Halloween is a time for spooky costumes, eerie decorations, and, of course, delicious treats! And what’s a better way to celebrate the season than with colorful, chocolatey M&M’s? These candies are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into a wide array of Halloween-themed recipes. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, baking with your kids, or simply craving a festive snack, M&M’s can add a touch of sweetness and fun to your creations.
This blog post is packed with creative and easy-to-follow recipes that will help you transform ordinary M&M’s into extraordinary Halloween delights. Get ready to unleash your inner baker and impress your friends and family with these spooktacular M&M’s Halloween treats!
**Why M&M’s are Perfect for Halloween Treats**
M&M’s are a classic candy that appeals to people of all ages. Their colorful shells and chocolatey centers make them irresistible. But beyond their taste, M&M’s offer several advantages when it comes to Halloween baking:
* **Versatility:** M&M’s can be used in a wide range of recipes, from cookies and brownies to cakes and popcorn balls.
* **Color:** M&M’s come in a variety of colors, which can be used to create fun and festive Halloween designs. Use green and purple for a spooky theme, orange and black for a classic look, or red and yellow for a fiery feel.
* **Convenience:** M&M’s are readily available in most grocery stores, making them a convenient ingredient for Halloween baking.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Kids love M&M’s, making them a perfect ingredient for baking projects with children. They can help with measuring, mixing, and decorating.
**Recipe 1: M&M’s Halloween Monster Cookies**
These monster cookies are chewy, colorful, and packed with M&M’s. They’re perfect for Halloween parties or a fun after-school snack.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups M&M’s (Halloween colors preferred)
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 1 cup chocolate chips
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. **Cream the butter and sugars:** In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer.
3. **Add the eggs and vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. **Combine the dry ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. **Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. **Stir in the M&M’s, oats, and chocolate chips:** Stir in the M&M’s, rolled oats, and chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
7. **Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets:** Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
9. **Cool:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
**Tips for Monster Cookies:**
* Use room temperature butter for easier creaming.
* Don’t overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
* For a more intense chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips.
* Get creative with your decorations! Add candy eyes or other Halloween-themed sprinkles.
**Recipe 2: M&M’s Halloween Brownie Bites**
These fudgy brownie bites are topped with a generous sprinkling of M&M’s, making them a perfect bite-sized treat for Halloween.
**Ingredients:**
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup M&M’s (Halloween colors preferred)
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners.
2. **Melt the butter:** In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
3. **Stir in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt:** Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
4. **Stir in the vanilla extract:** Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. **Add the eggs:** Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition.
6. **Stir in the flour:** Stir in the flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. **Fill the muffin liners:** Fill each muffin liner about 2/3 full with brownie batter.
8. **Sprinkle with M&M’s:** Sprinkle the tops of the brownie bites with M&M’s.
9. **Bake:** Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
10. **Cool:** Let the brownie bites cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
**Tips for Brownie Bites:**
* Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
* Don’t overbake the brownie bites, as they will become dry.
* For a more decadent treat, add chocolate chunks to the batter.
* Decorate the brownie bites with Halloween-themed icing or sprinkles.
**Recipe 3: M&M’s Halloween Popcorn Balls**
These sweet and salty popcorn balls are coated in a sticky marshmallow mixture and studded with M&M’s, making them a perfect Halloween party snack.
**Ingredients:**
* 12 cups popped popcorn
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
* 10 ounces marshmallows
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup M&M’s (Halloween colors preferred)
**Instructions:**
1. **Pop the popcorn:** Pop the popcorn and remove any unpopped kernels.
2. **Melt the butter and marshmallows:** In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and salt and stir until completely melted and smooth.
3. **Stir in the vanilla extract:** Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. **Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn:** Pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and stir until evenly coated.
5. **Stir in the M&M’s:** Stir in the M&M’s.
6. **Form the popcorn balls:** Using lightly buttered hands, form the popcorn mixture into balls. Work quickly, as the marshmallow mixture will start to harden as it cools.
7. **Cool:** Place the popcorn balls on a sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.
**Tips for Popcorn Balls:**
* Use fresh popcorn for the best flavor.
* Butter your hands before forming the popcorn balls to prevent sticking.
* Work quickly, as the marshmallow mixture will harden as it cools.
