13 kid-friendly Halloween recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

Caramel apples are easier to make than you think. This recipe simplifies things by using caramel candies. And have the kids help unwrap the candies and dip the apples. Click here for the recipe.  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

These rich butter cupcakes are practically screaming for festive decorations! Click here for the recipe.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

This recipe for salty and sweet caramel corn can be served in a big bowl or packaged in treat bags for tasty party favors. Click here for the recipe.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Spiced with a touch of cinnamon, these homemade marshmallows can be cut into stars, ghosts, skulls or any other spooky shapes you conjure up. Click here for the recipe.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Rich hot chocolate, or champurrado, is lightly spiced with fragrant cinnamon and thickened with masa. Click here for the recipe.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Halloween is not complete without a sugary finish. This traditional Dia de los Muertos cake is partially shaped like bones and a skull. Rich and buttery, the flavor is to die for. Click here for the recipe.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Bake up these dense chocolate little cakes, then have the little ones help with spooky decorations! Click here for the recipe.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Whip up a caldron -- er, pot -- of this rich and creamy hot fudge sauce to top ice cream, cakes or other goodies. Might want to make a double batch -- you’d be amazed how quickly it magically disappears. Click here for the recipe.  (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Sugar cookies are the perfect blank slate for cookie cutters, stamps and food coloring. Fall shapes or orange food coloring will get cookies ready for a Halloween party. Click here for the recipe.  (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)

These peanut butter cookie cups seem trickier than they really are. They use only two ingredients (perfect for little chefs): cookie dough and peanut butter cups. Click here for the recipe.  (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)

Looking for something a little more calorie-conscious? Let’s revisit flavored popcorn. You’ll find that these recipes for chile-flavored Witch’s Blend and rosemary-garlic Ghostly Gobbles make for quick, healthy Halloween snacks. Click here for the recipes.  (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times)