Our perfect pumpkin recipes make the most of this vibrant autumnal veg in everything from comforting curries and soups to pumpkin pie, donuts and muffins
Looking for pumpkin recipes? Roast pumpkin is an autumnal classic, so try it in pumpkin soup, curry and the ultimate pumpkin pie. We're big on zero waste at olive, so we've also included ideas for how to use pumpkin seeds (savoury granola anyone?). Whether it's Thanksgiving or Halloween, we've got a pumpkin recipe for every occasion (Be careful, though, as not all carving pumpkins are edible!). Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own pumpkins from our friends at Gardeners' World. Pumpkin recipes Baked baby pumpkin with red curry prawns Red curry prawns are combined with baked pumpkins in this gluten-free main. You could use small butternut squashes instead – the cooking time might need to be adjusted, however. Pumpkin soup Serve this in big mugs with fat fingers of melty cheese toasties for dipping. See more of our favourite autumn soup recipes. Thai pumpkin curry (gaeng fak thong) Make the most of seasonal pumpkins or butternut squash in this Thai curry, flavoured with dill, fish sauce and homemade red and green chilli paste. Pumpkin gingerbread milk Make the most of canned pumpkin in this warming winter drink, perfect for sipping alongside a meditation or mindfulness session. Pumpkin pie The best pumpkin pie. Designed to impress, this rich creamy pud uses bought pastry, making it easy but still a special bake. Maple cream goes on the side. Bake one of our sweet tart recipes for your next gathering. Pumpkin risotto This hearty, warming risotto sees chunks of pumpkin roasted with mace and garlic until golden and caramelised, before being stirred through silky risotto and finished with crispy sage. Pumpkin spice latte Follow expert barista Celeste Wong's step-by-step guide to making the perfect version of this comforting, autumnal coffee. Check out more autumn coffee ideas including a cinnamon toast crunch coffee... Pumpkin falafels These falafels are fun to share, adaptable, vegan and gluten-free. Serve with a cashew 'tahini' sauce and shredded red cabbage salad for a feast. This recipe comes from London's Honey & Co restaurant. Pumpkin cake Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this seasonal pumpkin cake is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping. Perfect for a Halloween treat or Bonfire Night slice. Pumpkin curry Make the most of pumpkin season with this easy, warming one-pot. Discover more vegetarian curry recipes, from aubergine dhansak to paneer tikka masala. Pumpkin gnudi Straight from The Baring pub kitchen, this recipe for pumpkin and ricotta dumplings with crisp radicchio and tangy buttermilk sauce is an impressive vegetarian main. Pumpkin pesto tart Use chilli pesto to add a lovely warming kick to this pumpkin, pine nut and chilli pesto tart. It's great served warm with rocket salad and can easily be made ahead. Spiced pumpkin tart In this pumpkin tart, the filling is infused with warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and topped with grated roast hazelnuts – it’s a perfect winter dessert. Prawn and pumpkin curry This impressive prawn and pumpkin curry may look complicated, but once you have all the ingredients prepped it’s quite quick to make. Serve with steamed basmati rice and top the curry with crisp fried shallots and fried curry leaves, or fresh coriander. Try more of our top curry recipes here... Pumpkin muffins Make your own pumpkin purée to combine with warming autumnal spices for these seasonal pumpkin muffins. Top with cream cheese frosting for a stunning finish. Vegan pumpkin pie Ready-made pastry and a tin of pumpkin purée make this plant-based pie very easy to whip up. It's a sweet, spiced treat that's perfect for autumn. See more vegan dessert recipes. Gnocchi with squash, amaretti and rocket Amaretti may seem like a strange addition to a savoury dish, but in this recipe for gnocchi with squash (you can also use pumpkin), amaretti and rocket, the subtle, sweet crunch really works. It's vegetarian and ready in just 30 minutes - perfect for a midweek meal. Roast pumpkin salad Check out this roast pumpkin and chickpea vegetarian salad. This super easy gluten free recipe makes an ideal midweek meal for the family. Plus, it's low in calories, too. Check out our vegetarian salad recipes here... Pumpkin iced ring doughnuts Baked not fried, these pumpkin spiced doughnuts with salted maple glaze not only look stunning but are easy to make, too. You’ll need 6-hole doughnut tins for these. We used Wilton from amazon.co.uk. Sri Lankan pumpkin fry with coconut Serve this spice-filled pumpkin fry with coconut as a side dish to any Sri Lankan-style feast. The recipe uses butternut squash but you can easily substitute with pumpkin. Rich with flavour, it is also vegan and gluten-free. Kale, pumpkin and bacon stew Sometimes comfort food comes with a high calorie count. Not this delicious pumpkin, bacon and kale pot which comes in at less than 250 calories but feels like a lot more. Serve with crunchy, buttered sourdough toast for a midweek treat. Kale salad with roasted pumpkin, pomegranate molasses and almonds You can use either a pumpkin or butternut squash in this veggie salad. It's easy, ready in 35 minutes and, best of all, under 300 calories. With rich pomegranate molasses, sweet squash and crunchy almonds, it's so packed full of flavour that you'll forget you're being virtuous. Roast pumpkin and fennel with mushrooms This warming veggie recipe is ideal to serve on a wintery Sunday. Roast pumpkin and fennel together then add in buttery fried mushrooms and a drizzle of rich mustard and tarragon cream. This dish could work as a vegetarian main, or a side dish with roast beef or lamb. Japanese mushroom, chestnut and pumpkin pilaf If you can get hold of fresh shitake mushrooms this dish is on the table in just 20 minutes, perfect for mid-week! Alternatively you can use vac-packed ones: Merchant Gourmet can be found in most supermarkets. Pumpkin seed recipes Butternut squash soup Spice up your butternut squash soup with crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds and a crumble of feta cheese thrown in for good measure! Pumpkin seed butter on rye This makes the perfect vegan toast topper for breakfast. Serve with apple and chia seeds for an energy boosting brekkie. Add date nectar (available from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose) for sweetness, or leave out for savoury toast toppings. Burrata with savoury granola Ever thought of baking a batch of savoury granola? Check out this super simple spiced recipe with cumin seeds, smoked paprika and crunchy pumpkin seeds. We've served our's with creamy burrata - perfect for an easy but flavoursome starter recipe. Try our impressive starter recipes here... Sweet potato and miso mash Sweet potato just got sweeter with this clever addition of miso seasoning and pumpkin seeds. It's easy to make, vegetarian and the perfect