Recipes for an Adults-Only Halloween Party

Candy Corn Cocktail Recipe

While it’s hard to pass up free candy, adults trick-or-treating is supposedly frowned upon. So we’ve created a brunch cocktail that’s reminiscent of the spookiest, candy-coated holiday: the Candy Corn Cocktail. Instead of stashing away Milky Ways and Smarties, make this cocktail and join in on the candy-eating and drinking festivities. If you’re inclined to order vibrant-colored, umbrella garnished, fruit juice filled drinks, you’ve found the perfect Halloween drink. Not only does it look like candy corn, with its yellow, orange, and white layers, but it’s just as sweet as the real thing. Crushed pineapple-infused vodka is topped with pineapple juice, followed by a healthy amount of candy corn syrup. The whole thing is garnished with a swirl of extra fluffy whipped cream and a shower of candy corn. 

Candy Corn Cocktail 

Cinnamon-Cider Candied Apples Recipe

Wash 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.

Chorizo and Caramelized Onion Stuffed Intestines Recipe

Take your Halloween party to the next level with Mexican sausage and onion stuffed "intestines". Store-bought pastry dough makes this masterpiece simple to make and contributes to the rich taste and flaky texture. A cranberry sauce adds sweetness to this salty, savory dish while contributing to the realness of its presentation. This appetizer is sure to be a memorable one!

Candied Bacon Sticks with Garlic Butter Drizzle Recipe

Sweet and salty bacon wrapped around crunchy breadsticks makes for heaven on a stick. Crunchy, salty, and with just the right amount of garlic to give bacon the upper hand (not that it needs it) these crispy appetizers are the perfect way to get the party started. Thin breadsticks can be found in the cracker aisle at the grocery store, and be sure to use thin-sliced bacon to easily wrap around these breadsticks. Feeling even more daring? Uses these flavorful sticks to stir up a savory-sweet cocktail. 

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Tahini Glaze Recipe

What better fall-inspired dessert to make than this tahini-glazed pumpkin bundt cake. A medley of fragrant, ground spices enhance the rich sweetness of this incredibly moist bundt cake. Topped with a toasty, perfectly bittersweet tahini glaze, this  easy to make and comforting fall dessert is the perfect centerpiece for your next dinner party, Halloween gathering, or special occasion.

Candy Corn Jello Shots Recipe

We’re all for starting off Halloween with a bang—but instead of diving headfirst into the candy bowl at 11 am, why not get things going with a Champagne-based Jello shot that looks like a candy corn? These champagne and orange juice candy corn Jello shots are essentially a jiggly mimosa, bringing a classy edge to what could ultimately become a pretty rowdy monster bash. 

Boil Champagne and unflavored gelatin together, whisking until combined. Create the white layer of the candy cane Jello shots by mixing sweetened condensed milk into the Champagne gelatin. Pour the mixture into clear shot classes, then chill. The orange layer of the shots comes from sweet orange juice and a dash of orange food coloring mixed into the champagne gelatin for vibrancy. Pour the orange layer over the now-set white layer and chill once more. For the final layer of the candy corn Jello shot, make another batch of the second layer, but swap the orange food coloring for yellow. Cheers!

Candy Corn Jello Shots

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter Recipe

Brown butter takes these rich, seasonal pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to the next level, adding a nutty, fragrant flavor that is absolutely perfect for fall. Canned pumpkin puree lends moisture to these fluffy, cake-like treats while warm chocolate chips fill every bite. Make these for a Halloween party or a fall dinner party, and be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Lemon-Black Sesame Baked Doughnuts Recipe

If you need a break from rainbow-smattered sweets and unicorn-coated everything, these deliciously dark doughnuts are exactly what you’re looking for. A bright lemony glaze balances the warm toasty flavors delivered by black sesame seeds for a balanced, not-too-sweet doughnut. Being an oven-baked doughnut, this recipe is perfect for the first-time doughnut maker or anyone who’s not trying to spend their Saturday morning cleaning up a deep-fry station in their kitchen. We used black food dye to intensify the darkness of these doughnuts, but feel free to leave it out if you’d prefer. Beyond being an incredibly tasty way to boycott rainbow foods, these black sesame doughnuts are the perfect treat to whip out for Halloween. 

Severed Hand Pies Recipe

This freaky-delicious treat serves up classic flavors with a Halloween twist. Impress your guests with sweet cherry filling in flakey puff pastry... in the shape of a human hand.

Roasted Red Pepper Deviled Eggs Recipe

Serve these devilishly tasty treats as part of a Halloween feast. Roasted red peppers and paprika give the filling an orange hue reminiscent of jack-o-lanterns, while snipped chives resemble their stems.

