Halloween Chocolate Spiders

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 teaspoon butter 24 large marshmallows 6 ounces Chow Mein noodles 12 ounces mini candy coated chocolate pieces In a microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips and butter.  Microwave until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth.  Pour chocolate into a sealable plastic bag and set aside.  Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.  Stick…

Halloween Chocolate Mice

4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate 1/3 cup sour cream 1 1/3 c. chocolate cookie crumbs 1/3 cup powdered sugar 24 silver decorating candies ¼ cup sliced almonds 12 (2 in.) red licorice pieces Melt the chocolate, and mix well with sour cream in a large bowl. Add 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs, and stir well. Cover…

Halloween Cheddar Poppy Moon Crackers

¾ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup yellow cornmeal 1 tablespoon poppy seeds ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder 4 tablespoons cold water 1 large egg 1 tablespoon warm water 1 tablespoon sea salt ½ stick unsalted butter, chilled and cubed 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated Mix together flour, cornmeal, poppy seeds, salt,…

Halloween Bat Cupcakes

18 ¼ oz. pkg. chocolate cake mix 16 oz. container chocolate frosting 11 ½ oz. pkg. fudge stripe cookies 6 oz. pkg. Hershey’s Kisses 1 tablespoon red gel icing Prepare the cake mix according to package directions for cupcakes. Let them cool completely. Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Break the cookies in half, and press…

Beef in Costume for Halloween

1 large pumpkin, about 4 pounds 1 pound beef 1 cup onion, chopped Vegetable oil 1/3 cup sweet red bell pepper, chopped 1/3 cup green bell pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon thyme ¼ teaspoon black pepper 7 ½ ounces pitted, ripe black olives 8 ounces tomato sauce 2 large…

Baked Bloody Rats-Halloween Meatloaf

2 pounds ground beef ½ onion, chopped 1 large egg, beaten 1 cup dry bread crumbs 1.25 oz. pkg. meatloaf seasoning 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed 28 oz. spaghetti sauce 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ½ carrot, cut in 1/8 inch strips 2 tablespoons frozen green peas 1 ounce spaghetti, uncooked & broken…

Fruit Pizza

Crust 1 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough Topping 1 package (8 oz.) light cream cheese, softened½ cup sugar1 c. light cool whip1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract Fruit Fresh strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, bananas, peaches, etc.Canned pineapple and mandarin oranges, drained Cut cookie dough into slices and place in a 9×13 inch pan or a 12-inch…

Fruit Nibblers

½ cantaloupe ½ honeydew melon 3 pounds watermelon 2-3 oranges ½ cup orange juice Scoop balls from melons or cut melons into 1 inch cubes.  Place 3 balls on each of 12 bamboo skewers.  Insert skewers in oranges on a serving plate.  Serve orange juice in tiny bowls for dipping melon balls.

Fresh Fruit Compote

3 medium peaches 2 cups sliced strawberries 2 cups blueberries 2 cups melon balls 3 medium bananas 1 bottle (25 oz.) pink sparkling Catawba grape juice, chilled Peel peaches and slice into a bowl.  Top peach slices with strawberries, blueberries and melon balls.  Cover tightly and chill.  Just before serving, peel bananas and slice into…

Warm Broccoli Spinach Dip

1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons fat-free milk 1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped 5 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 8 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, divided ½ cup chopped broccoli, thawed 1 garlic clove, minced ½ teaspoon dried basil ¼ teaspoon…