side dish to complete your meal. Banana and pumpkin seed muffins Add some crunch to your morning muffin with our best ever banana and pumpkin seed muffin recipe. Packed with energy they are the perfect way to start the day. Bake a batch of muffins with our ideas here... Granola clusters with yogurt drizzle Check out this recipe for our super-quick and easy granola clusters. These make for a great mid-morning or energy-boosting snack. Overnight oats This healthy, no-fuss breakfast can be prepped just five minutes the night before, ready for you in the morning. Customise with your choice of fruit, nuts, seeds and other toppings. How to roast pumpkin The best way to cook pumpkin is by roasting as it often has a high water content so this helps dry it out a little and concentrate the flavour. Use a large, heavy knife to break the pumpkin down into manageable pieces, scoop out any seeds and use a potato peeler to peel away the skin. Cut into wedges or chunks then toss with a splash of olive oil and lots of seasoning. Spread out on a large non-stick baking tray then cook in a 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 oven until tender. The timing will depend on your pumpkin but it should take around 30-40 minutes. How to toast pumpkin seeds To toast your pumpkin seeds, scoop out of the cavity of the pumpkin into a bowl. Rinse the seeds with water to get rid of any remaining pulp then pat as dry as possible on kitchen paper. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Spread the dried seeds out on a non-stick baking tray. Add a splash of olive oil and a good pinch of sea salt flakes then toss everything together. If you want to add any extra flavourings (chilli flakes, smoked paprika, cumin seeds, garam masala are all good) then sprinkle over at this point and toss. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway, until lightly golden. Cool on the tray then keep in an airtight jar for snacking. What to do with leftover pumpkin Have you carved up the perfect pumpkin design for Halloween? Rather than throwing away the leftovers, you can use any edible parts in a range of savoury dishes, snacks and bakes. Our pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie below involve blitzing up pieces of pumpkin to form a smooth purée, or you can grate them to give an extra moist texture in our pumpkin cake. Whole wedges of pumpkin work well in pumpkin curry and risotto, or you can slice them thinly to make our stunning pumpkin pesto tart Pumpkin seeds can also be put to great use as a topper for soups, muffins and overnight oats.
17 Halloween baking ideas for fright-night treats
Try our best ever Halloween baking recipes for some simple, spooky sweet treats. Make a batch of Halloween blondies or cupcakes, or a scary sponge cake
Looking for Halloween baking ideas? Want the best Halloween cakes and desserts? Try our ideas below, then check out our Halloween recipe ideas, Halloween cocktail recipes and Halloween mocktail recipes. Treat friends and family to our spooky kitchen creations with these inventive Halloween bakes. Make everything from ghoulish ghost cupcakes and mummified cookies to scary skeleton gingerbread men. These simple baking recipes will ensure a Halloween to remember. Halloween baking ideas Halloween cookies Bake these spooky mummy cookies for a simple but striking Halloween treat. Get the whole family involved with decorating – the kids will love them! Halloween cupcakes These spooktacular black velvet ghost cupcakes are so terrifyingly tasty that not even the most high-strung paranormal investigator would argue about keeping them around. Discover more cupcake recipes. Halloween cake This spooky Halloween cake is easy to make, but looks really impressive. It's perfect for a spooky dose of sweetness, or a weekend bake. Skeleton gingerbread men This simple gingerbread biscuit recipe easily makes 30 spooky skeletons, and they’re the ideal Halloween treat for all the kids to enjoy. Halloween blondies This spooky, spidery, shareable Halloween treat – flecked with white chocolate chunks and decorated with melted marshmallows – is just the trick for the season. If you love blondies, try our salted caramel and pear blondies recipe next. Pumpkin cake Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this seasonal special (made with real pumpkin) is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping. Perfect for a grown-up Halloween sweet treat. See more pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin pie Make our easy pumpkin pie with maple cream for a Halloween party dessert. This rich and creamy pud uses shop-bought pastry, making it simple yet impressive. Vegan pumpkin pie Ready-made pastry and a tin of pumpkin purée make this plant-based pie very easy to whip up. It's a sweet, spiced treat that's fit for a grown-up Halloween feast. Oreo Baileys fridge cake Combine Oreos and Baileys in this striking black and white fridge cake – it makes a super easy make-ahead dessert. Pumpkin iced ring doughnuts Baked, not fried, these pumpkin-spiced doughnuts with salted maple glaze not only look stunning but are easy to make, too. You’ll need six-hole doughnut tins for these. Devil's food cake Rich, dark and decadent, this is the chocolate cake to end all. We've given the option of two frostings - a classic chocolate fudge or Swiss meringue buttercream. Whichever you choose, this devilishly delicious bake is sure to be a hit with all Halloween party goers. Vegan fudge Make an inclusive treat to share this Halloween with our vegan fudge. Perfect for plant-based dietary preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy a sweet treat this spooky season. Wagon Wheel brownies These artfully decorated brownies are given a 'bloody' red tint from jammy raspberries, whilst shards of biscuit and marshmallow create a excitingly chaotic blend of textures and flavours. You could substitute the wagon wheels with any of biscuit of your choosing. Cranberry tart with cinnamon cream Jewels of winter, these crimson fruits are often simmered with sugar to create jam. Their sweet-sour nature makes them ideal for refreshing, zingy desserts like fools, crumbles and pies. Use them in the filling for this tart to craft a vibrant red dessert, reminiscent of blood – a showstopping finish to your spooky Halloween feast. Salted matcha fudge Not strictly a baking recipe, but we thought this ghoulish green matcha fudge would go down a treat at the end of a Halloween dinner party, or to use as a trick-or-treating snack. It cuts into 60 squares so is perfect for feeding a large crowd. Black velvet cake One for the grown-up ghouls, this decadently dark and rich marble cake is flavoured with Guinness and Prosecco. Like a gently bubbling cauldron, the luxurious soft cheese icing represents the settling bubbles of stout when it's poured. Pumpkin muffins After carving your jack o' lantern, make sure not to waste any pumpkin by transforming it into homemade pumpkin purée and baking these moist pumpkin muffins.
