By zp7op | Contributor
From enjoying horror films to donning costumes, the spooky season calls for making your loved ones’ favorite treats for a delightful time. Before you head out for trick-or-treating, bring your little helpers into the kitchen to have some family-friendly fun crafting these creepy yet delicious snacks.
This October, celebrate National Popcorn Poppin’ Month with eerie and tasty treats like Spooky Popcorn Spider Web, Green Halloween Zombies, Witchy Popcorn Balls, and Popcorn Caramel Apples that bring extra festivity to Halloween fun.
Popcorn, a versatile ingredient in various treats, is cherished for its easy seed-to-snack transformation. Being non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and naturally low in fat and calories makes it a nutritious choice. Its delightful aroma and flavor perfectly complement spooky celebrations.
Spooky Popcorn Spider Web
Yield: 1 spider web
1/4 cup butter
8 cups mini marshmallows, divided
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
9 cups popped popcorn, divided
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
Black string licorice
Candy eyes
Line a round pizza pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Stir in 5 cups of marshmallows, mixing continuously for 3-4 minutes until completely melted. Add vanilla and remove from the heat. Mix in 8 cups of popcorn until well coated. Spread onto the prepared pizza pan in an irregular round shape, about 1 inch thick, to resemble a spider web. Chill for approximately 15 minutes, or until firm.
In the microwave, melt the remaining marshmallows for about 20 seconds, or until melted. Using a spatula, drizzle strands of melted marshmallow over the popcorn spider web to create a cobweb appearance.
Set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of hot (not boiling) water and melt 3/4 cup of chocolate chips; let cool slightly. In a separate large bowl, pour the melted chocolate over the remaining popcorn, gently folding to coat. Spread the mixture onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, separating it into eight small clusters. Attach two candy eyes to each popcorn cluster. Chill for 10-15 minutes, or until set.
Melt the remaining chocolate chips. Cut the licorice into 1-inch lengths. Using a small spoon, place dollops of chocolate onto the spider web. Attach the chocolate-coated popcorn to the chocolate dollops. Affix the licorice pieces to the chocolate popcorn clusters to create spider legs.
Chill for 15 minutes, or until set. Cut into smaller pieces to serve.
Witchy Popcorn Balls
Yield: 8 popcorn balls
16 chocolate wafer cookies
Nonstick cooking spray
3 quarts popped popcorn
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
3 cups miniature marsh
