My sister and I used to trick or treat every year when we were younger.
I can't remember when we started by I do remember some of the 'treats' we were given.
One lady gave us each 5 cents.
It doesn't seem like much but back then you could get a pretty good sweet at the shops for 5c.
Another household gave us bananas which we were both singularly unimpressed with.
I didn't even eat banana bread in my fussy days so they may as well have given me a lump of coal.
Fifteen years ago, Halloween wasn't really a thing here in Australia which is probably why the houses we trick or treated were so unprepared.
Fast-forward to now and the shops are filled with all manner of Halloween decorations, costumes and candy and the neighbourhood is dressed spooktacularly.
From about 4pm on the 31st you see little witches, ghouls, fairies, goblins, cowboys and mummies going door to door trick-or-treating.
I can't wait to have a house so we can welcome the kiddies with bowls full of treats.
Of course I will probably dress up (any excuse!) to greet them.
I'm not sure that parents would like their children to receive baked goods from strangers but if it was socially acceptable I would whip up a mega batch of skeleton gingerbread for any trick-or-treaters who knocked on my door.
They were my first ever attempt at piping royal icing and I have to say. It wasn't too tricky.
Yes it's a pretty amateur design but it has the desired effect. I had a little bit too much fun photographing these, giggling to myself as I set them up in different arrangements.
It doesn't even matter if they lose a few limbs (or a head) in the baking process, it just adds to the authenticity. Use your favourite biscuit recipe or my delicious gingerbread.
I discovered the recipe a few years ago and it has been my go-to ever since.
The best part is these babies keep for quite a few days so you can make them in advance for your ghoulish guests.
Enjoy!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 125 g butter
- ½ cup golden syrup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk keep the white for the icing
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon bicarb-soda
- 2 ½ cups self-raising flour sifted
- Icing - 1 egg white & 1 cup icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160C fan-forced.
- Line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Combine butter, golden syrup and brown sugar in a small pan and heat them over medium heat, stirring, until it all melts together.
- Remove to a bowl and cool (I usually put the bowl in an ice bath for a little while because I’m impatient!).
- Stir in the egg yolk and the rest of the dry ingredients to form a soft dough. You can do this on the electric mixer.
- Turn it out onto plastic wrap and press into a flat disc. Rest in fridge for 1 hour to firm up.
- Divide the dough into 3 pieces and work with one piece at a time.
- Roll the dough to 7-8mm on lightly floured surface and cut shapes with a cookie cutter.
- Place on a baking paper-lined tray and bake for 7-10 minutes until firm. Stand on tray for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool.
For the icing:
- Whisk the egg white to almost firm peaks then slowly whisk in 1 cup of icing sugar.
- Pipe the skeletons onto the cooled biscuits then leave the icing to set.
celia says
So cute, Claire! I'd forgotten about Trick or Treat, I'd better make something! :)
Claire says
Oh how I'd love to trick or treat your house!
The Café Sucré Farine says
These are too cute Claire! I can tell you had fun :)
Claire says
Thanks Chris. I did indeed!
molly kelly says
Oh how you have kicked on since U. frank made Izzi cry!!! xx
Claire says
Haha oh that was funny! Poor Izzi.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I didn't let my children eat home cooked treats but when I was a kid, we got popcorn balls, cookies, brownies, homemade fudge and MAYBE just maybe one of the bigger houses gave candybars. whoa.. big queue outside their door. These biscuits are really cute. I felt sorry for the headless and armless ones though.
Claire says
Oh my goodness all those treats sounds fantastic! Hehe yes poor little armless headless skeletons.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
They are SO cute! I wish you were my neighbour and I could come and knock on your door for one :D
Claire says
I would happily give you one Lorraine!
Hotly Spiced says
These are fabulous Claire. I do hope you find some trick or treaters so you can hand them out. The kids would love them xx
Claire says
Thanks Charlie! I managed to find some kiddies who were only too happy to help me out. x
Christine @ Cooking Crusade says
oh hehe what a great idea! very cute for Halloween and I love that I already have a gingerbread man cutter :D
Claire says
You can do so much more than just make gingerbread men with them!