Looking for easy Halloween recipes? Cater for a spooky evening with our Halloween party food ideas, including devilish desserts, mains and treats for kids
Looking for easy Halloween recipes? Check out our Halloween food ideas, Halloween menu suggestions, and then try our best Bonfire Night food. Who said Halloween was just for kids? We've used our imaginations to adapt some of our best recipes to cater for a spooky evening. Have a scroll through our inspirational list of Halloween dinner ideas, Halloween menu ideas, spooky snacks and devilish desserts, but beware... something wickedly delicious this way comes! We have some great Halloween baking recipes for kids, from skeleton gingerbread men to ghost cupcakes and an indulgent mummy cake. Make one of our Halloween desserts, including tarte tatin, bourbon butterscotch toffee apples and caipirinha jelly. We also have Halloween party food ideas and cocktails for adults, such as our bewitching blackberry whisky, blood orange cocktail and electrifying purple rain. Keep your drink topped up with our Halloween cocktail recipes and Halloween mocktail recipes, then serve up more treats with our Halloween baking recipes . Discover spooktacular Halloween recipes collection filled with creepy treats and festive dishes perfect for your Halloween celebration! Halloween food ideas Jump to: Halloween baking ideas Halloween drinks Halloween snacks Halloween dinners Halloween baking ideas Halloween cake This spooky halloween bake is perfect for the whole family. Position the eyes right and it'll seem as if this possessed portion of cake is following you around the room. If you wanted to mix things up a little bit, then the decorations would also work on our salted maple brownies. Halloween cupcakes These spooktacular black velvet ghostly cupcakes are so terrifyingly tasty that not even the most high strung of paranormal investigators would argue about keeping them around... Check out more Halloween baking ideas here. Halloween cookies Bake these fun cookies for Halloween fun. Get the whole family involved with decorating, the kids will love them! Skeleton gingerbread men Check out our skeleton gingerbread men. This simple gingerbread biscuit recipe easily makes 30 spooky skeletons, and they’re the ideal Halloween treat for the kids to enjoy. Halloween blondies This spooky, spidery, shareable Halloween treat – flecked with white chocolate chunks and decorated with melted marshmallows – is just the trick. Devil's food cake Embrace the dark side this Halloween with a slice of devil's food cake: a wickedly rich chocolate treat, topped with velvety frosting. Chocolate and burnt butterscotch layer cake Party guests will swoon over the sight of this deliciously indulgent, grown-up chocolate and burnt butterscotch cake. Classic apple pie Whip up our simple American-style apple pie with a golden, sugar-crusted finish, perfect for Halloween feasts – a delicious way to use up an abundance of seasonal apples this October. Pumpkin cake Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this easy pumpkin cake (made with real pumpkin) is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping. Toffee apples A classic Halloween staples, these candy-coated treats are moreishly crunchy, chewy, sweet and tart. We've dipped ours in chopped nuts and sesame seeds, but you could customise with sprinkles, cinnamon sugar or chocolate drops. Pumpkin muffins After carving your jack o’lantern, don’t let that pumpkin go to waste—turn it into homemade pumpkin purée and bake up these irresistibly moist pumpkin muffins. Caipirinha jelly Buy some plastic spiders to suspend in this alcoholic jelly and you've got yourself an eerie green dessert filled with creepy critters. For an authentic caipirinha flavour, use cachaca, a clear Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane. If you can’t get your hands on any, try white rum instead. Roasted plums with balsamic blueberries Serve these bloody plums in just 20 minutes for a gory-looking dessert idea to serve at Halloween. Chocolate fondant fancies Swap the stripy chocolate icing for the words RIP and you've got rich chocolate cake squares, topped with an indulgent truffle and smothered in double chocolate icing in the shape of caskets – the perfect gothic garnish for Halloween. Spiced banana tarte tatin This deliciously spiced banana tarte tatin recipe comes from the Cinnamon Club. It's easy to make and, without much effort, can look super spooky in the right context. Boost the cinnamony, sweet flavours by serving slices with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. Spiced pumpkin tart This tart’s filling is infused with warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, then topped with grated roasted hazelnuts – a perfect autumnal dessert to enjoy as the chill sets in. Gingerbread bundt cake Guinness and dark chocolate give this bundt cake its eye-catching coal black hue, perfect for Halloween. It’s best to make this in advance, then leave un-iced in an airtight box overnight or for a couple of days; glaze it an hour-or-so before serving. That way the flavours of the cake all get a chance to develop. Churros with hot chocolate sauce Rename these Spanish churros as 'dead man's fingers' for a sweet treat which stays on theme... If you fancy making something even more goulishly good to go with these, our salted caramel chocolate pots would also sweeten up those doughy digits quite nicely. Pumpkin pie Make our easy pumpkin pie with maple cream for a luxurious Halloween pud. This rich and creamy pud uses shop-bought pastry, making it simple yet impressive. Also try our vegan pumpkin pie for a dairy-free, egg-free version. Bourbon butterscotch toffee apples These glistening bourbon butterscotch toffee apples look so enticing, guests won't be able to resist biting into one of these boozy, sweet treats. If you're making these for kids, leave out the alcohol and swap the sticks for something child-friendly. Black grape and wine sorbet This sinfully sophisticated recipe is ideal for All Hallows' Eve. Instead of the sparkling