Most moms dread the thought of Trick or Treat bags filled with ultra-sugary candy. You want the kids to have a good time on Halloween night, but you don't want them overloading on empty calories. Tummy aches and toothaches are no fun for anyone. So this year, why not offer Halloween treats that are fun and nutritious?
Caramel Apples
Who says you have to stock up on mini candy bars and lollipops? Offer caramel dipped apples instead. Yes, the caramel counts as candy, but the apple is the star of the treat. Get the kids involved in making this fun snack and they won't even miss the volumes of candy. You can also offer them to Trick of Treaters. Just wrap them in wax paper or cellophane after they've had a chance to set.
Make caramel apples by washing and drying the apples of your choice. The grocery or craft store will carry lollipop sticks during the Fall season. Place one stick in each apple so that it's firmly in place.
Now, when it comes to the caramel, there are two ways to do it. You can either buy caramel wraps in the grocery store. They are intended for exactly this purpose. They come in thin, flat, circular discs and are ready to wrap around the apples. Peel off one wrap at a time and simply form it around the base of the dry apple. As long as your apples are dry, the caramel wrap will stick for good. If there's any moisture, the wraps will tend to slide off.
The other way to make caramel apples is the old-fashioned way. You could boil up a batch of caramel using sugar and a candy thermometer. But it's even easier to buy a few bags of caramel candies and melt them down. In a large pot that you've buttered, melt a whole bag of caramels over low heat. Stand right by the pot stirring it. Don't walk away as caramel burns very easily and you'll have to throw the whole batch away. When all the caramels have melted, dip one apple on a stick at a time into the molten liquid. Roll the apple around so that the whole thing is covered. Let it set for a few seconds and then roll it in again for a second coat. Set on wax paper with the stick standing up until set. Once all the apples are done, you can either roll them in chopped peanuts, sprinkles, walnuts or crushed pretzels.
Other Healthy Choices
It all depends on whether you're looking for alternative Halloween treats for your own children or if you're trying to come up with a healthy treat to give out to Trick or Treaters in your neighborhood. If it's for your own children, you have lots of options. You can cut cheese into fun Halloween shapes and arrange them on a funky decorated plate. You can cut their sandwiches into cat or pumpkin shapes and have a good time with the Halloween theme. You can even offer muffins with a light cream cheese frosting that you dust with edible food glitter. Do blacks and oranges for a fun look. Stick in a pumpkin or ghost shaped decorative pick.
For Trick or Treaters, you have to be careful. You don't know who might have an allergy to something you've made. And since the goblins at your door will disappear into the night, you can't check with every one of their parents. So, instead of making something, offer store bought popcorn balls, fruit roll ups, cheese and cracker packets, juice boxes, animal crackers or fun-shaped graham crackers.
There are many ways to have a fun and healthy Halloween season. Check out grocery store displays as often there are new holiday-shaped foods that are introduced during the Fall.
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