Simple tricks to make Halloween treats

Halloween is just around the corner, and with it comes many tricks and treats specific to the holiday season. Focus on the “treats” part of Halloween with these easy-to-make Halloween-inspired sweets, whether you live somewhere with a kitchen or maybe just a microwave.

The first treat is a fall-inspired version of the ever-popular microwave mug cake: Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake. If you haven’t gotten your fill of pumpkin spice already by drinking too many PSLs (Pumpkin Spice Lattes), check out this easy recipe that takes only a minute to make!

Ingredients

1. Cooking spray


2. 1 Egg, beaten


3. 1 tbsp brown sugar (packed)


4. ½ tsp of baking powder


5. 1 tbsp flour


6. 2 tbsp pumpkin puree


7. ½ tsp vanilla extract


8. ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice


9. Maple syrup (for drizzling on top, optional)

1. Spray mug (extra points if it’s a Mercer Mug) with cooking spray. Set aside for now.


2. Whisk together egg, sugar, baking powder, flour, pumpkin, vanilla and spices. If you don’t have an actual whisk, you can always use a fork.


3. Pour mix into sprayed mug. Microwave for 50 seconds or until cake is baked through.  


4. Optional: drizzle with maple syrup.

1. Sweetened condensed milk, 1 can


2. White chocolate chips, ½ bags


3. 2 tbsps butter


4. 1 ½ tsp pumpkin extract


5. 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice


6. Orange food coloring (Mix a little yellow and red until you get your favorite shade)

1. Microwave butter until soft, not necessarily melted, in a large bowl.


2. Add condensed milk and white chocolate chips to bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Repeat until chips are melted.


3. Add pumpkin extract to bowl and stir.


4. Add pumpkin pie spice to bowl and stir.


5. Pour in food coloring until you achieve the desired shade of orange.


6. Pour into foil lined 8x8 dish. (You can find these at any grocery store in the baking aisle, and disposable ones are relatively inexpensive.)


7. Refrigerate mix until firm.


8. Cut, serve and enjoy!

1. 2 tbsp corn syrup


2. 2 tbsp water


3. ½ cup granulated sugar


4. ¼ cup heavy cream


5. Pinch of salt


6. ½ tsp vanilla extract


7. 2 - 3 tsp black food coloring


8. 2 tbsp unsalted butter

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This is incredibly important, so the apples won’t stick.


2. Wash, dry and de-stem your apples. Insert sticks. Craft or popsicle sticks will work.


3. In a microwave safe bowl, combine water, sugar and corn syrup.


4. Microwave mix for five to seven minutes until mixture boils and turns a light amber color. Make sure to watch closely and remove when it reaches the boiling point.


5. Stir in heavy cream. Then stir in salt, vanilla and food coloring. Finally, stir in butter until mixture is smooth.


6. Immediately dip each apple, one at a time. Making sure to tilt and rotate until completely covered. Hold it over bowl, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl.


7. Flip apple stick down, letting the caramel set for 15 to 20 seconds.


8. Set apple on prepared baking sheet and repeat process with each apple.


9. Chill apples for at least 30 to 60 minutes to fully allow caramel to set.