shiraz, you could use a full-bodied red wine or a light, fruity rosé. Black and white Oreo cheesecake This striking black and white cheesecake is a spooky twist on your traditional cheesecake, replacing the usual digestive base with Oreos and adding white chocolate to the filling. Halloween drinks Blackberry whisky Bewitch your dinner guests with a round of this berry-infused whisky. The subtle spiciness of blackberries is a perfect match for whisky. For more recipes, check out our Halloween cocktails. Grasshopper cocktail Minty crème de menthe gives this retro party cocktail a ghoulish green hue, making it an appropriate Halloween themed tipple. Pomegranate negroni Pomegranate juice, dry gin and sweet vermouth come together to create a simple yet refreshing blood-red cocktail – perfect for adding a touch of spooky sophistication to your Halloween gathering. Purple rain This electrifying cocktail – combining blue curaçao with grenadine to create the unusual purple colour – makes a simple but eye-catching drink to serve at your Halloween get-together. Blue lagoon Shake up a round of this eye-catching vodka cocktail – blue curacao gives it a retro and acidic-looking edge. Cherry margarita Craving a margarita but missing triple sec or agave syrup? Try this fruity twist using maraschino cherry liqueur as a substitute. Garnish with cherries to create spooky ‘eyeballs’ rolling along the bottom of your glass for Halloween-appropriate sips. Grenadine Make a bottle of homemade blood-red grenadine using sharp pomegranate juice and floral orange blossom water. Top up your glass of grenadine with sparkling water and ice for a fruity mocktail in a flash. Blood orange Campari cocktail Campari is an Italian herbal liquor most famous for its bitter taste, beautiful red colour, and the role it plays in the classic negroni. This, combined with a slice of blood orange, adds a Halloween-appropriate tinge to this refreshing apéritif. Espresso martini The ultimate coffee cocktail, this recipe blends fresh espresso, vodka and coffee liqueur for a sweet, velvety drink that still packs a punch. Halloween party food ideas Devilled eggs Devilled eggs are a retro party nibble that have recently become trendy. The base stays the same, but you can add different toppings depending on what you fancy. Fried aubergine sticks with sumac and honey Served pipping hot, these easy werewolf claws (aubergine sticks) are designed to impress your housemates and family as a quick Halloween starter, or as part of a serve-yourself spooky table spread. With a minty yogurt dip, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe with sumac and za'atar just needs a drizzle of honey to finish it off. Spicy cheese and pickle wraps with crunchy pickle dip Juicy pickles wrapped in a crispy, cheesy coating, what's not to love? For a spooky twist, we've used spiced cheese slices for an added kick, but you can opt for plain cheddar or any of your favourite pre-sliced cheeses. Lay the wrapped pickles out in a fan to create the eerie illusion of gloved witches’ fingers. Cheese straws These cheesey wiggly worms (cheese straws) are easy to make – use ready-made puff pastry and they'll be on the table in just over half an hour. Serve them up with a range of dips and they're sure to be gone in no time. Glazed cocktail sausages Cocktail sausages are classic party food and, here, they’re taken up a notch or two with a glaze of black cardamom, fennel, cumin and honey. Quail eggs with dukkah These dragon's eggs (quails' eggs) are often served as a street snack in Egypt with a little paper cone of dukkah spice blend for dipping. Serve with pickled chillies (available in Middle Eastern shops and some supermarkets), olives and flatbread as a relaxed nibble with drinks. Corn ribs These gnarly, curled 'devil's claws' are the perfect finger food (pardon the pun) for a Halloween party. Salted kombu and paprika seasoning gives them a wonderfully umami, smoky flavour whilst chilli provides a kick. Serve with a generous squeeze of lime juice. Bacon-wrapped dates with quince marmalade Make your Halloween canapés a bit of fun. This bacon-wrapped eyeballs (aka dates) with quince marmalade makes for a great and ghoulish snack. They look really impressive but are actually very easy to make. Halloween dinners Spaghetti and three-cheese pie Everyone will love this worm-riddled pie – a crisp, crunchy crust with an oozing, melting middle. The perfect way to entertain the kids on Halloween. Wild boar sausage toad in the hole This is a simple twist on a classic – swapping out everyday pork bangers for something a little more adventurous for a devilishly delightful Halloween dinner. Pumpkin risotto This hearty, warming risotto sees chunks of pumpkin roasted with mace and garlic until golden and caramelised, before being stirred through silky risotto and finished with crispy sage Melting-middle baked onions These vegetarian, melting-middle baked onions look like brains, plus they're really easy to make. Use cheddar, or mix with gruyère for a richer filling. Beef shin macaroni and cheese An amputated shin (beef shin) is cooked in red wine and stock until meltingly tender, then macaroni and cheese is added and baked until golden and bubbly. This gruesome but epic slow-cooked dish comes from the legendary London haunted steak house, Hawksmoor. Pumpkin soup Serve this creamy pumpkin soup in big mugs with fingers of melty blue cheese and sage toasties for dipping. It's perfect for a comforting Halloween starter. Bibo’s tagliarini nero with squid, chilli, tomato and garlic As it's Halloween, it's only right to make your pasta as black as night with this spicy seafood dish. Melting cheese and onion pie Cut into this crispy puff pastry case to unveil a bubbling caudron of cheese and melting onions within. Perfect for warming up before you embark on an evening of trick-or-treating. Pici cacio e pepe Nothing says Halloween food like a plate of worms, made even better with butter and cheese... This classic Tuscan pasta recipe for pici cacio e pepe comes from Borough Market's Padella.
