15 Halloween Desserts That Are Frightfully Easy To Make

No tricks, just treats ahead.

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Photo: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

Trick or treat? When it comes to Halloween desserts, we are all about the treats. As leaves start to change and grumblings of ghosts come to fruition, all we can think about are sweets. From candy corn to pumpkin-flavored everything, we confess that there's no such thing as too many confections this time of year. We love to ogle at the big bags of candy in the grocery store and all of the seasonal pre-made treats, but there are times when you just have to grab your cauldron and make something from scratch.

With all of the costume parties and classroom happenings this spooky season, we have put together some of our favorite easy-to-make, shareable, and relatively portable sweets to help you and those you love to celebrate. Whether you are into treats that give you the creepy crawlies, or just want an easy dessert full of fall flavor, we have got you covered. Beware! These treats will only last seconds after you serve them.

01 of 15

Pumpkin Bars

southern living pumpkin bars

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

While you're carving pumpkins, you could be snacking on these pumpkin bars. Cream cheese frosting tops the moist pumpkin spice cake, along with candied pumpkin seeds for a delicious Halloween treat. Plus, with 24 servings, you can easily serve a crowd.

02 of 15

Dirt Pudding

Dirt Pudding

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

If you're leaning into the zombie/creepy crawlers side of Halloween, these dirt pudding cups couldn't be more on theme. Plus, it's easy for kids to get involved in the creation of these cups.

03 of 15

Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies - Southern Living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

These easy homemade treats look just like little haystacks, and while they are not spooky, they remind us of childhood hayrides. Pair these cookies with a sliced apple and thank us later.

04 of 15

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Southern Living Pumpkin Whoopie Pies on a black platter

Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

While this treat has its beginnings up north, we've put a Southern spin on it by showcasing our love of pumpkin. Fun to eat and super portable, this dessert might just be more popular than what's in your candy bowl.

05 of 15

Monster Cookies

Southern Living Monster Cookies on a surface to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We hope these are the only monsters you encounter this October 31st. These cookies are called monster cookies because of how they are assembled: a melting pot of many different cookies made into one, giant fearsome cookie. Press candy eyeballs into the cookies once they come out of the oven to really follow through on the monster theme.

06 of 15

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
Photographer: Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Erin Merhar; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee

Full of fall flavors, these mini cheesecakes with a dollop of homemade maple whipped cream will be a delight for all. Decorate these personal-sized cakes with your favorite Halloween candy or sprinkles for some extra holiday flair.

07 of 15

Milky Way Cake

Milky Way Cake
Alison Miksch

During the Halloween season, sometimes we start grabbing bags of candy from the grocery shelves a little bit too early. When that happens, instead of eating pieces of candy off-hand, turn your favorite candy into a dessert to share.

08 of 15

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Southern Living Pumpkin Dump Cake sliced on a plate to serve topped with whipped cream

Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

If you are looking for the perfect cake to curl up with while watching Hocus Pocus, try this delicious, easy treat. For this recipe, we make our equivalent of a pumpkin pie filling and then sprinkle the filling with boxed cake mix and melted butter. It doesn't get easier than a dump cake!

09 of 15

Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Pumpkin-Chocolate Brownies

Greg DuPree

These pumpkin-chocolate brownies will haunt your memories long after Halloween day has come to an end... you might even find yourself tempted to make these again in the spring (spooky, we know!)

10 of 15

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

cowboy cookies on an orange platter with glasses of milk around
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle,Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

If your kiddo is dressing up as a cowboy or cowgirl for Halloween, you might want to rustle up a batch of these cookies to go along with the theme. Aside from enjoying the cookies, you will also love the story behind this dessert.

11 of 15

Reese's Cake

Reese's Cake on a silver pedestal

Alison Miksch; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Loren Wood

If Reese's peanut butter cups top your list of favorite Halloween candies, you'd be amiss not to make this cake for your party. A gooey peanut butter and chocolate glaze is drizzled atop the Bundt with broken peanut butter cup pieces. The inside is just as good: Enclosed in the moist chocolate cake lies a peanut butter-cream cheese filling.

12 of 15

Pumpkin-Pecan Coffee Cake

Pumpkin-Pecan Coffee Cake
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

If you're the type to always have a pot of coffee going when hosting, this pumpkin-pecan coffee cake just may be exactly what you need to serve this Halloween. With all the autumnal spices you desire mixed with sweet caramel and sugary flavors, this cake is scary good and will surely impress your guests.

13 of 15

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Forget the candy apple this year... these cheesecake bars include all the flavors you desire in a soft and rich square. And with just 45 minutes of hands-on time, you can't beat this no-sweat treat.

14 of 15

Pumpkin Spice Heath Cake

Pumpkin Spice-Heath Cake
Alison Miksch

Halloween and candy go hand-in-hand, and this delightful recipe is no exception. Satisfy your sweet tooth and pumpkin fix in just one bite. Toffee bits are mixed into the pumpkin cake batter and Heath English Toffee Bar garnishes the spiced frosting.

15 of 15

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

This chocolate pumpkin pie is uber-rich and indulgent. Airy sweetened whipped cream tops the pie, giving a good balance to the thick filling. Allow the pie to chill for at least four hours before serving.

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