On the lookout for some pretty new holiday dessert ideas? Check out the lovely – and mouth-watering! – ideas in BHG’s Irresistable Holiday Cakes and Cupcakes gallery.

The gallery features 21 different recipes and also includes ideas that would work well for Thanksgiving, like this gorgeous Chocolate Harvest Cake and elegant Pistachio Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream:

And these lovely red and white cakes and cupcakes would actually be great for Christmas AND Valentine’s Day…

Click here to check out the entire slideshow at BHG!

We’ve covered a ton of Halloween dessert & treat recipes this month, but not a lot of ideas for when you (or your kids) need to eat something other than sugar! So here are 10 creative ideas for Halloween-themed meals that loved ones & party guests are sure to get a kick out of…

1. First up is this super-cute “Boo Spaghetti” idea from Jeanne Benedict. Gotta love it when something is this simple & cool! Dish up individual servings of pasta for your family or dinner party guests so that each person guests their own (pre-baked) “boo“.

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Next up, some clever ideas from BHG that prove it’s all about presentation…

2. Adam’s Ribs –  A knife stabbed into a sweet red pepper & displayed between 2 racks of spareribs makes for a decidedly Halloween-appropriate Halloween dinner!

3. Slithering Snake Sandwich – This pizza-like hoagie is such a cute idea – kids will eat this one up (both literally and figuratively)!

4. Tipsy Tombstone Sandwiches – Chicken salad takes a Halloween twist when cut into the shape of tombstones and served up in a “creepy cabbage graveyard”.

5. Scary Cerebrum – It’s Halloween… forget that pretty cocktail glass that your shrimp cocktail usually hangs from and try something a little um… gorier instead! Great appetizer idea or side dish for an Evil Scientist themed party.

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And some more fun Halloween meal ideas from Taste of Home:

6. Chilli-filled Coffins – Black food coloring turns cornbread the perfect graveyard hue!

7. Jack-o’-Lantern Sloppy Joe Pie – Finally, a “Jack-o’-Lantern” that’s tasty AND super-easy to carve.

8. Eyeball Taco Salad – Ever get that weird feeling that something is staring at you?

9. Jack-o’-Lantern Burgers – Another cute, super quick idea for guests of all ages!

10. Last but not least is this tasty-looking Ghost of Montecristo recipe from Martha Stewart. Made with country potato bread, melted cheese, turkey, ham, and a dusting of powdered sugar… these sound so good I could go for one right now!

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Here’s a fun Halloween party idea that can be tailored to adults OR kids… Jello Jiggler “Bites” or “Shots” with gummy body parts trapped inside! I tried this idea both ways; the orange jigglers were non-alcoholic and the yellow ones were the “cocktail” version – utilizing water and vodka – and both worked out great!

You could do the “trapped gummy” thing with regular jello shots (served from shot glasses or plastic cups), but the “edible” idea sounded especially appropriate for a jiggler/shot that calls for a gummy candy inside… and I also love the idea of serving them up in neat rows on trays, “appetizer style“!

All you need to recreate these are Gummy Body Parts – or another creepy gummy candy like gummy spiders or rats, plus jello and water.  Full recipes below, (adapted from Kraft).

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Kid-friendly Creepy Jigglers

2-1/2 cups boiling water (Do not add cold water.)
2 (8-oz) pkg. JELL-O Gelatin, any flavor

STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 3 min. until completely dissolved. Let mixture cool to room temperature. Pour into 13×9-inch pan. Let mixture cool to room temperature, then add gummy candies. (Use a spoon to help guide gummies into the spot you want them, if desired.)

REFRIGERATE at least 3 hours or until firm.

DIP bottom of pan in warm water 15 sec. Cut jigglers into squares, making sure to cut all the way through gelatin to bottom of pan. Lift JIGGLERS® from pan. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

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Creepy Jello Shots

1.5 cups boiling water
1 cups vodka
2 (8-oz) pkg. JELL-O Gelatin, any flavor

STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 3 min. until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool for a 3-5 minutes, then add vodka. Pour into 13×9-inch pan. Let mixture cool to room temperature, then add gummy candies. (Use a spoon to help guide gummies into the spot you want them, if desired.) Pour into 13×9-inch pan.

REFRIGERATE at least 3 hours or until firm.

DIP bottom of pan in warm water 15 sec. Cut jigglers into squares, making sure to cut all the way through gelatin to bottom of pan. Lift JIGGLERS® from pan. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

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Here are a few new-found favorites from Martha that I recently discovered in her “Creepy Treats” gallery… which honestly leans more towards “clever & stylish, with just a dash of creep.” (Except for maybe the Ladies’ Fingers cookies, which easily qualify as full-on creepy!)

