Halloween is almost upon us! My son has loved this holiday all his life, and now the Snickerdoodles are following suit. Who can forget those delicious Halloween treats from our own childhood– candied apples, popcorn balls, and Halloween cookies? It’s a perfect time to cook with your little ones. Here are a few specialties from 1963 for you to try.
PUMPKIN COOKIES
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar, ½ cup shortening, 2 eggs, 1 ¾ cup canned pumpkin, 2 ¾ cup plain or all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ginger, 1 cup plump raisins, 1 cup chopped pecans.
Directions: Mix sugar, shortening, eggs, and pumpkin. Measure flour by dipping or sifting. Blend dry ingredients together, and add to pumpkin mixture, stirring until well blended. Add raisins and pecans. Drop batter by teaspoonful on ungreased baking sheet. In oven preheated to 400 degrees, bake 12 – 15 minutes until slightly browned. Cookies may be thinly iced if you desire. Makes 6 dozen cookies.
MARSHMALLOW POPCORN BALLS
Ingredients: 1 cup unpopped popcorn, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ cup butter, ½ pound marshmallows.
Directions: Pop corn and sprinkle with salt. Melt butter in skillet. Cut marshmallows in quarters. Alternate layers of popcorn and marshmallows in skillet. Cover, and heat slowly until marshmallows are partially melted. Remove from heat, and mix well. Form into 2-inch balls. Makes 9 balls.
HALLOWEEN PUNCH
Ingredients: 3 quarts orange sherbet, 5 quarts chilled ginger ale, cherries or grapes.
Directions: Insert large chunks of orange sherbet into chilled punch bowl. Pour ginger ale over the sherbet. Garnish with maraschino cherries or grapes to make faux floating eyeballs in your Halloween punch.
What do you think? Will these help get you in the ghostly spirit?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
I remember my parents making popcorn balls as treats every Halloween to pass out to the neighborhood kids. Of course, we had some too! I’ve never made them myself, but maybe I’ll try it…capturing a memory and the magic of the past. Thanks, Flossie!
Wouldn’t it be fun to turn on the tv and be able to watch those scenes again that way, Mae? Otherwise, thank goodness for our memories!
Yam, yam! Now I know what is the delicious smell tickling my nose. It’s the scent from your cookies. Keep a slice for me, too, please! I’ll hop over the ocean for a bite.
Carmen
http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
You bet, Carmen! I’ll save one of each of the treats just for you!