Mix up a creepy Halloween cocktail with our best ever recipes. Celebrate the spooky season with a bloody blackberry whisky, blood orange campari cocktails or an electric purple rain
Looking for the best Halloween cocktail recipes? Want the best Halloween recipe ideas? Impress your guests and show some dramatic flair with these ghoulish yet delicious concoctions, then check out our main Halloween recipes, Halloween baking ideas and best Halloween mocktails. We've also got plenty of pumpkin recipes that are perfect for Halloween. Check out our picks of the best cocktail shakers to buy for mixing up your cocktails in style. Pair your Halloween recipes with festive drinks and creepy cocktails. Best Halloween cocktail recipes Blackberry whisky Blackberries give this homemade whisky cocktail a vampiric-look, perfect for a Halloween party. You could even use your spooky spirit in one of our whisky cocktails. Zombie cocktail Kick off your Halloween party with this classic tiki cocktail. Composed of a blend of three types of rum, fruit juices, anise liqueur, grenadine and Angostura bitters, it really packs a punch! Love rum? See more of our rum cocktails. Paper plane cocktail This four-ingredient bourbon cocktail is bold, bittersweet and effortlessly stylish. Aperol and amaro add a striking red hue and a gently complex edge, perfect for slow sipping. Serve in small bottles or glass vials for a clever Halloween twist — think chic poison with a grown-up kick. Purple rain This electrifying cocktail – combining blue curaçao with grenadine to create the unusual purple colour – makes a simple but eye-catching drink to serve at your Halloween get-together. Grasshopper cocktail Minty crème de menthe gives this grasshopper cocktail a ghoulish teal hue, making it an appropriate tipple to serve at Halloween. Rob roy A smoky spin on the Manhattan, the Rob Roy swaps bourbon for Scotch whisky, bringing a drier finish and subtle peatiness. Served with a single maraschino cherry sinking at the bottom, it hints at something slightly sinister — like an eyeball in a glass. Blue lagoon Shake up a round of this eye-catching vodka cocktail – blue curacao gives it a retro and acidic-looking edge. Black velvet Don’t be fooled by the unlikely pairing — the Black Velvet blends rich stout with crisp Champagne for a surprisingly smooth and elegant serve. Inky and dramatic, it wouldn’t look out of place in a witch’s cauldron, making it a fitting choice for a Halloween toast. Tomatini This vodka and tomato cocktail is a lighter take on the sometimes-soupy bloody mary. The tomatini is a fresh, zingy pick-me-up with a delicious savoury note that will (given its blood-red hue) bring a spooky note to a Halloween evening. Largartija This cocktail can be prepped ahead — just mix all the ingredients (minus the ice) and chill until ready to serve. Scale up the quantities depending on your guest list for a Halloween-ready punch bowl that’s as easy to pour as it is to enjoy. Gingerbread espresso martini cocktail Dark and indulgent, these gingerbread espresso martini cocktails make the perfect drinks to serve at a supernatural soirée. Tequila Mockingbird If the presence of tequila doesn't scare your guests enough, the 'suspicious' dark red colour of this prep-ahead cocktail dessert from Sixtyone in Marylebone is sure to unnerve them. Buy dried hibiscus flowers at health food shops or online here. Negroni Mix up a vibrant 'blood orange' cocktail using a mix of Campari, gin and Martini Rosso. This bitter Italian cocktail is perfect for a relaxed grown-up gathering. White Lady cocktail Gin drinkers will love this elegant White Lady cocktail, where bitter orange Cointreau and fresh lemon juice provide a light, zesty kick. Blood orange Campari cocktails Campari is an Italian herbal liqueur famous for its bitter taste, beautiful red colour, and the role it plays in the classic negroni. This, combined with a slice of blood orange, adds a Halloween-appropriate tinge to this refreshing apéritif. Black russian Serve this coffee cocktail in an old fashioned glass with ice for a sinister-looking, post-dinner drink with a caffeine kick. Blueberry margarita Whizzed up blueberries help create a blood-like hue in this fruity take on a classic margarita cocktail.
