If you're planning a Halloween party, you know that spook-tastic treats are a must. And there are countless one to choose from. Some are simple, and some are complex, but all of them have some kind of delightfully ghoulish surprise to them.
Of course, if you're a fan of Halloween, then you've probably encountered most of the simpler ones (peeled grapes that feel like eyeballs, anyone?), and realized that for the average party host, the really complicated ones aren't always realistic.
But luckily, there are relatively simple ideas that only look complicated, and totally adorable. Mummified pigs-in-blankets and spooky cupcakes are some simple Halloween treats that are less complicated than they look.
But over at Lost My Name, the crafters there have come up with a treat that looks incredibly complex (it has a moving part!), but that's actually totally doable, using everyday ingredients and materials. And they look adorable.
Now, you might not have time to make these as you rush to get into your costume before this year's festivities, but they can serve at least as an inspiration for future treats!
And you can also use the meringue recipe to create all kinds of other shapes and treats, and even add food coloring. It's a great recipe for any holiday. Check out how they did it on Lost My Name, and try your hand at it this year!
To make meringue, the crafters at Lost My Name set out half a cup each of superfine granulated sugar and confectioner's sugar.
They also carefully cut out the bottoms of some paper cups to create little cardboard circles. The circles were placed on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and set aside.
They also whipped up four egg whites with a pinch of salt, and had some chocolate chips set aside, which would be melted later — you'll see why!
While whisking the egg whites, the superfine sugar was added in one tablespoon at a time, letting blend in slowly and carefully.
When the superfine sugar was all in, they stopped whisking, and gently folded in the confectioner's sugar, forming stiff, glossy white peaks.
The meringue was then gently spooned into a freezer or ZipLock bag with the corner snipped off.
Handling the bag gently (meringue is delicate, like a soufflé), the meringue was then piped into careful circles on the cardboard circles, the bottom of the cut-out cups.
Mini chocolate chips were pressed in for eyes and wailing mouths, and then they were baked for about an hour and a half at at 200 degrees F.
While the meringues were baking, it was time to decorate the bottomless cups. They covered theirs with black tissue paper, but you can also use a pre-decorated cup or create your own design.
A circle of paper was also created using the mouth of the cup as a stencil. It was cut about a centimeter wider than the cup's rim, and perforated with criss-crossing slits.
When the meringues were cooled and set, lollipop sticks were taped to the cardboard circles on the bottom.
The ghosts, who were looking very surprised, were then inserted into the cups from the top. They wouldn't fall out, as the cardboard circle on the bottom would catch inside. The stick would dangle out of the bottom.
The tissue paper circles were then glued to the inside of the cup near the rim, being careful, of course, not to get any glue on the meringue! The paper would cover over the ghostly meringues.
But when the lollipop stick is puched up, the ghosts pop out. Boo!
These adorable ghost treats are delicious and unsuspected, and they'll make a memorable treat at any party.
Of course, meringue is great because you can turn it into literally anything.
By playing around with the shape and color of the meringue, you can create just about anything.
Some food coloring makes these candy corn meringues just adorable, and the shape could double as a Christmas tree if green food coloring was used, too.
And if you don't want to bother with a pop-up cup, meringue ghosts are pretty cute on their own. These little guys also have the addition of arms.
A rounder shape with fluted sides, usually made with a frosting tip, creates a great pumpkin.
And by creating this squiggly shape, you can make little carrots, which would be an adorable addition to any Easter basket.
And if you just like them plain, they're adorable on their own!
You can see more great crafts and recipes on Lost My Name, and you can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
And SHARE this great idea with anyone who likes to create the unexpected for Halloween!
