Posted on 2024-04-25

Halloween treats

Halloween is known for its culinary delights, particularly the sweet treats that are served at parties or handed out to trick-or-treaters. 

Chocolate treats abound at Halloween. Chocolate has been popular for centuries. Cocoa beans were harvested by ancient Olmec Indians as far back as 1500 B.C. Original uses for cocoa beans were in bitter drinks, similar to coffee. It wasn't until sometime around the 16th century that sugar and cream were added to the bitter cocoa beans to create the first chocolate similar to what we know today.

Candied apples are usually dipped in toffee or caramel. Other apples may be dipped in a melted sugar coating, similar to the recipe used for lollipops and pulled-sugar treats. It's believed candied apples were created in 1908, when they were meant to be a display item to entice customers into candy shops. Candied apples are popular in the fall when apples are abundant. It also helps that the weather is less humid allowing the layer of candy surrounding the apple to set better and hold it's shape.

Candy corn is one of those treats that has become synonymous with Halloween. Created in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Philadelphia-based Wunderle Candy Company the candy was created to look like kernels of corn, however, each candy kernel is three times larger than a real kernel.  The can was originally called Chicken Feed.

Soul cakes were a treat commonly found in Britain and Ireland during the Halloween holiday. These cakes were baked with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins. The tradition has been kept alive and today's bakers make these biscuit-like cakes as fall treats.

Pumpkin pie makes its debut in the fall when most pumpkins are ripe for the picking. Pumpkins became popular for cooking in England in the 17th century and were likely brought over to America by the pilgrims. Early pumpkin pies were savory and full of spices. Today's pies are more sweet but still feature the familiar flavors of the past, including nutmeg and cloves. Pumpkin pie is often enjoyed around Halloween, but usually doesn't takes center stage during Thanksgiving celebrations. 

Originally published in The Times Dispatch, October, 2015