Save the candy for dessert: Kid-friendly Halloween recipes

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)

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 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)

AN APPLE A DAY: Start out Halloween day right with a filling apple-oatmeal muffin for breakfast. Click here for the recipe.

RELATED:

Tricks for the kids, El Dia de Los Muertos treats for you

Recipes from the L.A. Times’ Test Kitchen at latimes.com/recipes

Back to L.A. Times Food  (Jay L. Clendenin / 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)

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)