Making fudge vegan is easier than you might think, and just as delicious as the traditional version. Decorate with some pretty ribbon for gifting – you can make it ahead as it will keep in the fridge for up to a month
Make this vegan fudge, then check out our recipes for vegan meringues, vegan cupcakes, vegan cheesecake and more vegan baking ideas. How to make vegan fudge… step-by-step video View Green Video on the source website Vegan fudge recipe
This batch of brownies uses a whole packet of Oreos – they're crumbled up inside and baked on top – as well as indulgent dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder for an extra chocolatey finish
Try our Oreo brownies recipe then check out our Oreo cake, Oreo mug cake, Oreo cheesecake and more fun baking recipes. How to make Oreo brownies… step-by-step video View Green Video on the source website Oreo brownies recipe
Make the most of pumpkin season with this easy, warming one-pot
Try our recipe for pumpkin curry then try our pumpkin soup, miyan taushe (Nigerian pumpkin stew), and prawn and pumpkin curry. Now try more pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin curry recipe
Looking for indoor activities for cooler days? Celebrate the season with our favourite kitchen projects, like making your own sloe gin and cider, urban foraging and baking sourdough
Looking for autumn activities? As the days get shorter, keep yourself entertained with relaxing projects such as cider-making, urban foraging and one-pot cooking. Also, check out our best autumn recipes, cakes, cocktails and salads for more seasonal inspiration. For more autumn inspiration, see our best autumn home decor ideas, best autumn travel breaks for food lovers and our guide to how to make the most of autumn ingredients. Top 10 autumn kitchen activities 1. Become an urban forager From hedgerows and woodlands to fields and parks, there are plenty of outdoor spaces that are great for foraging in the autumn – whether that's discovering fat, juicy blackberries to bright-red rosehips, lustrous clusters of elderberries or inky-blue sloes. Put your foraged bounty to good use with one of our crumble recipes or autumnal cakes – you'll love our pretty blackberry cake, blackberry brownies and warming damson cobbler. For more guidance on foraging, check out our guide to picking autumn berries. 2. Make pies (and plenty of custard) Autumn marks a wonderful opportunity to learn a new skill, and what skill is more seasonally appropriate than pie-making? Spend a free Sunday turning a glut of seasonal fruit into a warm, comforting bake. Our impressive pear patchwork pie cuts corners with ready-made shortcrust pastry and is packed with vibrant rhubarb and seasonal pear, while our classic apple pie, served with a jug of homemade custard, is heavenly. 3. Create comfort with our one-pots Our hearty one-pot recipes will keep you full throughout autumn, while reducing food waste and energy, too. We think this 'nduja pepperonata stew is one-pan perfection: sweet slow-cooked peppers are paired with spicy sausage and creamy mozzarella (served with crusty bread to mop up the sauce). If you're cooking for two, or want to keep leftovers, our sausage and bean casserole is ready in an hour and comes packed with pork sausages, smoked bacon and homemade baked beans. For an effortless twist on a classic, try our spicy meatball pan lasagne with clever shortcuts. For veggies and vegans, try our butternut squash and chickpea curry and West African peanut stew with sweet potato – both are easy to make, hearty and flavoursome. 4. Bake the perfect sourdough Autumn is the perfect time to brush up on your sourdough baking skills – the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home is unbeatable. If you're a sourdough novice, learn how to create your own sourdough starter (no yeast needed), then how to craft a sourdough loaf with our step-by-step sourdough guide, using just flour and water. If you're left with any excess sourdough starter, use it to make our sourdough cookies or sourdough brownies. Both make a fitting autumnal pick-me-up alongside freshly brewed coffee. 5. Become a coffee expert An important date in the diary for coffee lovers, autumn heralds the arrival of the iconic pumpkin spiced latte. Cut costs by getting your hands on a flavoured pumpkin spice syrup and brewing from the comfort of your own kitchen, then pour into a reusable coffee cup for long autumn walks. If a 'PSL' isn't your thing, turn your hand to making a fragrant chai latte, or if you're looking to get out of the house, visit the best London coffee shops as recommended by olive's coffee expert Celeste Wong. 6. Showcase your jam-making skills Making jam is deceptively easy, plus it's a brilliant way to use up any autumnal fruits you may have. Damsons are ready to harvest from August and make wonderful jam with a sweet-tart flavour, perfect for slathering on toast. You can also pick blackberries in September and October. They grow in hedgerows all over the UK and many are free to pick, so find them while they're in season and preserve them in our blackberry jam or steep them in blackberry gin. Happy with the finished product? Put it to good use in our recipes using jam, such as jam tarts and posh jammie dodgers. They make nifty gifts, too, simply decorate with rustic ribbons and tags. 7. Finesse your vegan baking skills Autumn marks a great time to put your vegan baking skills to the test with a leisurely weekend kitchen project: this sweet, spiced vegan pumpkin pie encapsulates the season and uses pumpkin purée to make things easier. Our vegan apple crumble, flavoured with warming cinnamon, also sings autumn: all you need to do is swap butter for melted coconut oil. If you want to flaunt your baking skills, make our vegan cinnamon rolls from scratch, then serve with vegan hot chocolate. For more plant-based twists, try our vegan sticky toffee pudding, vegan scones and vegan banana bread. 8. Make your own cider Love cider but never tried making it yourself? Carve out some time to learn how to home-brew with our sister brand, Good Food's guide on making your own cider, featuring all the steps from selecting your apples to fermentation and bottling. Becoming the expert? Why not invite friends over and host an evening pairing cider with a selection of British cheeses? Or fix a round of this warming mulled cider that combines dry cider with spices and golden rum. 9. Make your own sloe gin Found yourself with a glut of sloes from your foraging adventures? Making a batch of homemade sloe gin is easier than you might think, plus it's a great way to get yourself in the mood for autumn. Read our guide on how to make sloe gin and enjoy this fruity alcoholic drink curled up indoors, or give it away as a gift. You could even take your love of sloe one step further with our seasonal sloe gin cake, sloe gin cheese and sloe gin and plum crumble. Don't have time to make your own but fancy a tipple? We have a review of the best sloe gin available to buy. 10. Rustle up an autumnal cocktail Sheltering from rainy weather? Change into your comfiest loungewear and treat yourself to a warming autumnal cocktail as the night draws in. Regarded as the negroni's autumnal cousin, this boulevardier swaps gin for bourbon, adding a rich, rounded edge, while a sweet and smoky bourbon campfire cocktail is ideal for Bonfire Night. Our fresh and fruity bramble cocktail showcases autumnal produce and is easy to serve at parties, while bourbon and apples make a winning pairing in our delicious autumn aperitif. Fancy taking your mixology skills to the next level? Kit out your home bar with the best cocktail accessories, then check our favourite cocktail glasses and whisky glasses.
