Despite all the reasons to be jaded about the holiday, I still look forward to Halloween. I love how on the same day, anyone who wants to, can try on a new identity or indulge in a bit of magic and mystery.
Choosing a costume is a high point of fall for kids from about age 4 until, well I’m not sure when the excitement diminishes. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
For several years, my grandma sewed Halloween costumes for my sister and I. Her generosity meant two things: First, it meant we got to go to the fabric store and stare at the pattern catalogs. We would flip back and forth weighing all the options. The page turning started as soon as the fall catalogs appeared, idly at first then with growing urgency as the deadline approached.
That brings me to the second part, grandma sewing our costumes meant we had to make a final decision about six weeks before Halloween. She needed time to gather the materials and sew the garments, which meant we were left out of the lunch-table costume brainstorming that peaks about three weeks before Oct. 31.
Our oldest was not quite 3 the first year we took him trick-or-treating. It didn’t matter that we visited just five houses, the evening was magical for all of us. Though I’m sure he has no memory of knocking on the first door, Mike and I agree it was one of the highlights of his toddler years.
His costume was simple. I created a no-frills farmer ensemble from a pair of second-hand overalls, a red flannel shirt, his favorite rubber boots and a straw hat. The hat was sized to fit a much older child, and it tipped down to cover his face more than it sat on his head. The effect was adorable.
Halloween night we took him around the neighborhood. At the first house — our next door neighbor — we stood on the sidewalk and let him climb the stairs all on his own. He had practiced the official Halloween exchange but we weren’t sure what would happen.
It turns out we didn’t need to worry, the kid was a natural. He called out his, “trick-or-treat” greeting clear as a bell, accepted the candy offered and followed up with an exuberant, “thank you very much!”
Watching the scene unfold, I was as excited as my son. When he turned around his eyes were wide as saucers. He knew he had just been let in on one of the greatest secrets of the universe and his mind was blown.
The next year, he had a better grasp on what was coming. We were slightly more ambitious in the costume department and he was able to visit considerably more houses. He started asking the next day when he could go trick-or-treating again, and kept asking for the following 12 months.
It has been fun listening to him plan costumes not only for himself but for his brother, parents and even members of the extended family. I am happy to embrace any holiday that inspires this much creative thinking.
When thinking about Halloween recipes, I wanted to channel some of that costume creativity. I was looking for something simple, a little silly and in keeping with the idea of trying on a new identity. It took a bit of brainstorming before I realized these white chocolate “candy corn” pretzels fit the bill perfectly. In my mind, the combination of salty and sweet in a snack is a winner every time.
They take a bit of time to make, but you only need a few tools and the steps are very simple. In fact, there are essentially only two steps that get repeated three times. By the time you get to the final application of chocolate, you’ll be well on your way to perfecting the technique.
If you are going to give these away, and I think you should, place a few in a little cellophane bag tied with a ribbon or simple twist tie. They are a festive treat to share with friends, neighbors or party guests. Halloween is only days away and I am still working on finding a costume for myself, but there is no doubt about it, these dressed-up pretzels are ready for Halloween.
“Candy corn” pretzels
8 ounces Ghirardhelli White Chocolate Melting Wafers
24 pretzel thins (original salted flavor)
Yellow food coloring
Orange food coloring
Lovers of salty sweet pairings will flip for these whimsical treats. White chocolate candy corn pretzels are a fun and easy food project that make a great addition to any Halloween party. All you need is a microwave, food dye, and some basic kitchen tools to scare up a few dozen or more. Grab a few friends to make this recipe in a snap.
Place one or two wire cooling wracks over a cookie sheet or cutting board.
Place 3 ounces (approximately 1/2 cup) of melting wafers in a microwave safe bowl — glass or ceramic works best. Microwave on full power for 45 seconds, stir and continue microwaving in 15 second intervals until the chocolate has become smooth and liquid.
Spoon the melted chocolate over one-third of each pretzel — work from side-to-side. If the chocolate turns into more of a spread than a liquid, return it to the microwave for another 10 seconds or until it is liquid again. When all the pretzels are coated make sure they chocolate has hardened to the touch before proceeding. It should only take a few minutes in a cool room. You may pop them in the freezer if needed.
Repeat the melting process with 21/2 ounces of chocolate (approximately 1/3 cup). When melted add a few drops of orange gel food dye (remember: you can add more but you can not take color away), stir and add additional drops until the chocolate reaches the desired color strength.
Coat the next third of the pretzels overlapping the first coat just slightly. Again allow the chocolate to harden to the touch before proceeding.
In a clean bowl melt the remaining chocolate and color with yellow food dye as before. Coat the remaining third of each pretzel. Allow the chocolate to harden before serving or storing in a cool dry place.
Note: Sealed in an air tight container, the coated pretzels should keep in a cool dry place for up to a week.
Prep time: 1 hour. Cook time: 5 minutes (to melt the chocolate).
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Approximate nutrition: 1 serving (3 coated pretzels/approximately 27g) 139 calories, 7.0 g fat, 88.2 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrates, 0.2 g fiber, 11.9g sugar, 1.6 g protein, 4 Weight Watchers Points Plus.
Rose McAvoy blogs at Light for Life at www.heraldnet.com/lightforlife and also at halfhersize.com. Email her at rose@halfhersize.com or find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/halfhersize.
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