1. Devil’s Food Cake with Flame Tuiles –Is is just me, or is this cake more gorgeous than creepy?! This look would actually make for a pretty Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert too.

2. I Scream Sandwitches – “wicked witches” with an eerie tendency to melt!

3. Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes – Pumpkin-flavored cupcakes topped with adorable marzipan pumpkins. Pressed for time? Substitute any ready-made pumpkin candy.

4. Boo-tiful Cake – marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles make for super cute – and super easy – friendly ghost cake toppers!

5. Sweet Bones – piped meringue makes for a truly bone-chilling treat!

6. Invisible Pops – These “magical” lollipops actually have the look of cool, modern trees… great party favor idea for Halloween and harvest, and woodland-themed parties. (These could be really cute with red, white, and pink candy corn for Valentine’s day too!)

7.  Jack-o’-lantern Tarts – mini-pie tops are the perfect place for Jack to show his face!

8. Brain Cupcakes – witty labeling like “Albert Mindstein” and “Intell E. Gent” makes these clever cupcakes even more hilarious!

See anything here that looks especially tempting to YOU? =)

After a short summer break, I’m excited to be contributing regularly over at Real Simple again… starting with today’s feature – Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be.  If you think being pregnant means no “fun” drinks for 9 months, think again!

Who knew that black olives could make for such a spooky topper to deviled eggs? These Spooky Spider Eggs are the perfect appetizer for Halloween parties! Just slice up some olives to use with your own favorite deviled egg recipe – or even store-bought apps if you’re pressed for time!

I’m loving the combination of these Tombstone Cookies & “Dark Chocolate Graveyard Pots de Creme” for an impressive ending to a Halloween dinner party!

Make-it-Quick Tip: Use instant chocolate pudding mix topped with crushed chocolate cookies or Oreos (remove the creamy middles first) for the “graveyard pots”. For the cookies, try store-bought wafer cookies or Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies, which have a nice “tombstone” shape. 

Pictured above and below: more favorites from the “17 scary-good Halloween Treats” gallery:

3. Cheddar Witch’s Fingers – serve with a red dipping sauce!

4. Chocolate Candy Corn Truffles – a cute idea for Halloween candy buffets (just use store-bought fudge if you’re pressed for time)

5. Owl Cookies – with candy-corn beaks! (owl silhouette pattern included)

6. Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Marshmallow Filling – top with orange (or red) sprinkles to add a splash of color

The following gourmet-looking treats would be especially appropriate for an adult Halloween bash, or as stylish gifts for friends & co-workers:

7. Chocolate-Pistachio Apricots – the presentation on this one is fantastic!

8. Peanut-Raisin Bark – chocolate-covered peanuts meet chocolate covered raisins…

9. Bite-Size Honey Popcorn Balls – the famous caramel popcorn ball goes  mini!

10. Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Brittle – appropriate for both Halloween and Thanksgiving… or try crushing it up and using it as a pumpkin pie topping!

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Sam Zien – known to most as “Sam the Cooking Guy” – and his super-fun cooking classes are a local favorites here in San Diego, but you can also get a taste of him on his Discovery Health show (nationally), his own show (certain markets), and in his first cookbook – Just a Bunch of Recipes.

He also recently hooked up with Fresh Express to help promote their new line of Seasonal Salads, and hosted a little get-together at his house last week to give a personal demo of what you can do with these salads… delivered in his signature funny, laid-back style of course!

{photos courtesy of Shawna Parks}

Sam whipped up 3 different types of salads, which we happily taste-tested: steak & goat cheese, spicy grilled shrimp, and a Mediterranean spinach salad with roasted tomatoes (plus a fabulous Pesto Pizza appetizer!). All of the recipes were quick & easy, featured minimal dressing – and, most importantly – tasted super DELICIOUS!

Here’s the full recipe for the Steak Salad (pictured above).

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Steak Salad with Goat Cheese & Crispy Tortillas
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:
4 oz Fresh Express® French Blossom Trio Salad
8 oz steak, cooked and sliced thin
4 oz goat cheese
2 fajita-sized tortillas
2 Tbsp olive oil
Juice from 1/2 a lime (about 1 Tbsp)
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1-2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped fine
Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:
• Combine oil, lime juice, vinegar, cilantro and salt & pepper. Mix well.
• Slice tortillas into matchsticks and cook in a dry, medium hot, non-stick pan until crispy, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• Put salad in a bowl and add just enough dressing to lightly coat
• Plate greens and top with steak, goat cheese, and tortillas.