As the nights draw in, sip on these warming cocktails that make the most of autumnal produce and occasions
Our seasonal collection includes all sorts of sultry sippers. For an autumn rum cocktail with a twist, try our rum negroni for a softer take on the classic cocktail. Those looking for an autumn gin cocktail should try our fresh and fruity bramble cocktail – perfect for parties. Elsewhere, we've got everything from a spiced sidecar to a zesty orange hot chocolate for you to try. Discover our Halloween recipes for spooky treats and festive drinks to make your celebrations extra special. Kit out your home bar with the best cocktail accessories and our picks of the best cocktail shakers, then check out our favourite cocktail glasses and whisky glasses. For more autumnal inspiration, see our best autumn home decor ideas, best autumn travel breaks for food lovers and our guide to how to make the most of autumn ingredients. If you're after hearty, warming dishes to match the season, explore our halloween cocktails alongside our of autumn recipes for comforting meals, bakes, and seasonal treats. 16 autumn cocktail recipes Fig and grapefruit cocktail Crème de figue liquor adds a delicately spiced flavour to this celebratory cocktail, which also comes laced with grapefruit gin and champagne. Garnish with fresh figs, perfectly in season in autumn. Añejo tequila old fashioned This twist on an old fashioned swaps whisky for tequila. It works beautifully with any barrel-aged spirit – try doing the same with dark rum or cognac. Spiced rum manhattan Using spiced rum instead of whisky in a manhattan adds a warming richness and smoothness to this classic cocktail. Boulevardier Think of the boulevardier as the negroni getting an autumnal makeover, where using bourbon instead of gin adds a rich, rounded edge to the drink. See more bourbon cocktail recipes. Bramble cocktail Make autumnal blackberries – fresh and in liqueur form – the hero ingredient in this fruity, zesty cocktail. Campfire cocktail The smells and tastes of an autumn bonfire inspired this evocative cocktail, which gets sweet and smoky notes from marshmallow syrup and peaty Lagavulin. Fig bellini If a peach bellini is your idea of summer in a champagne flute, this will be the taste of autumn – it's made with blended figs and hazelnut liqueur. Bourbon and apple fizz Bourbon and apples are a winning pairing in this easy-drinking whisky cocktail that makes for a delicious autumn aperitif. Rum negroni Swap gin for rum in this softer take on a negroni – decant into a hip flask for sipping on autumn walks. We've got lots more rum cocktail recipes to try. Blackberry whisky This whisky is a great way of using up foraged blackberries. Infuse an affordable blended scotch with the fruit and toasted spices for a warming seasonal liqueur. Beetroot mezcalita Pickled brine is the secret ingredient in this vibrant beetroot mezcalita, perfect for kicking off the weekend. It wouldn't be complete with the salt rim, made by mixing Tajín seasoning with sugar. Espresso martini Cooler evenings need a cocktail with a kick! This classic espresso martini, made with fresh espresso and vodka, will perk you up in no time. If you love an espresso martini, check out our espresso martini cheesecake recipe. Orange hot chocolate This rich and creamy drink is lifted by a dash of zingy citrus. You can also add a tot of spiced rum for extra boozy indulgence. For vegans, try our vegan hot chocolate recipe. Spiced sidecar We love adding spices to our autumn food and drink – make your own spice-infused brandy for this warming-cold weather cocktail. Beetroot, apple and ginger juice Use the seasonal beetroot and apples in your veg box to make this refreshing and rejuvenating juice. See more juice recipes. Manhattan cocktail Stronger, spirit-forward cocktails are perfect for sipping slowly. Savour this classic drink, made with bourbon or rye whisky, on chilly evenings in front of the fire.
Make your own pumpkin purée to combine with warming autumnal spices for these seasonal pumpkin muffins. Top with cream cheese frosting for a stunning finish
Try our recipe for pumpkin muffins, then try our pumpkin cake, spiced pumpkin tart and pumpkin pie. Now try more pumpkin recipes. Looking for more Halloween baking ideas? Pumpkin muffins: cook's tips You can buy ready-mixed pumpkin spice for convenience if you like – if you do, just substitute two generous teaspoons for the spices here Pumpkin muffins recipe
Gingernuts add a warming, spicy note but you could use digestives or more Biscoff biscuits. Combine with mini marshmallows and white chocolate for a super sweet treat
Try our recipe for Biscoff rocky road, then try our Biscoff banoffee pie, Biscoff cake, Biscoff ice cream, Biscoff blondies and Biscoff cupcakes and our other Biscoff recipes. How to make Biscoff rocky road... step-by-step video View Green Video on the source website Biscoff rocky road recipe
Cynar, a bitter herbal liqueur made from artichoke leaves, joins Campari in Morchella's twist on the classic Italian cocktail. Garnish with a wedge of blood orange to serve
Try this recipe for Morchella's house negroni with Cynar, then try our Campari spritz, IPA and Campari shandy and harvey wallbanger. Now try more cocktails with Campari. Morchella house negroni with Cynar
Pomegranate juice, dry gin and sweet vermouth create a simple and refreshing pre-dinner drink for two. Garnish with a slice of blood orange
Try this pomegranate negroni recipe, then discover our limoncello negroni, negroni sbagliato and negroni highball. Now try more easy cocktails. Pomegranate negroni recipe
Chocolate bark with dates, pistachios and almonds
Pop into gift bags for a quick homemade gift, or keep it all to yourself... this fancy dark chocolate bark can be made in just 20 minutes, plus a little chilling time
Try our chocolate bark with dates, pistachios and almonds, then check out our blonde chocolate Christmas bark, frozen yogurt bark, chocolate concrete, classic biscotti and also discover more pistachio recipes and chocolate dessert recipes. How to make chocolate bark... step-by-step video View Green Video on the source website Chocolate bark with dates, pistachios and almonds
Dotted with nuts and flavoured with maple syrup, this easy pumpkin cake (made with real pumpkin) is finished with a zesty soft cheese topping
Make this impressive pumpkin cake, then check out our pumpkin pie, vegan pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin soup and more pumpkin recipes. The un-iced sponge cake can be frozen. Looking for more Halloween baking ideas? Try our Halloween cake, Halloween biscuits, Halloween cupcakes, Halloween cocktails, toffee apples and plenty more Halloween recipes.
