We’ve all done it… You sit waiting for the trick-or-treaters with one hand in the candy bowl. There are always plenty of left-overs, right? Or, perhaps your young one it still small enough not to lay claim to their entire haul.

Is it possible to enjoy Halloween without packing on a few pounds or sending your kids sky-high on a sugar rush? Of course! And, most of the time, it’s cheaper (and more fun), too!

Whether you undertake edible eyeballs, monster toes or witches brooms, it’s worth the effort!

Let’s start with the basics: Pumpkin.
Put that thing to good use! Ok, so you may not want to cook up a pumpkin that’s been sitting, carved, on your front porch for a week, but when you’re buying your Jack-O-Lanterns, pick up a little cooking pumpkin, too! You can use your pumpkin to make cookies, cakes, pies… You name it! Heck, slice it up, coat it with flour and throw it in a frying pan – you can either salt and pepper it, or add some honey and cinnamon for a sweet treat!

And make good use of the seeds from your carved creations! Roasting them is just the beginning. Add a little sugar or honey and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and you’ve got a tasty treat. If you’re in the mood for something spicier, try a little Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, or cayenne pepper.

Lucky for us, Apples are in season in the fall – and they’re relatively inexpensive, too! You can use them for everything from Applesauce Cookies to pies and tarts. Vampire Fangs and Blood are my personal favorite – thin apple slices, coated with a little lemon juice to prevent browning, dipped in strawberry jam or cherry sauce. Other fruit can be put to good use, too. Oranges – though a little out of season – make wonderful frozen treats! Or use orange juice and yogurt to make healthy, sweet, Halloween colored smoothies.

Dying for some chocolate? No problem! Home made chocolate cakes, cookies, and candies can be made with WAY less sugar than the candies you’re used to. Cut the amount of sugar and use applesauce or honey. I’ve even seen recipes that call for pitted dates as a means of lowering the fat and sugar, like this one.

So take a little time this Halloween and make a few tasty treats for yourself. Your alter ego will thank you in the morning!