Halloween takes on an evolution after childhood. Trick-or-treating turns to late night parties. Costume parties feature fewer superheroes and more politicians. If you’re celebrating and want some elevated snacks to boost the eerie factor at your spooky shindig, here are a few ideas.

Ghoulish Appetizers
Finger food, anyone? You can have a lot of food decking out food that’s delicious yet creepy. Try some carrot fingers in hummus dip, stuffed pepper “jack-o-lanterns,” or charcuterie eyeballs made of mozzarella, olives, and prosciutto. 

Eerie Entrées
First step: mood lighting. Opt for low light or even candles to ensure that your guests are as in-the-dark as possible. Then, have fun with simple meals that take on curious textures when enjoyed after midnight. Cold spaghetti makes for classic brains… and is that a steak, or a human heart?

Spooky Spiced Drinks
Play around with cocktails to give them a frightening appeal. Some plastic vampire teeth and red food coloring can bloody up your martinis, and a bit of dry ice in your cauldron punch will create an irresistible fog. Or, rim your rum cocktails with pumpkin spice. Feeling lazy? Just go with the classic Bloody Mary – it’s scary enough as-is!

Evil Desserts
After all that, give your guests a break with some nice, run-of-the-mill cookies in fun halloween shapes like pumpkins and ghosts. But wait… are these shortbreads made from poisoned apples? Muahahahahaha!