I come to you with these pictures and recipes not knowing whether this combination of treats is awesome or terrifying. Blood and Bones.
Before we get down to the treats, can I share something with you? I’m not a big fan of Halloween. Honestly, it scares me a bit. The whole night seems unpredictable and slightly unstable to me, even as an adult. It’s the costumes. See, there are two categories of Halloween costumes that just chill me to the bone.
One one hand, there are the girls that use Halloween as an excuse to wear as little clothes as possible. Are you one of these girls? Are you dressing up as a ‘sexy boy scout’ this Halloween? What on earth is a sexy boy scout?? I’m scared. I also don’t like the medical and other uniformed professions you make sexy for Halloween. I don’t agree, and frankly, I’m frightened.
There’s also the teenage boys that dress up as murderers with bloody plastic knives and masks. Teenage boys dressed as murders in the darkness of a Halloween night? Is it just me being old, or do these kids seem totally out of control? They seem waaaay too old to be dressing up and run the neighborhood with a pillow case scooping up candy from everyone they can. Not ok. Just not ok.
Wow! Halloween makes me sound like a grumpy old lady.
To celebrate my inner old lady and to embrace any hidden desires to be a hussy for Halloween, I’m going to be Blanche from the Golden Girls. It’s going to be a perfectly ridiculous Halloween getup.
What are you going to be for Halloween?
With all that costume talk out of the way, we need to talk Halloween treats. For the holiday I made Martha Stewart inspired bone shaped meringues and deep red hot chocolate. Blood and bones!
The meringues are perfectly light- like eating lightly crisped clouds. The hot chocolate, while mildly disturbing, if beautifully warm and smooth drinkable chocolate. Nothing beats it.
Sweet Bones
Martha Stewart
- 6 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Put egg whites and sugar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water; whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and mixture feels warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.
- Return bowl to mixer, and fit mixer with the whisk attachment.Beat on high speed until very stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes.
- Transfer meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip, such as a Wilton #1A. Pipe bone shapes, each 5 to 6 inches long, onto two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Pipe by making one long (not as curvy) S shape, followed by another mirrored S shape atop the first. The pictures below should help. Bake until crisp throughout, about 1 hour. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons red gel-paste food coloring
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha this looks great. They really look like blood and bones. A nice Halloween idea. i DON T LIKE hALLOWEN EITHER jUST THE TEREATS :)
I love the blood and bones! We don’t celebrate Halloween here in Norway (or well, my generation doesn’t – the current generation of kids and their parents do, but I don’t have kids yet), but my brother’s birthday is on Halloween, so I will venture to make this as a Halloweeny birthday treat. :)
Great! We don´t celebrate halloween here in Portugal, but I think it´s a pitty…I have kids and they want to dress up, and all that stuff…lovely bones…
You’re not the only “grumpy old lady” about Halloween. To avoid most of the weirdness – we had out candy only in the early evening and then we take the kiddos to houses of friends we know as early as we can. All is done before 7:30 – earlier if we possibly can. Doesn’t stave of all the wierdness, but a fair share so far.
I’ll have to share the bones recipe. I have a friend who’ll be “batty” about them.
I will be running as Richard Simmons in the 5k Boo Bash Dash. I’ll just copy ‘n paste what it benefits since I can’t attempt to spell it.
This race benefits the AT Children’s Project. You can learn more about AT at http://www.communityatcp.org
I love those bones!
I love the blood and bones! That’s terrific! I’m not a fan of Halloween either. Apparently in a small town a lot of adults go trick or treating too. Like 30 somethings. It’s very frightening.
I plan to graciously hand out candy dressed as a Midwestern Housewife. :)
If I see a sexy boy scout come to my door, I might wet my pants. I’m with you; I can channel my grumpy old lady with the best of them. Halloween is creepy. Make no bones (HA) about it. And not gonna lie – I have no idea what that saying actually means. Anyway, I was going to make treats for the kids instead of buying a bag of Twizzlers or whatever, but my husband thinks I might come across as the cheap creepy old (even though I’m 26) lady who pawns off old groceries to unsuspecting children just wanting a sugar jolt. Sad.
I go back and forth on the whole Halloween thing. I scare easily but I love to bake/cook Halloween inspired things (like your blood and bones). You know Halloween is an excuse for your inner slut to come out right? Maybe if I had the body I would too? HAHA. But I don’t so I am not sure what I am going to be at our Halloween party this year. Every year the costumes get sluttier and you really don’t wanna see my cupcake arse in a slutty nurse outfit. Trust me.
/Clara
“Slutty boy scout” is probably one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard! I bet you someone, somewhere, has done that costume before. Love the “blood and bones.” What a perfect Halloween treat!