Halloween Hummus Recipe

For a truly spooky treat, this hummus is a great way to create a fun and festive Halloween effect. Simply fill a carved skull prop with this ghoulishly delicious hummus for a great appetizer to serve to guests. This hummus is red pepper based and features cayenne pepper, cumin, and plenty of garlic cloves for some great flavor. This dip is great to serve with crackers, chips, or veggie sticks. Dig right in, if you dare! 

Pork Dumplings with Chile-Sesame Sauce Recipe

These wrinkly dumplings are filled with pork, shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, scallions and ginger. For Halloween, David Burtka soaks the brain-like dumplings in the dipping sauce, then serves them in science-lab beakers.

Butterbeer Recipe

Fancy a trip to the Wizarding World? This classic favorite drink of witches and wizards alike will be enough to put some magical pep in your step! This drink is a decadent, rich, and buttery experience. Top this popular wizarding beverage with plenty of homemade whipped cream before serving to family and friends. 

Autumn Punch Recipe

"Punch" is a good description of this one--a couple of glasses pack a wallop. Add extra cranberry juice if you want it weaker.

Spiced Lamb Chops with Rosemary Crumbs Recipe

These spiced lamb chops are great for cocktail parties, since you can eat them one-handed.

Halloween Ham and Cheese Hand Pies Recipe

This is an adaptable little recipe. We love the warm, spicy flavor of brown mustard, but feel free to use your family's favorite mustard. You can also customize the filling by using any kind of thinly sliced cheese and/or meat that you or your kids prefer.

Devilish Chorizo Chili with Hominy Recipe

Not only is this chili easy to make ahead, it actually improves with time. If you like your chili very spicy, add an extra teaspoon of chipotle powder. Prep and Cook Time: 50 minutes. Notes: Prepare chili up to two days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill; reheat before serving. Buy the best-quality chorizo you can find, preferably from a butcher or Mexican market, and avoid the type of chorizo that is very soft and sold in plastic casings; it tends to break down too much in cooking. Substitute another spicy uncooked sausage if you can't find good chorizo.

Spooky Sangria Recipe

What could be more fun than a cauldron full of seething, smoking sangria? It's delicious and wickedly strong (use more sparkling water if you want to dilute it a little). Although dry ice is not toxic, it's dangerous to swallow chips because of the extremely low temperature. Using a chunk of the ice, and wrapping it in cheesecloth, avoids that problem.

Midori Lemon Gin Fizz Recipe

Egg whites form a spooky, frothy top, giving the cocktail a mad-scientist makeover. The cocktail gets its green hue from Midori liqueur, a super sweet muskmelon-flavored liqueur. Serve in beakers or test tubes to up the Halloween aura.

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe

'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' Caviar Recipe

Need a great appetizer for your Halloween bash? Serve up chips and this classic veggie and bean dip for some spook-tacularly good flavor. This recipe features staples that you may already have in your pantry or fridge, making this a perfect last-minute appetizer to take to the party. And while the name suggest that a Halloween party is where it's at with this recipe, you can just as easily much on this great dip any day of the week! 

Monster Eyes Recipe

Halloween is dominated by sweets so go the savory route and make these Monster Eyes with simple sausage ball ingredients and green olives with pimentos.

Dark Soul Fondue Recipe

This chocolatey fondue will be a hit at the party. Cut the pound cake into bone shapes or other fun shapes to fit your movie party theme.

Snackin' Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

Every Halloween carved pumpkins appear. Now that you know what to do with the seeds, you can cut down on food waste! Pumpkin seeds are such a great Halloween party food idea for an easy get together or casual fall hangout. This recipe for pumpkin seeds is basic, so start here then flavor to fit your tastes. The seeds will keep in an airtight container for several days, so make a large batch. You can add them to fall-themed snack mixes, stir them into soups, or simply snack on them by the handful. 

Red Pepper Miso Wings Recipe

Skip the cream cheese and pepper jelly appetizer and use the red pepper jelly for something new. These sticky, yet crispy chicken wings take full advantage of the red pepper jelly flavor. The result is a hot, sweet, savory sauce with a vibrant color. Add scallions and fresh basil for an impressive festive-looking dish that is just asking to be taken to a holiday potluck. 

Pumpkin Steamers Recipe

On a cold fall day, all you need to warm up is this steamy, rich, pumpkin treat. Reminicient of a rich pumpkin pie, this creamy drink is the perfect addition to your next fall party or gathering. If serving a crowd, adjust the recipe to increase the amount that's made, and don't forget plenty of whipped cream, if desired! 

Spooky Sangria Recipe

What could be more fun than a cauldron full of seething, smoking sangria? It's delicious and wickedly strong (use more sparkling water if you want to dilute it a little). Although dry ice is not toxic, it's dangerous to swallow chips because of the extremely low temperature. Using a chunk of the ice, and wrapping it in cheesecloth, avoids that problem.