Conjuring up spirit of Halloween from past

Halloween is a great holiday for kids of all ages. You have a license to dress up, drape your house in creepy adornments, purposefully try to scare your friends and family, and delight the neighborhood kids with fistfuls of free candy.

Halloween is the one time of the year you have the pleasure of eating candy corn; of pulling slimy innards from a pumpkin and roasting its seeds afterwards; and of throwing a costume party to exercise your creative genius.

If you are celebrating the season, the following recipes will appeal to your inner child since they include both candy corn and popcorn!

Popcorn is another fall favorite, so well loved that October is officially National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. Now’s the perfect time to join your fellow Americans in consuming some 16 billion quarts of natural, whole grain popcorn this year.

The spirit of Halloween past is conjured up with this recipe for Halloween Heaven. Reminiscent of the popcorn ball—a one-time Halloween staple—this recipe builds on the basic marshmallow and popcorn structure by adding peanut butter for a little flavor and protein kick and then just the right amount of candy corn for holiday pizzazz.

Halloween Heaven

Ingredients:

• 8 cups air-popped popcorn
• 7 ounces marshmallow cream
• 1/2 cup reduced fat peanut butter
• 1 cup candy corn

Directions:

Combine marshmallow cream and peanut butter in a large bowl; mix until smooth.

Stir in popcorn and candy corn and mix until coated evenly.

Drop by heaping spoonfuls on wax paper or non-stick surface and allow to cool. Store in airtight container.

Haunted Popcorn Hands

Looking for a quick, healthful alternative to handing out candy this year? Try your hand at creating these festive treats featuring healthful, whole grain popcorn.

Ingredients:

• Clear polyethylene food service gloves
• Candy corn
• Popcorn
• Ribbon or yarn

Directions:

Place 1-3 pieces of candy corn at the end of each finger (depending on size of glove), pointy side first, to make fingernails. Fill the glove with popcorn and tie it off with ribbon or yarn.

Witchy Popcorn Balls

Kids will have a ball creating these witchy delights!

Ingredients:

• 16 chocolate wafer cookies
• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 3 cups miniature marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons (1/2 of a 3-ounce box)
• lime gelatin dessert mix
• Green food color, optional
• 8 chocolate ice cream cones
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• Orange sugar sprinkles, placed in a small dish
• Jelly beans, candy corn, licorice string

Directions:

Spread a sheet of wax (or parchment) paper over a work surface and place the wafer cookies on it.

Spray a large mixing bowl with cooking spray and place popcorn inside.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert powder until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. If desired, adjust color with a drop or 2 of food color. Pour over popcorn and mix well until coated.

Spray hands with cooking spray and press !rmly to form into 8 balls. Place balls on 8 of the wafer cookies. Press candy decorations into popcorn balls to form eyes, nose and mouth.

Place chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Cover and heat for 10 seconds. Stir chocolate to aid melting. Repeat as needed until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon melted chocolate onto the top of each popcorn ball. Press a few licorice strings into chocolate to form ‘hair’.

Dip cone edges into melted chocolate and then into orange sugar sprinkles. Place on remaining wafer cookies to form witches hat. Place hats onto popcorn balls. Allow chocolate to set for about 45 minutes before serving.

Serve or seal individually in plastic wrap for storage.

Yield: 8 (4-inch) popcorn balls