14 Best Ever Halloween Dessert Recipes

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

Looking for some inspiration for some spectacularly spooky treats? You’re in the best place! I’ve created this collection of 14 of the best ever Halloween dessert recipes, and I hope you’re going to love them just as much as I do. Whether you’re hosting a party, want to get creative in the kitchen with your kids, or just fancy trying something new, there’s something here for all abilities, including super easy choices. From spiderweb chocolate cake, to mummy brownies, to witch hat cupcakes, let’s get going… 

1. Spiderweb Chocolate Cake

spiderweb chocolate cake

This Spiderweb Chocolate Cake is a rich, moist chocolate cake topped with a spooky spiderweb design made from melted white chocolate. It’s a deliciously creepy dessert that’s sure to be the star of your Halloween table.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • Chocolate frosting
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and beat on medium speed until smooth.
  4. Stir in the boiling water until the batter is well combined (it will be thin).
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
  7. Once the cakes are cool, stack them with a layer of frosting in between. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
  8. Drizzle the melted white chocolate in a spiral pattern on top of the cake. Use a toothpick to drag lines from the center to the edges, creating a spiderweb design.
  9. Serve and enjoy!

2. Ghost Meringues

ghost meringues

Ghost Meringues are light, airy, and perfectly spooky. These sweet little ghosts are made from simple meringue and are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

  • 4 large egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Melted chocolate or an icing writing pen, for the faces

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 225°F (110°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form.
  3. Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat on high speed until stiff peaks form and the mixture is glossy.
  4. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  5. Transfer the meringue to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
  6. Pipe ghost shapes onto the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 1.5 hours, then turn off the oven and let the meringues cool completely in the oven with the door slightly open.
  8. Once cooled, add the faces, and serve or store in an airtight container.

3. Witch Hat Cupcakes

witch hat cupcakes

Witch Hat Cupcakes are festive and fun, featuring chocolate cupcakes topped with a sugar cone “witch hat” and decorated with colorful frosting and sprinkles.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
  • 10 mini chocolate sugar cones
  • Green and purple frosting for decorating
  • Halloween sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven according to the cake mix package instructions. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions and divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
  3. Bake the cupcakes according to the package instructions. Allow them to cool completely.
  4. Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe a generous swirl of frosting on top of each one.
  5. Place a sugar cone “hat” on top of each cupcake.
  6. Decorate the hats with Halloween sprinkles.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

4. Bloody Red Velvet Cake Pops

bloody red velvet cake pops

Bloody Red Velvet Cake Pops are both eerie and delicious. The rich red velvet cake is coated in white chocolate and drizzled with “blood” (red-colored chocolate) for a spooky effect.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 box red velvet cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips, melted
  • Red food coloring or red chocolate melts

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the red velvet cake according to the package instructions. Allow the cake to cool completely.
  2. Crumble the cake into a large bowl and mix in the cream cheese frosting until the mixture holds together.
  3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1 hour.
  4. Dip each cake ball into the melted white chocolate and place it back on the baking sheet.
  5. Use red food coloring or melted red chocolate to drizzle “blood” over each cake pop.
  6. Let the cake pops set at room temperature before serving.

5. Pumpkin Spice Cookies

pumpkin spice cookies

Pumpkin Spice Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of warm fall spices. Topped with a cinnamon glaze, these cookies are the perfect treat for a Halloween gathering.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for glaze)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
  8. While the cookies cool, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and cinnamon.
  9. Drizzle or spread the glaze over the cooled cookies and serve.

6. Frankenstein Rice Krispie Bars

frankenstein rice krispie bars

Frankenstein Rice Krispie Bars are a fun and easy Halloween dessert. These classic treats are tinted green, decorated with candy eyes, and topped with black frosting to resemble Frankenstein’s monster.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 4 cups mini marshmallows
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Green food coloring
  • Candy eyes
  • Black frosting and/or sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in green food coloring until the desired shade is reached.
  3. Add the Rice Krispies cereal and stir until well coated.
  4. Press the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
  5. Once the treats are set, cut them into rectangles.
  6. Decorate each treat with candy eyes and use black frosting and sprinkles to create Frankenstein’s hair and mouth.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

7. Candy Corn Cheesecake Bars

candy corn cheesecake bars

Candy Corn Cheesecake Bars are a layered dessert that mimics the look of candy corn. With layers of yellow, orange, and white cheesecake on a graham cracker crust, these bars are both festive and delicious.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Yellow and orange food coloring
  • Candy corn for decorating

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Divide the cheesecake batter into three equal parts. Leave one part plain, color one part yellow, and the other part orange.
  5. Pour the batters in layers over the graham cracker crust and spread evenly. 
  6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is set.
  7. Cool completely before decorating with candy corn and slicing into bars. Serve and enjoy!

