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By blog team member, Kiran. To learn more about Kiran, check out our team page!
It’s that time again, friends. Festive fall full of pumpkins, spice, and everything nice, right?! I seriously can’t get enough of this season. Growing up, Halloween was a hugely (did I really just say that?) anticipated date for me. Trick-or-treating and getting outside with friends was always such a delight. I still love this time of year, and most years my family dresses up together (see below)!
We’ve shared a few posts in the past with ideas on non-candy treats to hand out and also why we’d do that in the first place (haha). And today I want to share one way to deal with all the candy you end up with as well as some real food for Halloween or fall-themed parties (new recipe included!).
What to do with all the candy?
Anyone with kids ends up in the same boat this time of year – loaded down with candy. So I want to share an idea that can help: The Sugar Goblin. This sponsor of ours offers an adorable stuffed animal (which comes with a book) that will leave a little something for your kids on Halloween night in exchange for their unwanted candy (after they pick out their favs to keep, of course)! It’s a great way to keep candy consumption in check without spoiling any of the fun. Lisa’s girls got one last year and thought it was super fun. The Sugar Goblin is sold at amazon and target.com. They did sell out last year, so if you’re interested, don’t delay! You can learn more about The Sugar Goblin from their website. And now for those party ideas…
Real Food for Halloween Parties
Whether you’re hosting an event or asked to bring something to share, some of the ideas below are good alternatives to traditional baskets of candy and sugar-laden treats. Because, as we just discussed, there is certainly no shortage of that around Halloween time. And, have no fear, we’re definitely not skimping on the yumminess factor. No, I’m pretty sure your little guests will be perfectly happy with the some of these options.
Pumpkin Muffins
Whole grain, non-messy, and no utensils required. This one is a no-brainer!
–- Pumpkin Fluff
A real foodified version of the tried and true dessert.
– - Pumpkin Roll Out Cookies
You see, I’m trying to get y’all to OD on pumpkin. Think I’m gonna make it happen? Just be sure to try one of these suckers before going there. P.S. – there’s a secret ingredient in this one!
– - Honey Caramel Apples
This is such a fun activity to do with kids. And bonus – they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Pun intended!
–– - Dip with veggies
I know you are thinking – WTH? And this is supposed to be Halloweenish? Well, when you serve your dip in a pumpkin, it certainly can be festive!
– - Tangerine Pumpkins & Pizza Mummies
Okay, so we first saw this on Pinterest. Hel-lo? Don’t lots of great ideas come from there anyhow? I love these tangerine pumpkins, and so do the kiddos. Also, the mummies are super cute and would work great with whole wheat pitas (you can find them at Trader Joe’s)!
Now for a recipe of our own that I seriously hope you try, whether it’s autumn or any other season. My kids are suckers for almost any energy ball. I love that they are easily transportable – think after-school snacks while en route to activities and great throw-ins for lunch boxes. And oh yeah, they’re full of super yummy ingredients I feel good about giving my kids. Let me warn you, though. These suckers are addicting. Once you pop one, you may not want to stop!
Pumpkin Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups oats rolled
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie mix
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup pepitas unsalted (shelled pumpkin seeds)
- 2 - 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips optional - I used Enjoy Life
Instructions
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Use a spoon to mix all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes (or longer).
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Remove from the fridge and form balls with your hands. They don't roll very easily, but instead you may have to squeeze them into the shape that you want them.
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Notes
1. Gluten-free if using gluten-free oats.
2. Dairy-free if using dairy-free chocolate chips.
3. We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
What do you like best about the fall season?
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The Sugar Goblin might not work for an older kid, but a flat-out trade maybe. Thank you for the idea!
We use the Switch Witch.
Yum, can’t wait to try these Pumpkin Energy Balls with SunButter instead of almond butter (due to my son’s almond allergy). Thanks for the recipe. Pinned!
Great! Let us know how they turn out :-) .
Also check with your local dentist-several in our neighborhood pay kids for their candy (and then ship it to our troops overseas). Win/win and no additional Halloween commerce :)
I was going to mention this same thing! My son’s dentist does a candy buy-back. $1 per pound, and the candy goes to the troops.
So I am also in a Pumpkin Mood and and bought the first can of pure pumpkin puree at the grocery this past weekend. Now granted, it was an off-brand but that usually doesn’t bother me. I was all set to make Pumpkin Pancakes and I open the can…the pumpkin is in a solid mass. Like the canned cranberry gel — at Thanksgiving. I check the date on the can and its 2017. It’s not rancid. Then my eyes wander to the ingredients: Pumpkin, Carrageenan. Blah. I was so disappointed. I had no idea that basic pumpkin puree could be adulterated. I will check the label forevermore.
Try roasting your own. Pie pumpkins have been 41 any size, at my local grocery store(normally $2-$3 at my farmers’ market), naturally I bought the largest ones I could find. Sure, it takes time to roast a pumpkin, but one gets way more then a can’s worth. I find pie pumpkins keep in my basement through November, sometimes longer, so I stock up. Then I roast as needed throughout the fall. Though you could certainly roast and freeze for later use.
A lot of these ideas look great but I have an allergy to tree nuts– no coconut, almond etc. What can you suggest as alternatives?
You can leave out the coconut and use peanut butter or sunbutter (with sunflower seeds).
How do you make the mummy bananas stand up? Super cute idea with the tangerine pumpkins, but I am afraid the bananas will be falling all over the place losing their facial features- like A LOT! :)
Hi. There is no real magic there. They stand up pretty well as long as they aren’t oversized bananas. :)
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To make the veggies and dip look spooky, try sticking carrot fingers in them. I saw some neat on-line pictures of humus with carrot fingers sticking out of the humus. Almonds or red pepper were used for the finger nails. I wanted to bring some to a school party, but alas needed individually wrapped snacks.
I made these today and they are wonderful! So easy and delicious. Love them!
Yay! So glad that you love them:).
Delicious and super easy to make! Thanks