Whether you’re going out this Halloween or staying in and watching scary movies back-to-back, satisfy your sweet tooth with these Halloween-themed finger food deserts. While we all love pumpkin, I’ll state my unpopular opinion that around fall, the excess of pumpkin-flavored food can be a bit of an overkill. That being said, I decided to stay away from all things pumpkin here and instead try out some more creative dessert ideas. So set that pumpkin spice latte down, and get in the spirit with candy corn Rice Krispies, cinnamon-cider glazed apples, and sweet and salty popcorn.

Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats

3 tablespoons butter
1 package of marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
1 package of candy corn

In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat, add cereal and package of candy corn and stir until well mixed. Using a buttered spatula or wax paper, evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Let cool. Cut into 2-inch squares.

Cinnamon-Cider Glazed Apples

1 3/4 cups Apple Cider
1/2 cup brandy (optional)
2/3 cup of Red Hots
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
12 wooden craft sticks
12 Granny Smith apples (or apples of your choice)

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat paper with cooking spray. Next, combine cider and brandy in a saucepan and bring to a boil, turn heat to low and let sit for 14 minutes. Add candies to the pan, stirring constantly until melted. Add sugar and salt, stirring just until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for 20 minutes. I personally sliced up my apples and used the mixture as a dipping sauce But if you want to go the other route, just stick the craft sticks in the apples, dip them in the syrup and place them on baking sheet!

Sweet and Salty Popcorn

1/2 cup popcorn kernels, freshly popped
1 can of lightly salted almonds
1 package of M&M’s
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine popped popcorn, M&M’s and almonds in a large bowl, set aside. Combine butter, corn syrup and brown sugar in a large pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Stir in salt, baking soda and vanilla extract (mixture will bubble). Quickly pour mixture over popcorn, M&M’s and nuts; toss until coated. This recipe is one of my favorites because you can definitely add your own personal touch and decide what exactly goes in the recipe. For a sweeter taste, use kettle corn instead or regular popcorn.