What a fun treat for Halloween!
yummy! i love halloween, nothing makes me happier than handing out handfuls (yes, handfuls i am enthusiastic) of candy to little door knockers. and i don’t hand out the crappy candy, only the good stuff. yet, surprisingly i do not dress up, most of the time i wear animal ears or a bird beak and leave it at that. maybe an apron this year and i’ll be a baker. i love the golden girls idea…especially since the theme song will run through my head for the rest of the day.
Cute bones, Joy. But even better than the bones is our apparent mutual love of the Golden Girls. I was Rose last year for halloween. I had my heart set on Dorthy so that I could imitate her deep voice, but the others laid Rose on me because I’m Minnesotan. You’ll have to post a photo of your costume!
This is too funny! Great idea Joy!
How cute and creepy all at the same time! I’m not a fan of Halloween freaky costumes either – which is why I’m going just about as harmless as you, as Minnie Mouse! :)
LOVE Halloween! My house has been tricked out for 3 weeks. Too old for sexy, and totally not down with the kids being slashers. But that doesn’t scare me as much as overly colored food. Gonna try the bones, but not the blood! :)
love the blood and bones! i don’t mind halloween so much–don’t like handing out candy but i do like to get dressed up and go to a party. NOT trick-or-treating, however (at 29, that’d be ridiculous). This year I’m going as a baby doll and my husband is going as steve urkel. :)
Thanks for the idea . . . I think I’ll be a slutty boy scout. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Joy
You are hilarious and creative:) Will you marry me?lol
Just kidding but I really do admire your talent.
Love the blood part! How freaky! You know, I don’t like Halloween either. I think the weirdos come out on Halloween. PLUS, its on a Friday this year…even weirder. But this year I’ve actually thought about venturing into that new costume shop down the street. Believe it or not, I was planning a Halloween party for about 30 seconds. Yes, reality stepped back in. I’ll probably just stay in and drink my “blood” in the form or RED RED WINE!
Love the blood part! How freaky! You know, I don’t like Halloween either. I think the weirdos come out on Halloween. PLUS, its on a Friday this year…even weirder. But this year I’ve actually thought about venturing into that new costume shop down the street. Believe it or not, I was planning a Halloween party for about 30 seconds. Yes, reality stepped back in. I’ll probably just stay in and drink my “blood” in the form of RED RED WINE!
Disturbing idea the blood and bones – seriously – that’s got to be from a mind that comes up with a sexy boy scout idea! Actually, I’m surprised how many commenters don’t like Halloween – I don’t either – if it weren’t for the goodies, I’d say let it go. Just the grumpy old guy inside :-)
This blood and bones is a neat idea. I’m totally not one of those girls that let’s their inner slut come out at Halloween. This year I have a big Turkey suit ready to wear. It’s so stupid looking, but it makes me laugh whenever I look in the mirror. :)
Oooh, I’ll make these for the office. Speaking of, my office has a rule that we HAVE to dress up for Halloween. So not only do I have to lie to my coworkers that they have great costumes and are creative when they really aren’t, but I will also be subjected to quite possibly the same lies. Ugh, Halloween IS scary.
Awesome idea Joy! Halloween isn’t a big thing here in Australia, but I know what you mean about the skimpy-dressed girls. It happens at fancy dress parties too. It’s a total excuse for them to show off their boobs and legs and I find it hilarious because they always look terrible. Sigh…
Dear Joy the Baker,
You are amazing. I look forward to reading all of your new posts and I always search your site first for recipes I am looking for. The meringue bones were something that I found suited for my Halloween festivities perfectly. I work at a bakery and my boss wants us to dress up and then make something that has to do with our costume. I’m going to be a werewolf and decided to do something with bones…and lo and behold meringue bones came into the picture! I just baked off a half batch to try them out and they are extremely tasty and play the part perfectly!
Thank you once again! Keep up the fabulous work.
I got Martha’s magazine with the bones in, and must admit, yours are even better looking than hers!
I wish I had the time and patience to make them, but nahhh… you do it a lot better than I could ever!
BRAVO!
First I just have to say that this post literally made me laugh out loud. Not good when i’m at work supposed to be doing very un-funny things. I now want to be a sexy boy scout for halloween. Except I’m much better at being funny things than sexy things. Maybe i’ll make my boyfriend be a sexy boy scout and i’ll be his den mother or something.
Also wanted to add, since this *is* a food blog. That this recipe looks awesome. I have this great dutch red cocoa at home. That might work wonderfully in this hot cocoa recipe!
Those look delicious! How creative. :)
These are very cute. I made some bones out of bread sticks. I’m thinking there could be a theme at my Halloween dinner. Love the cup of blood!
Eek. Halloween doesn’t scare me, but these do. Just a little bit.
Perfect for that festive Halloweener!
Totally know where you’re coming from with the girl “costumes” Just wear lingere and cat ears and call it good ?
I do like Halloween though, and am convinced that you just picked the best costume EVAR….(Blanche WAS the sluttiest gloden girl, ya know…)
Love the blood and bones….the blood is a little disturbing…
Joy! Looks like you’re more into Halloween than you think… the ