AP Photo NY603

It’s a credit to the publication to confirm there are plenty of dreadful ideas in Better Homes and Gardens’ “Halloween Tricks and Treats,” including decorations, costumes, party plans and even ghost stories.

There are also recipes among this dark bounty and enough photos of the prescribed concoctions to entertain Halloween fans of all ages. Here’s a witch’s hat, for example, made from an ice cream cone dripping with chocolate coating. The pointed headgear sports a hatband of candy-coated gum squares, and the base is a doughnut.

Witch Hat

2 ounces semisweet chocolate

Chocolate-rolled sugar ice-cream cone

Candy pumpkins

Waxed paper

Purchased unfrosted plain or chocolate-cake doughnut

Canned chocolate icing

Nonpareils or sprinkles

Orange, yellow and green Starburst candy or candy-coated gum (mini-Chiclets work well)

Melt semisweet chocolate according to the package instructions. Holding the open end of the cone, dip the bottom half at an angle into the melted chocolate. Immediately press candy pumpkins into the chocolate. Place the cone on waxed paper and let sit until the chocolate sets. Frost the top and side surfaces of the doughnut with icing. Sprinkle the icing with nonpareils or sprinkles. Center the open end of the cone on the frosted doughnut. Use a sharp knife to cut candies or gum pieces into quarters and stick them around the bottom of the hat with icing. Makes 1 hat.

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens “Halloween Tricks and Treats,” Meredith Creative Collection Publications, $5.99

Copy the Story Link