty bacon, rich goat cheese, savory-sweet jelly, and roasted jalapeño—it takes teamwork to make the dream work. If you already have the grill going, these dreamy little bites are equally easy to cook outdoors.

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Chicken Yakitori

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Yakitori

Kids will love swapping forks for skewers to build their own kebab bites. The sweet-savory glazed chicken is perfect served with basmati rice and crisp steamed veggies.

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