* Wrap the popcorn balls in cellophane bags and tie with ribbon for a festive touch.
**Recipe 4: M&M’s Halloween Bark**
This easy-to-make Halloween bark is a festive treat that requires no baking. Simply melt chocolate, spread it on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with M&M’s and other Halloween candies.
**Ingredients:**
* 12 ounces chocolate (milk, dark, or white), chopped
* 1 cup M&M’s (Halloween colors preferred)
* 1/2 cup Halloween sprinkles
* Optional: candy corn, pretzels, gummy worms, etc.
**Instructions:**
1. **Melt the chocolate:** Melt the chocolate using a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
2. **Spread the chocolate on a baking sheet:** Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate onto the baking sheet and spread it into an even layer.
3. **Sprinkle with M&M’s and sprinkles:** Immediately sprinkle the M&M’s and Halloween sprinkles over the melted chocolate.
4. **Add optional toppings:** Add any other desired toppings, such as candy corn, pretzels, or gummy worms.
5. **Chill:** Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
6. **Break into pieces:** Break the bark into pieces and serve.
**Tips for Halloween Bark:**
* Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
* Get creative with your toppings! Use your favorite Halloween candies and sprinkles.
* For a marbled effect, melt different types of chocolate and swirl them together.
* Store the bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
**Recipe 5: M&M’s Halloween Cake Pops**
These adorable cake pops are made from crumbled cake, frosting, and M&M’s, and they’re decorated with Halloween-themed candies and sprinkles.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 box cake mix (any flavor), baked and cooled
* 1/2 cup frosting (any flavor)
* 1 cup M&M’s (Halloween colors preferred), chopped
* 12 ounces chocolate (milk, dark, or white), melted
* Lollipop sticks
* Halloween sprinkles
**Instructions:**
1. **Crumble the cake:** Crumble the cooled cake into a large bowl.
2. **Add the frosting and M&M’s:** Add the frosting and chopped M&M’s to the crumbled cake and mix until well combined.
3. **Form the cake pops:** Roll the cake mixture into small balls. Place the cake pops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. **Chill:** Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the cake pops are firm.
5. **Dip the lollipop sticks into the melted chocolate:** Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into the melted chocolate and insert it into a cake pop.
6. **Dip the cake pops into the melted chocolate:** Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, tapping off any excess.
7. **Decorate with sprinkles:** Immediately sprinkle the cake pops with Halloween sprinkles.
8. **Place the cake pops on a styrofoam block to dry:** Place the cake pops on a styrofoam block to dry completely.
**Tips for Cake Pops:**
* Use a high-quality cake mix for the best flavor.
* Don’t overmix the cake and frosting mixture, as this can result in tough cake pops.
* Chill the cake pops before dipping them in chocolate to help them stay on the sticks.
* Use a double boiler or the microwave to melt the chocolate, and be careful not to burn it.
* Get creative with your decorations! Use different types of sprinkles, candies, and icing to create unique Halloween cake pops.
**Recipe 6: M&M’s Halloween Graveyard Pudding Cups**
A simple and fun dessert that’s perfect for kids! Layers of chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and M&M’s create a spooky graveyard scene.
**Ingredients:**
* Chocolate pudding cups
* Oreo cookies, crushed
* M&M’s (Halloween colors)
* Gummy worms
* Candy tombstones (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the pudding cups:** Open the chocolate pudding cups.
2. **Create the graveyard:** Sprinkle a layer of crushed Oreos on top of the pudding to resemble dirt.
3. **Add M&M’s:** Arrange Halloween-colored M&M’s on top of the Oreo “dirt.”
4. **Add gummy worms:** Place gummy worms poking out of the “dirt” to look like they are crawling out of the grave.
5. **Add tombstones (optional):** If desired, add candy tombstones to complete the graveyard scene.
6. **Chill:** Refrigerate for a few minutes before serving to allow the pudding to set up slightly.
**Tips for Graveyard Pudding Cups:**
* Use sugar-free pudding for a healthier option.
* Substitute chocolate pudding with vanilla pudding and add green food coloring for a monster swamp theme.
* Use other candies like candy pumpkins or skeleton sprinkles for added decoration.
* Let kids help assemble the pudding cups for a fun and interactive Halloween activity.
