Easy Halloween Baking Ideas

Bone shivering brownies…

If you’re looking to create some amazing vegan brownies, we’ve got you covered. The only scary thing about our brownies is how good they taste! 

Here’s what you need (ingredients):

• 80g melted vegan butter: We recommend Flora Plant
• 180g white sugar
• 150g brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 120g plain flour
• 80g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 170g chocolate chips (Asda’s chocolate chips for baking are accidentally vegan!)
• 125ml plant milk (Oat milk works really well!)
• Pinch of salt

Here’s what you need (equipment):

• Small saucepan
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Large wooden spoon
• Square baking pan + greaseproof paper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line a square baking pan with greaseproof paper.
2. Melt the vegan butter in a small saucepan.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the melted vegan butter and sugars together. Then add the vanilla extract and whisk until evenly combined.
4. In the same large bowl, sift in the flour and cocoa powder. Add the salt and baking powder and stir with a large wooden spoon until just combined.
5. Fold in half of the chocolate chips and pour the batter into your baking pan and smooth out the top with a spoon. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on top of the batter.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The brownies may still be bubbling and not look done, but they will firm up a lot as they cool.
7. Remove from the oven, allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove the brownies and let cool for another 15-30 minutes before slicing and serving.
8. Enjoy!

Scary cupcakes!

Who doesn’t love cupcakes! Every Halloween party should have cupcakes, and scary ones at that. You can decorate them with fake blood (strawberry sauce) or even make some ghosts from vegan marshmallows to go on top too! 

Here’s what you need (cupcake ingredients):

• 220g plain flour
• 200g white sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 240ml soy milk (or other plant alternative)
• 80ml vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• Strawberry or raspberry sauce

Vanilla Frosting:

• 110g vegan butter
• 360g icing sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Here’s what you need (equipment):

• Cupcake tin
• Cupcake cases x12
• Jug 
• Mixing bowl x2 (or clean 1 in between cake and frosting)
• Wooden spoon
• Sieve
• toothpick/knife
• Piping bag (optional)
• Electric whisk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC and line a cupcake tray with 12 cupcake cases.
2. Sift the flour into a bowl and add the sugar, baking soda and salt.
3. Add the soy milk, vanilla extract, oil and white vinegar and mix until just combined, using a hand whisk to get rid of any big lumps.
4. Pour the batter into a jug that allows for easy pouring and pour evenly into the 12 cupcake liners, ensuring that all the batter is used up.
5. Place into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Check the cupcakes at 20 minutes, (a knife or toothpick will be clean after insertion into the centre if baked) or keep them in for a further 5 minutes if needed.
6. Prepare the frosting by adding the vegan butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl. Using an electric whisk (or hand if you’re feeling strong), begin mixing on a low speed, gradually increasing the speed until you have a perfectly smooth frosting.
7. When the cupcakes have cooled, pipe on your frosting. 
8. Then decorate your cupcakes with your ‘fake blood’ (strawberry or raspberry sauce). 
9. Enjoy!

Spooooooooky biscuits…

Get ready to whip up some homemade spooky biscuits to delight any ghost or ghoul. You can cut your biscuit into some scary shapes and decorate it with some Halloween themed icing and sprinkles. 

Here’s what you need (ingredients):

• 200g vegan butter (Flora Plant works the best for this recipe)
• 100g soft brown sugar
• 300g plain flour (and extra for rolling)
• Icing for decorating

Here’s what you need (equipment):

• Baking tray and greaseproof paper (reusable baking mat)
• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (or butter knife)
• Cooling rack

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper (or a reusable oven proof mat).
2. Combine your butter, brown sugar and plain flour in a bowl and mix until a smooth dough has formed, in a large bowl.
3. Lightly dust your surface and rolling pin with flour and roll out your dough until even and thin (about 5mm thickness).
4. You can either cut by hand (using a butter knife), or get your hands on some Halloween themed cutters and cut your biscuits into some spooky shapes. 
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Depending on the thickness of your cookies, check on them after 8-10 minutes and remove if golden. 
6. Transfer to a cooling rack and (try and patiently) wait until cool, then use a selection of icing to decorate your cookies. 
7. Enjoy!

Creepy mousses

You can rustle up this smooth, creamy, creepily chocolate mousse in a matter of 15 minutes! Pop it in the fridge after making it and serve it up as your Halloween party dessert. You can add some gummy worms to the mousse to give the worms an in-mud effect.

Here’s what you need (ingredients):

• 150g dairy-free dark chocolate, plus extra for serving
• 2 large ripe avocados
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 x 160 g tin of coconut cream
• Vegan gummy worms (optional)

Here’s what you need (equipment):

• Heatproof bowl (glass preferably)
• Saucepan with water
• Wooden spoon (for stirring melted chocolate)
• Knife (sharp enough for cutting avo)
• Food processor
• Spatula
• Small serving bowls x6

Instructions: 

1. Place a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
2. Break the chocolate into the bowl and allow it to melt, then set aside to cool slightly.
3. Halve and destone the avocados, then scoop the flesh into a food processor. 
4. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse for a few seconds. Scrape down the sides with a spatula, then pulse again to combine.
5. Pour in the cooled chocolate, then pulse a final time until creamy and smooth.
6. Divide the mixture between six small bowls, then pop in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.
7. Add your gummy worms and serve!

Eerie caramel apples…

Caramel apples are the classic fall treat. They’re a staple of carnivals and autumn festivals such as Halloween and Bonfire Night. They also make a great party piece at any Halloween party. 

Here’s what you need (ingredients):

• 6 small apples
• 6 popsicle sticks
• 75g vegan butter
• 150g white sugar
• 3 tbsp coconut milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Here’s what you need (ingredients):

• Small heavy bottom sauce pan
• Wooden spoon
• Whisk 
• Metal spoon
• Airtight container

Instructions:

1. Melt the vegan butter in a small heavy-bottom saucepan over medium/low heat.
2. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the white sugar, the coconut milk, and a dash of salt.
3. Whisk together until mixed and bring mixture to a boil over medium/low heat, then boil for 7 minutes. This will create your caramel sauce. 
4. Remove the caramel sauce from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
5. Allow the sauce to cool for about 10-15 minutes to cool and thicken slightly but don’t allow it to cool completely. You  will need to dip your apples while the caramel is still pretty warm, otherwise it will thicken too much to dip or pour over your apples.
6. Dip the apples in the caramel and use a spoon to scoop the remaining warm caramel onto the apples.
7. Store the dipped apples in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
8. Enjoy!