Crunchy, chewy, sweet and tart, toffee apples are a classic autumnal treat often eaten at Halloween – but we think they're too good to have just once a year
Make these moreish toffee apples, then check out our bourbon butterscotch toffee apples, toffee apple cake and toffee apple cheesecake. Looking for Halloween baking ideas? Use up your pumpkin leftovers in a classic pumpkin pie or pumpkin cake. Kids will also love these cute Halloween cupcakes, Halloween cake and Halloween cookies.
Make these classic American fairground snacks for parties, and serve with your favourite condiments
Make these corn dogs, then check out our BBQ chilli chicken wings, potato wedges, hot dogs and more party food recipes. How to make the perfect corn dogs: cook's tips You can use vegetarian frankfurters or hot dogs if you prefer to make this vegetarian. Frankfurters are already cooked, so they'll just need to be warmed through, meaning the frying time will be shorter. How to store corn dogs: Best eaten on the day they’re made. How to serve corn dogs: Serve with your favourite condiment – keep it classic with mustard and ketchup, or get creative with tamarind chutney, tomato relish or a soured cream and onion dip.
Make these luxurious squares of chocolate fudge for the perfect foodie gift or treat
Try our chocolate fudge recipe then check out all our fudge recipes including our classic fudge, salted caramel fudge, Biscoff fudge and vegan fudge. How to make the perfect chocolate fudge: cook's tips This fudge is easy to make although you will need a sugar thermometer to get the right texture. Add a pinch of flaky sea salt at the end for a pretty finish. How to store chocolate fudge: This is best stored at room temp for upto 3 weeks wrapped in an airtight container. Avoid the fridge which will make it crumbly. Chocolate fudge recipe
Spicy cheese and pickle wraps with crunchy pickle dip
Juicy pickles are wrapped in a crispy, cheesy coating. For a twist we’ve used spiced cheese slices for an added kick but you can go for plain cheddar or any other pre-sliced fave
Make these spicy cheese and pickle wraps then check out our cheese straws, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks with spicy dipping sauce and more party food recipes.
Craving a margarita but you don’t have triple sec or agave syrup? Try this fruity twist which uses maraschino cherry liqueur as a substitute
Try this cherry margarita then check out our classic margarita, blueberry margarita and more tequila cocktails.
An irresistibly crunchy, umami-packed dish from sustainable dining restaurant Fallow, these corn ribs make for a great starter or snack to serve with drinks
Recreate these corn ribs, then check out these cauliflower fritters, sweetcorn soup, crispy okra and more vegetarian starter recipes. Corn ribs recipe
As it cuts into 60 squares, this recipe for salted matcha fudge is perfect for gifting or feeding a large crowd
Try this salted matcha fudge, then check out our salted caramel fudge, Biscoff fudge and more homemade food gifts. Check out our trend spotlight on matcha for more matcha ideas and the best matcha spots in London.
Cocktail sausages are classic party food, and here they’re taken up a notch or two with a glaze of black cardamom, fennel, cumin and honey
Make these glazed cocktail sausages, then check out our easy sausage rolls, maple-glazed sausage blinis, lamb sausage rolls and more party food recipes. Smoky black cardamom is a gutsier version than the more familiar green ones. Here the spice ups the ante in this classic Christmas party dish. Find it easily online or in some supermarkets, either in 30-50g pots or larger bags.
This tart's filling is infused with warming cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and topped with grated roast hazelnuts to make the perfect autumnal dessert
Recreate this autumnal spiced pumpkin tart, then check out our pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, pumpkin muffins and more pumpkin recipes.
Edd Kimber shares his expert tips for creating a deep, dark chocolate cake. Which glorious frosting will you choose – classic fudge or Swiss meringue?
Try our devil's food cake recipe, then check out our chocolate fudge cake, easy chocolate cake, black velvet cake and Edd's Malteser cake. Now try more Edd Kimber recipes. Baker's tips: how to make the best devil's food cake Recipe author and expert baker Edd Kimber says, 'It’s hard to quantify what exactly makes a devil’s food cake different to any other chocolate cake, but to my mind the devilish variety is moist, deep and rich in colour, and is always made with some form of acidic ingredient (buttermilk, yogurt, soured cream), which helps with moistness and overall flavour, as acidity can help brighten and intensify chocolate notes. My version doesn’t stray too far from the classic, but it does add rye flour, which contributes to the cake’s overall rich flavour. When it comes to the frosting, there are two options for different skill levels – a classic fudge frosting, and a slightly more complicated Swiss meringue buttercream.' Devil's food cake recipe