**Recipe 7: M&M’s Halloween Rice Krispie Treats**
Classic Rice Krispie Treats get a Halloween makeover with the addition of M&M’s! These are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
**Ingredients:**
* 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
* 10 oz marshmallows
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1 cup M&M’s (Halloween colors)
**Instructions:**
1. **Melt the butter and marshmallows:** In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.
2. **Remove from heat:** Remove the saucepan from the heat.
3. **Add Rice Krispies and M&M’s:** Add the Rice Krispies cereal and M&M’s to the melted marshmallow mixture. Stir until well combined.
4. **Press into a pan:** Press the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
5. **Cool and cut:** Let the treats cool completely before cutting them into squares.
**Tips for Rice Krispie Treats:**
* Use fresh marshmallows for the best results.
* Grease the pan and spatula well to prevent sticking.
* Press the mixture firmly into the pan for a compact treat.
* Cut the treats into fun Halloween shapes using cookie cutters.
**Recipe 8: M&M’s Halloween Trail Mix**
A simple and customizable snack mix that’s perfect for snacking on during Halloween movie night or handing out to trick-or-treaters.
**Ingredients:**
* Pretzels
* Popcorn
* Peanuts (or other nuts)
* M&M’s (Halloween colors)
* Candy corn (optional)
* Other Halloween candies (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
2. **Mix well:** Toss the ingredients until they are evenly distributed.
3. **Store:** Store the trail mix in an airtight container.
**Tips for Trail Mix:**
* Adjust the proportions of the ingredients to your liking.
* Use different types of pretzels, nuts, or candies for variety.
* Add a sprinkle of salt or cinnamon for extra flavor.
* Package the trail mix in individual bags for easy snacking.
**Recipe 9: M&M’s Halloween Fudge**
Creamy, decadent fudge loaded with Halloween-colored M&M’s. This fudge is easy to make and perfect for gifting.
**Ingredients:**
* 3 cups granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup butter
* 2/3 cup evaporated milk
* 1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 7 ounce jar marshmallow creme
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup M&M’s (Halloween colors)
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine sugar, butter, and milk:** In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and evaporated milk. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
2. **Boil for 5 minutes:** Continue boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. **Remove from heat:** Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips, marshmallow creme, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. **Add M&M’s:** Stir in the M&M’s.
5. **Pour into pan:** Pour the fudge into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
6. **Chill:** Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
7. **Cut:** Cut into squares and serve.
**Tips for Fudge:**
* Use a candy thermometer to ensure the fudge reaches the correct temperature.
* Stir the fudge constantly while boiling to prevent scorching.
* Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
* Store the fudge in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
**Recipe 10: M&M’s Halloween Cupcakes**
Decorate your favorite cupcakes with Halloween-themed M&M’s and other candies for a festive treat!
**Ingredients:**
* Your favorite cupcake recipe or box mix
* Frosting (any flavor)
* M&M’s (Halloween colors)
* Halloween sprinkles
* Other Halloween candies (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Bake the cupcakes:** Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe or the box mix instructions.
2. **Cool the cupcakes:** Let the cupcakes cool completely.
3. **Frost the cupcakes:** Frost the cupcakes with your favorite frosting.
4. **Decorate with M&M’s and sprinkles:** Decorate the cupcakes with M&M’s, Halloween sprinkles, and other candies.
**Tips for Cupcakes:**
* Use a piping bag to create a professional-looking frosting swirl.
* Add food coloring to the frosting for a Halloween-themed color.
* Use cupcake liners with Halloween designs for extra flair.
* Get creative with your decorations and have fun!
**Conclusion:**
With these spooktacular M&M’s Halloween treat recipes, you’re ready to create a memorable and delicious Halloween experience. Whether you’re baking for a party, making snacks with your kids, or just indulging in a festive treat, M&M’s add a touch of fun and flavor to any Halloween celebration. So, grab a bag of your favorite M&M’s and get ready to bake some magic! Happy Halloween!
These recipes are a great start, and you can easily customize them to your liking. Add different types of chocolate, nuts, or candies to create your own unique Halloween treats. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it! The most important thing is to enjoy the process and create delicious memories with your loved ones.
**Happy Baking and Happy Halloween!**