Halloween Special: Chefs Share Themed Dessert Recipes

Halloween, the festival that is all about trick or treating, naturally calls for themed desserts. Since the spooky festival features the night when the veil between the living and the dead thins, it is a time to get creative with the costumes, tricks, and treats. Whether you’re planning a Halloween house party or having a themed potluck party, here are some ideas to stand out.

From creepy cupcakes to bone-chilling pretzels, creativity knows no bounds for a typical Halloween party. But to ensure that you get sure-shot results after following a recipe, Slurrp gathered recipes from chefs across the country. So, no matter if you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, here are some easy-to-follow recipes you can try for the spooky festival.

Also Read: Halloween Special: Explore Traditional Foods From Around The World

Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes By Chef Mozanne Karbhari, Sous Chef, ITC Grand Central, Mumbai

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves 
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger 
• 1 cup pumpkin puree 
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 100g softened cheese cream
• 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Orange and green food colouring

Instructions:

1. Adjust the oven temperature to 175°C (350°F) and use paper liners to line a muffin tin.
2. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in a bowl.
3. Whisk pumpkin puree, add the sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to a different dish, and mix until creamy.
4. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture slowly until they are well blended.
5. When a toothpick inserted into a cupcake liner comes out clean, bake the mixture in each liner equally for 18 to 20 minutes. Give them time to cool.
6. Beat butter and cream cheese together until creamy to make the frosting. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar gradually.
7. Separate the icing into two halves and colour one orange and the other green. Make the cupcakes look like jack-o'-lanterns by Frosting the stems with green frosting.

Evil Eye Balls By Chef Subhankar Chitrakar From The Bakery Of Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Goa

Ingredients:

• 4-5 Baked Brownies
• 1 cup White chocolate chips
• Black edible paint as required\

Instructions:

1. Bake brownies according to package directions or buy readymade brownies.
2. Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over cooled brownies.
3. Use black edible paint to create pupils.
4. Arrange in a plate and serve the Halloween-themed dessert.

Zombie Fingers By Chef Prateek Naik, Chef De Cuisine, The Westin Mumbai Garden City

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of pretzel rods
• 1 cup of white chocolate chips or white candy melts
• 1/4 cup of melted butter or margarine
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: red or pink food colouring (for blood effect)
• Optional: chopped nuts or sprinkles (for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 90°C.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Dip each pretzel rod into melted butter or margarine.
4. Roll pretzels in white chocolate chips or candy melts until coated.
5. Place coated pretzels on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to set chocolate.
7. Use red or pink food colouring to create a "blood" effect.
8. Decorate with chopped nuts or sprinkles.

Presenting Zombie Fingers :

1. Use a knife or kitchen shears to create a "knuckle" effect.
2. Make a "nail" using a small piece of white chocolate or a sprinkle.
3. Experiment with different chocolate colours for varying zombie effects.