Halloween brings with it more treats than most sane parents and caregivers could possibly want their kids to eat.
So, what do you do?
May we suggest adding a new trick to the holiday book by making your own avocado-inspired Halloween treats for a little balance to all the festivities? If this sounds a little too “out there” for your favorite little ghoul, it’s not … honest! We’re talking about delectable treats made creamy, decadent, and delicious by everyone’s favorite green fruit — avocado. Here’s how you go about it!
Kids love pudding, so why not mix up a scratch-made, no-cook chocolate pudding (we’re looking at you, non-dessert makers!)? This is so easy, there’s no need to even turn on the stove or take out a pan! Instead, take a whole, ripe, and pitted avocado, scoop out the flesh, and add into a blender with four tablespoons of good quality, raw cocoa powder, three to four tablespoons of honey or agave syrup (depending on preferred sweetness), and a half cup of almond or cashew milk. Add a pinch of sea salt and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract, then blend until smooth. Pour into fun little skull-shaped cups or something equally frightful, chill and serve. Sprinkle with dark chocolate chips and toasted almond slivers or gummy eyeballs and watch the kids devour your treats.
If your kids are adventurous and like tapioca, then try a chia seed pudding. To make the pudding, use a preserving jar with a lid and add about two cups of your favorite milk (nut, soy or dairy), the zest of one organic lemon, a sprinkling of cinnamon, a handful of washed, red, seedless grapes, and half a cup of chia seeds. Stir in four tablespoons of coconut sugar and the mashed flesh of one avocado. Make sure all is well combined and refrigerate overnight. Miniature “fish eyeball” pudding is served! Gross and good, right?
There’s nothing like a freshly made donut, fritter, or churro to excite any kid on Halloween. Instead of the typical hot fudge dipping sauce, stir up a cauldron’s worth of a ghoulishly grand green dipping sauce! Combine one avocado (peeled and pitted) with vanilla flavored yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Use a hand mixer or immersion blender to combine until silky smooth. Dip your heart out or use the dip to drizzle on Angel’s Food Cake, Devil’s Food Cake, or cupcakes, and decorate with gummy worms.
Dark chocolate cake, brownies as black as night, or “lava” cakes all benefit from the addition of creamy, dreamy avocados. For some who don’t consume dairy products, avocados, even in baked goods, easily take the place of cream, eggs, and butter. If dairy and lactose don’t bother you, you can still add the decadent goodness of avocados into your next batch of black-out cupcakes or brownies. If you don’t tell the kids, it’s pretty much guaranteed they’ll never know!
Who says all Halloween treats have to be sweet? Why not take the savory route and give deviled eggs a gory makeover? Take hard-boiled egg yolks and combine with avocado flesh, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, green onion slivers, salt, pepper, and mayo. Fill in the egg whites and drop a slice of a black olive on top (to resemble an eyeball). Drizzle Sriracha down the egg yolk, and voilà : a treat that’s gory and great!
Feeling really adventurous? Hollow out the center of a cauliflower and fill it with an avocado and salsa based dip made with mashed avocados, finely chopped red onions, tomatoes, cilantro, diced and de-seeded jalapeño, and a good splash of lime juice. Add salt, pepper, and your favorite hot sauce and serve your home made salsa in your “brain” bowl. Don’t forget the tortilla chips.
Have a spooktacular time this Halloween!