Tricks to Healthy Halloween Treats

Although decorating is a large part of the fun of Halloween, the sweet treats are arguably the most popular component of this beloved holiday. The National Confectioners Association reports that Halloween is the largest confectionary holiday, followed by Easter and Christmas. Americans consume 3.4 pounds of candy around Halloween, and 600 million pounds of candy are purchased across the country for the holiday.

For those who want to enjoy some healthier options than candy corns and other sweet staples, these ideas are not so frightening.

• Pizza mummy: Use slices of toasted sandwich bread or English muffins to make some spooktacular fare. Coat the bread with pizza sauce. Then place thin vertical slices of mozzarella cheese in a haphazard pattern to replicate the look of gauze on a mummy. Two pieces of sliced black olives serve as the eyes.

• Deviled brains: Turn regular deviled eggs into something more sinister for Halloween table. Simply add food coloring to the filling to create a pinkish-brown hue that resembles a human brain. Then use a piping bag fitted with a thin icing tip to pipe the shape of brains onto the hardboiled egg halves.

• Veggie skeleton: Use assorted vegetable slices, cheese sticks, fruits, nuts, and more to inspire a Halloween-inspired charcuterie board. Arrange everything to resemble a skeleton on the platter.

• Ghostly bananas: Insert popsicle sticks into the bottoms of bananas and freeze until solid. Prepare white melting chocolate according to directions, then dip the frozen bananas into it. While wet, stick on two mini chocolate chips to make the eyes of the ghosts. Place in the refrigerator to harden.

• Spider crackers: Use Ritz crackers or something similar for this recipe. Spread a relatively thick layer of cream cheese (or peanut butter) on one cracker. Cut thin pretzel sticks in half and use four on each side to make spider legs, sticking them into the cream cheese. Top with another cracker and secure to the cream cheese. Raisins connected with more cream cheese complete the eyes of the spiders.

—MetroCreativeConnection