Don’t let Halloween-party guests fall asleep to “Carrie” or “Friday the 13th.” Keep them alive and alert with spooky-shaped snacks. These recipes have room for error and creativity. Pull out the apron and get to cookin’ tasty treats that would satiate even the hungriest of zombies.
Jack-o’-Lantern hummus
Open up a 10- to 12-ounce container of hummus. Red pepper or spicy hummus works best for the orange color. Using rinsed and dried black beans or kidney beans, place them in the hummus in the shape of a jack-o’-lantern face. Serve with vegetables, chips, pitas or crackers.
Cucumber monsters
Cut a cucumber into disks. Slice each halfway to make an opening. Slide in a bell pepper tongue, then decorate the face using hummus or ranch and veggies and beans for the eyes, nose, and hair.
Vampire blood cocktail
Mix 12-ounces of blood orange soda — or Ruby Red Squirt — with 2 cups of cranberry juice. Add 5 shots of vodka and 1.5 shots of Triple Sec or an orange-flavored liqueur. Squeeze in the juice of one lime. Mix. Serve in a pitcher over ice to share. Optional: To make the drink virgin, instead of vodka and triple sec, replace with 1 cup of lemon lime soda.
Halloween pizza
With store-bought pizza dough, open package and lay on a floured surface to sit for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to temperature given on package. Separate dough into six pieces. Roll dough pieces flat with a rolling pin. Shape three pieces into squares and three pieces into circles. Top with 3 Tbsp. of marinara sauce. Be creative and make ghost, mummy and pumpkin faces out of cheese, ricotta or vegetables. Bake for suggested time. Pull out of oven and let cool before the party digs in.
Edible eyes
Slice up one big carrot into circular disks, and smear with cream cheese. Place either an olive or raisin in the center.
Nutty spiders
Sandwich 1 Tbsp. of peanut butter between two Ritz crackers. Stick four pretzel stick halves on each side to create a creepy, edible spider.
Extras
Don’t forget the candy corn and Halloween utensils. The Dollar Store has cups and plates well before the month of October. Keep in mind that college students are picky and some have allergies, so plan accordingly and ask guests for any dietary regulations.