8. Vampire Donuts

vampire donuts

Vampire Donuts are a simple yet spooky treat. Store-bought or homemade donuts are decorated with red icing, candy eyes, and black sprinkles for a fun and festive Halloween breakfast or dessert.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 10 plain donuts (store-bought or homemade)
  • Red icing
  • Black sprinkles
  • Candy eyes

Instructions:

  1. If using store-bought donuts, start by decorating them. If making homemade donuts, allow them to cool completely before decorating.
  2. Drizzle or spread red icing over the donuts. 
  3. Place candy eyes and black sprinkles on top of each donut to complete the vampire look.
  4. Serve and enjoy!

9. Spooky Spider Cookies

spooky spider cookies

Spooky Spider Cookies are chocolate cookies topped with peanut butter cups and pretzel legs to create creepy, crawly spiders. These cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 10 mini peanut butter cups
  • Pretzel sticks, broken into halves
  • Candy eyes

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are set.
  8. While the cookies are still warm, press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each one.
  9. Insert pretzel halves around the peanut butter cup to create spider legs, and add candy eyes.
  10. Allow the cookies to cool before serving.

10. Mummy Halloween Brownies

mummy brownies

Mummy Brownies are fudgy, chocolatey, and perfectly spooky. These brownies are decorated with white chocolate drizzle to resemble mummy bandages and are topped with candy eyes for a fun Halloween treat.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted
  • Candy eyes

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven according to the brownie mix package instructions. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions and pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
  3. Bake the brownies according to the package instructions. Allow them to cool completely.
  4. Once cooled, cut the brownies into rectangles.
  5. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over each brownie in a zigzag pattern to create mummy bandages.
  6. Place candy eyes on each brownie.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

11. Halloween Bat Cupcakes

bat cupcakes

Bat Cupcakes are a fun and easy Halloween dessert. These chocolate cupcakes are decorated with chocolate frosting, chocolate sandwich cookies, and candy eyes to create cute and spooky bats.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
  • 2 cups chocolate frosting
  • 10 chocolate sandwich cookies (I like to use the mini versions)
  • Candy eyes

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven according to the cake mix package instructions. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions and divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners.
  3. Bake the cupcakes according to the package instructions. Allow them to cool completely.
  4. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost them with chocolate frosting.
  5. Place a cookie on each cupcake and add candy eyes (you can use a little of the frosting so they stick).
  6. Serve and enjoy!

12. Poison Apple Pie

poison apple pie

Poison Apple Pie is a spooky twist on a classic dessert. This apple pie is topped with a lattice crust and sprinkled with black sugar to create a dark and eerie look.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 package refrigerated pie crusts
  • 6 cups sliced apples
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • Black sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples with the sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch.
  3. Place one pie crust in the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with the apple mixture.
  4. Cut the second pie crust into strips and create a lattice pattern on top of the apples.
  5. Sprinkle the top with black sugar.
  6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
  7. Allow the pie to cool before serving.

13. Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies

jack o lantern sugar cookies

Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies are festive and fun. These sugar cookies are shaped like pumpkins and decorated with royal icing to create cute or creepy jack-o’-lantern faces.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Orange, green, and black royal icing

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
  5. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
  8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set.
  9. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating with orange, green, and black royal icing to create jack-o’-lantern faces.
  10. Serve and enjoy!

14. Spooky Eyeball Truffles

spooky eyeball truffles

Spooky Eyeball Truffles are a creepy and delicious treat. These chocolate truffles are coated in white chocolate and decorated with candy eyes to resemble eyeballs.

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

  • 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips, melted
  • Candy eyes
  • Red gel icing

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix the crushed cookies with the cream cheese until well combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1 hour.
  3. Dip each truffle into the melted white chocolate and place it back on the baking sheet.
  4. Press a candy eye into the top of each truffle.
  5. Use red gel icing to create bloodshot lines on the eyeballs.
  6. Allow the truffles to set at room temperature before serving.

These easy Halloween dessert recipes are perfect for adding some spooky sweetness to your celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to make something fun for the family, these treats are sure to impress. Leave a comment and share your favorite below!