Halloween began a week early for us this year. When I was a child I barely remember wearing a costume more than once, but now with all the festivals and neighborhood parties, our kids are getting plenty of use from theirs. This weekend we hosted our first Kiddie Halloween Party at home. We originally planned to hold it in the front yard, but rain moved everything indoors. That meant seventeen sugar-fueled preschoolers running through the house. I worried about keeping them entertained, but the kids quickly found their own fun: toys, candy, and a swarm of little Super Heroes, Princesses, and Transformers.
While the children played, the adults gathered in the kitchen with classic Halloween tunes, snacks, sangria, and a seasonal pumpkin ale. Most of our guests were neighbors who only had a few houses to walk home, so it felt perfectly relaxed and festive.
One of my dear friends, Allison (mom to Spiderman and Superman), brought adorable and delicious Mini Caramel Apples. They were a hit with both kids and grown-ups. My son declared the peanut butter-coated version his favorite.
Mini Caramel Apples
| 4-inch lollipop sticks (cut in half) |
| Melon baller |
| Granny Smith apples (one apple yields about 8 mini apples) |
| Butterscotch or peanut butter chips |
| Chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, shredded coconut (optional) |
First, slice the lollipop sticks in half at an angle so the pointed end inserts easily. Use a melon baller to scoop small balls from the apple, making sure each ball retains some peel. Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of each apple ball and pat the pieces dry.
Melt the chips according to package directions. Dip and swirl each mini apple in the melted chips, then roll in nuts, sprinkles, nonpareils, or coconut if desired. Place the finished apples into paper candy cups to set.
Helpful tip from Allison: after dipping, place the mini apples apple-side up on a cooling rack with the stick hanging down so the coating can dry without being smushed. If your rack has short legs, set it over a bowl to give the sticks room to hang freely.
Another friend, Betsy (mom of Transformer Bumblebee twins), brought a playful Halloween pasta she found at World Market. The pasta featured little shapes of bats, pumpkins, and witches—such a fun and festive addition to the spread.