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Sam and Fresh Express are also helping to promote Restaurant Week here in San Diego – when more than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants offer a fixed price, 3-course meal for $20, $30, or $40. This is a great excuse to get out and try some restaurants you’ve never been to before…at a discounted price!

And due to it’s popularity, Restaurant Week has recently been extended for another week… through Sept 25th! Click here for full details.

Speaking of restaurants, learn to “Dine Like a Pro” with these tips from Sam…one of his 3 video clips is pictured below. Check all 3 videos out here.

The special Halloween Tricks & Treats issue of Better Homes and Gardens that’s currently on stands is totally packed with the TONS of great ideas for Halloween! I picked up a copy this weekend and was instantly smitten with several of the ideas – especially the Gothic Gala (great adult party), Magic Show (cute kids party), and Eeerie Edibles articles.

5 favorites from Eerie Edibles are pictured above and below. Are these Cockeyed Cuckoo sandwiches adorable or what?! Made from meatballs and marinara atop ciabatta rolls, plus cream cheese & black olive “eyes”, sweet pepper “beaks” and “brows”, and snipped chives or shredded carrots for the “feather tops”. Genius!

This Spooky Stew is super cute too… individual servings of shepherd’s pie topped with whipped potatoes piped into the shape of a ghost. Green caper “eyes” add the perfect finishing touch!

This Jack-o’-Lantern Cheese Ball idea is so creative and EASY! (Gotta love easy!)  Simply cover your favorite cream cheese ball recipe with crushed nacho-cheese chips, then use black olives and a small pickle for the “face” and “stem”.

Create your own Batty Bites with chocolate-covered cookies (for the “body”) and toaster pastries (for the “wings”), then add some almond or candy eyes and colorful sprinkles to brighten things up!

Pretzel cookes dipped in white chocolate, a marshmallow, and piped melted chocolate are all that you need to create the 3 skeletons that lie in this “Tombstone Trio“. Make them a suitable crypt from chocolate graham-crackers sitting atop cookie-crumb “dirt” and green-tinted coconut “grass”!

For complete recipes & details on all of the above & more, check out the current Halloween Tricks and Treats issue by BHG (on news stands until Nov 3, 2009).

I’m loving the designs in this 17 Frightfully Good Halloween Cupcakes gallery from BHG for 2 reasons: 1. They’re clever & creative. 2. Most of them seem pretty simple & easy!

A few favorites pictured above, {clockwise from top left}:
1. Peeking Monster – would actually be great for Monster birthday parties year-round, too… and could even be modified for a dinosaur theme!
2.Who’s There? – also great for an Owl Theme baby shower or birthday party… might even be cute without the coconut.
3. Witch Feet – definitely modifying this one to “Santa Feet” for Christmas!
4. Green Goblin – cutest goblin I’ve ever seen!

More favorites… pictured above: Frankenstein and Under Wraps cupcakes.

Pictured above:
1. Spider Crawlers – a little more time-consuming, but guaranteed to make a statement with guests!
2. Spooky – Jordan almonds + cocoa puff cereal = spooky eyes…doesn’t get much easier than this!
3. Little Witch – with adorable sugar-cone hat!
4. Bare Bones – use licorice pastels & mints to create tiny skeleton motifs!

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Have fun!

Attn: Sweet Tooths – Did you know that there’s an entire website dedicated to “crafty recipes” starring m&ms, Snickers, Dove Chocolate, Twix, 3 Musketeers, and MilkyWay?! BrightIdeas.com is exactly that… and there are oodles of fun treats on there for all sorts of occasions.

In honor of the sweet-&-spooky holiday that’s right around the corner, here are some favorites from the Halloween category…

Pictured at top: Midnight Moon Cake, Vampire Bites (New Moon party, anyone?), and bite-size Pirate Brownies. Pictured below: if there ever was a time to describe a spider as “darling”, these Spider Cupcakes are it!

These Night Owl Cookies are pretty darn adorable too…(modify the colors for an Owl Themed Baby Shower!)

Want to go the creepier route? “Bloodshot” Eye Ball Cupcakes should do the trick!

A few more Halloween favs below: 1. Witch Caps; 2. Dancing Bones Brownies; 3. Scary Ghost Cookies (although I’m thinking these are way more cute than scary!); and Scarecrow Cupcakes.