17 Halloween Dessert Ideas I Pull Out Each October

Every October, it’s time for spooky treats to steal the spotlight. These 17 Halloween dessert ideas sneak onto the table like mischievous ghosts, fun, sweet, and a little unpredictable. Whether for parties or late-night cravings, these desserts make October feel like a sugar-fueled adventure.

Chocolate cupcakes decorated with Oreo cookies resembling bats, complete with candy eyes. Orange pumpkins are visible in the background.
Bat Oreo Cupcakes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dirt Cake Cakepops

Chocolate cake pops covered in crushed cookies, each with a gummy worm on top, displayed on parchment paper.
Dirt Cake Cakepops. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Hard to beat desserts on a stick at themed parties. Dirt Cake Cakepops bring together fun and easy bites without making a mess. Good for passing around to everyone or packing up as party favors. They hold up on the treat table for hours. Always the first thing to run out when friends swing by.
Get the Recipe: Dirt Cake Cakepops

Scary Eyeball Truffle

A pile of white chocolate covered truffles decorated to look like spooky Halloween eyeballs, complete with red veins and a candy eyeball in the center.
Scary Eyeball Truffle. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Pantry shelves fill up with sweets but some just stand out. Serving Scary Eyeball Truffle always gets a reaction and they double as spooky party decor. Smooth centers make them a simple grab-and-go treat. Perfect mix of fun and flavor in every bite. Bowl is always empty by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Scary Eyeball Truffle

Halloween Candy Corn Mini Cheesecakes

Mini cupcakes with yellow frosting and white ghost-shaped toppers decorated with black eyes, arranged on a wooden surface with sprinkles.
Halloween Candy Corn Mini Cheesecakes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bright colors always make dessert trays pop at group parties. Every bite of Halloween Candy Corn Mini Cheesecakes packs creamy layers and sweet flavor. Great for showing off at small events or late night snacks. No fork needed for easy eating. Works well as a late-night craving fix too.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Candy Corn Mini Cheesecakes

Halloween Rice Krispy Brains

Clusters of pink and red puffed rice cereal treats are arranged on a dark, patterned plate next to a white skeleton hand decoration.
Halloween Rice Krispy Brains. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

No party can skip the classics with a wild side. Trays of Halloween Rice Krispy Brains give chewy bites and a goofy look everyone likes. Quick to make and fun to serve. Kids grab them fast but adults always sneak one too. Always top of the snack list.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Rice Krispy Brains

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Two cupcakes with light brown frosting are shown on a white surface, each in a beige paper liner.
Pumpkin Cupcakes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cupcakes get way more fun with a twist on classic flavors. Pumpkin Cupcakes bring a hint of extra warmth that stands out from the usual treats. Easy to frost or pack up for a party. Soft crumb holds together even after a few hours out. These are a must for any dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cupcakes

Creepy Witch Fingers Cookies

A plate of witch finger cookies with jam and jelly on it.
Creepy Witch Fingers Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cookie platters get noticed with just a little spooky touch. Rows of Creepy Witch Fingers Cookies come with crunch and a funny look that fits the whole vibe. They’re a hit as party snacks and go quick from the table. No one can resist grabbing one. Always gone by the end of the event.
Get the Recipe: Creepy Witch Fingers Cookies

Pumpkin Cheesecake

A person holding a piece of pumpkin cheesecake on a fork.
Pumpkin Cheesecake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When you want classic comfort with a cool twist, these slices do the trick. Plates of Pumpkin Cheesecake look great and hold up well for second helpings. Works for fancy parties just as well as casual movie nights. Creamy smooth every time you slice it. Everyone at the table asks for a piece.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Spooky Halloween Cookies

Halloween cookies with black frosting and marshmallows.
Spooky Halloween Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Every bash needs treats that fit the theme from color down to crunch. Bites of Spooky Halloween Cookies look cool and taste just as good. They travel well for parties and bake swaps. Soft enough for anyone to like them. By the time the night is done, your plate is empty.
Get the Recipe: Spooky Halloween Cookies

Pumpkin Bars

A group of pumpkin bars with icing on top.
Pumpkin Bars. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Dessert bars that fit every party theme just can’t be beaten. Squares of Pumpkin Bars are quick to pack for any event or lunch box. Easy to stack up without getting sticky. Good for trading at bake swaps. You’ll see empty plates in no time.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bars

Halloween Cups

A close-up of dessert cups layered with chocolate, cream, crushed cookies, and topped with colorful gummy worms.
Halloween Cups. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

No fork needed when everyone wants dessert on the go. Small bowls of Halloween Cups pack layers and bright colors with each scoop. Stack them up for quick serving. Handy for smaller parties or busy tables. Always a stash worth grabbing for a late snack.
Get the Recipe: Halloween Cups

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

A stack of pumpkin coffee cake squares with crumb topping and white glaze, arranged on a wooden board.
Pumpkin Coffee Cake. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Brunch or dessert menus get an upgrade with cool crumbly squares. Every slice of Pumpkin Coffee Cake brings a sugary top with a tender bite beneath. Holds up even after a few hours sitting out. Works with coffee or on its own. This is always requested by at least one friend.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters

A group of chocolate monster cookies on a table with pumpkins.
Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cookie sandwiches grab everyone’s eye on party trays. Layers of Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters hold together soft cream with every squeeze. Neat for photo ops while being easy to share. Goes quick at any friends’ gathering. Leftovers are almost never found.
Get the Recipe: Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters

Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake

Close-up of five bright orange physalis fruits placed on a chocolate pumpkin patch brownie surface, garnished with fresh green mint leaves.
Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Brownies work for any party but this brings extra fun to the table. Slabs of Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake layer thick and rich with a quick pop of color. Slices up clean so everyone gets a neat piece. Always good for sharing with a crowd. Nobody minds leftovers with this one.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake

Day of the Dead Cookies

Decorated sugar cookies shaped like skulls with colorful icing, designed to resemble traditional Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls, are arranged with small decorative leaves.
Day of the Dead Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Colorful cookies get the table talking at any event. Decorations on Day of the Dead Cookies pop and keep things fun with every bite. Pile them on a plate for snacks on the move. Good for bake swaps or parties. Tray always empties by the end.
Get the Recipe: Day of the Dead Cookies

Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake

Close-up of a Pumpkin Dump Cake, a baked dessert topped with chopped pecans and drizzled with caramel sauce, served in a white dish on a wooden surface.
Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Quick pans make life simple when you need dessert fast. Plates of Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake hand out soft sweet bites that stay good hours after baking. Works great cold or warm. Packs up for potluck plates with no mess. Nobody believes how easy it was.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin Roll

A slice of pumpkin roll being sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Pumpkin Roll. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Parties feel extra special with cakes you can slice into swirls. Pumpkin Roll comes out soft with a creamy center rolled up tight. Super easy to serve in small bites. Handles transport well if you need to travel. Friends finish it before dessert plates are cleared.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Roll

Bat Oreo Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes decorated with Oreo cookies resembling bats, complete with candy eyes. Orange pumpkins are visible in the background.
Bat Oreo Cupcakes. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cupcakes dressed up for parties swing big on the treat table. Toppings on Bat Oreo Cupcakes stand out and get people grabbing for a second one. Packed for lunch or a late snack, they travel well. Soft centers with a bit of crunch each bite. These never get left behind.
Get the Recipe: Bat Oreo Cupcakes

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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