Ways You Can Spice Up Your Halloween Party Menu

I've spent my summer interning at Prime Publishing LLC in Northbrook, IL, and through this experience, I've gotten to work on the website AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com, where I've discovered amazing projects created by everyday bloggers.

I was recently given the task of compiling a list of Halloween treats that will really stand out at a holiday party, and I wanted to share some tips inspired by the projects featured on our site from some very creative crafters.

Think Small

Instead of going the traditional party route of baking a cake, minimize your portions by remaking your favorite mix into handy little cake pops. You'll be able to buy the same ingredients, and your guests will be more willing to partake because these desserts won't fill them up in one serving. Cake pops are really popular these days because they're fun for people of all ages, and if you're looking for a challenge, you can use craft materials and dessert ingredients to recreate popular Halloween characters.

Combine Classic Skills with Halloween Themes

Though you may have guests that are in favor of small portions, you don't want to forget about the partygoers looking to fill up on Halloween delights. For your pastry projects, use basic dessert techniques, like frosting and stripping, to add Halloween-inspired details to your desserts. A plain cookie can become a spiderweb with just a touch of icing, and a marshmallow can become a skeleton with the magic of a food pen. You don't need to spend extra to create treats that match your holiday theme.

Include Healthy Alternatives

It's impossible to please everyone, but one surefire way to make sure that your menu will have options capable of satisfying a variety of tastes is by including snacks that involve fruits and vegetables. Fruits are already popular with desserts; it can be as simple as dipping strawberries in chocolate or as detailed as carving a mini Jack O' Lantern into an apple. Also consider using grains and cereals to add some extra crunch.

Don't Be Afraid to Get a Little Gross

Some of the most innovative ideas that I've seen in regards to party food are also some of the strangest. You're guarenteed to draw attention to your food table if you include something realistic. For example, there's a project that uses mini hotdogs and onions to create realistic "finger food". It sounds (and looks) gross, but it's a huge hit. Depending on your guests, choosing something more strange and humorous may be to your benefit.

Food crafts are an easy and inexpensive way to make sure your next Halloween party is memorable, so I encourage you to try out some of these options. Explore your creativity; there are endless possibilities when it comes to crafting with food. All you need is a little inspiration to get you started.

If you liked these ideas, check out more at AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com or search through blogs to discover the crafty secrets other people use when creating their Halloween party food.