Preparing a Halloween party meal may seem like hocus pocus. Inspired by the signature tastes and treats of fall, these simple dishes and drinks will add a festive flair to any party. To find the full recipes for your guests to indulge in, take a look at TheNews.org.

DINNER PARTY DRINK

For a refreshing kick start to any party, a tall glass of Apple Bobbing Punch can have guests enjoying more than one holiday flavor. With a blend of juices from apples, lemons, oranges and cranberries, this mixture will please guests who prefer different tastes.

Apple Bobbing Cider

Ingredients

1 (32-ounce) bottle apple cider

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1 (32-ounce) bottle cranberry juice drink

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1 (16-ounce) jar whole crabapples, undrained

1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

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1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 (1-liter) bottle ginger ale or lemon-lime soft drink, chilled

Preparation

1.     Stir together the first 5 ingredients.

2.     Chill the mixture.

3.     Stir in ginger ale just before serving.

4.     Serve over ice.

Recipe from: www.yummly.com

APPETIZER

For those who are not fans of pumpkin flavoring, the pumpkin cheese ball satisfies the tradition of festive decor without using a single pumpkin. Serve with chips, crackers or bread to satisfy all guests. The pumpkin cheese ball has a variety of ingredient options as well.

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) blocks extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

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1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

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1 (8-ounce) container chive-and-onion cream cheese

2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

1 broccoli stalk

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Red and green apple wedges

Preparation

1. Combine cheddar cheese and the next 4 ingredients in a bowl until blended.
2. Cover the mixture and chill 4 hours or until mixture is firm enough to be shaped.
3. Shape mixture into a ball to resemble a pumpkin.
4. Smooth entire outer surface with a frosting spatula or table knife.
5. Make vertical grooves in ball, if desired, using fingertips.
6. Cut florets from broccoli stalk, and reserve for another use.
7. Cut stalk to resemble a pumpkin stem, and press into top of cheese ball.
8. Serve cheese ball with apple wedges so that guests who were dreaming of apples after the punch can enchant their taste buds.

Recipe from: www.myrecipes.com

ENTREE

Wrap your thoughts around this idea: mummy dogs are a delicious option will attract all your guest’s attention for its appeal to ancient history. Combining mini hot dogs with flakey crescent rolls is a quick and easy meal for guests. Dip them in ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce for added flavor.

Mummy Dogs

Ingredients

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

10 large hot dogs

Cooking spray

Mustard or ketchup, if desired

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
2. Unroll and separate dough.
3. Wrap four pieces of dough around each hot dog to look like bandages, stretching dough to cover the hot dog. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake 13 to 17 minutes, or until dough is light golden brown and hot dogs are hot.

Recipe from: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/crescent-mummy-dogs/d52a57d7-ab8a-4a1c-8dae-f9f90d03b912

DESSERT

Don’t get caught in the web of ordinary desserts. Similar to a funnel cake, spider web fritters will have guests crawling for seconds. This dessert is sure to please all crowds with its sweet powdered sugar coating and its appealing spider web design.

Spider Web Fritters

Ingredients

Vegetable oil, for frying

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon fine salt

3/4 cup milk

1 large egg

1 tablespoon maple syrup, plus 1/4 cup for brushing

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Jelly spiders, orange or black nonpareils, for garnish, optional

Preparation

1. Pour enough oil in a large skillet so it’s about 1 inch deep. Heat oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers between 280 to 300 degree F.2.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
3. Make a well in the center; add the milk, egg, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup.
4. Whisk the dry and wet ingredients together until smooth.
5. Transfer batter into a large size pastry bag with a # 3 or 4 open tip.
6. Carefully squeeze batter in a circular pattern and then back and forth into the oil, to make a free form spider web-like design, about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
7. Cook until bottoms are golden, about 2 minutes. Using tongs or slotted spoon, turn fritters over and cook until golden on other side, about 1 minute more.
8. Transfer the fritters to paper towels to drain briefly.
9. Brush lightly with maple syrup and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Repeat with remaining batter.
10. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/maple-cinnamon-spider-web-fritters-recipe.html

AFTER PARTY DRINK

Dessert does not have to stop at spider web fritters. A sweet indulgence for those 21 and older is the candy corn shot. It provides a fun twist on one of Halloween’s most popular candies. Each ingredient layers upon each other to match the candy corn colors. Top off the night with this liquid candy.

Candy Corn Shooter

Ingredients

1/3 oz. Galliano

1/3 oz. orange curacao

1/3 oz. cream

Preparation

1. Pour the Galliano into a shot glass.
2. Float the orange curacao on top.
3. Float the cream on top.

Recipe from: seriouslyforreal.com

Story by Tiffany Whitfill, Staff writer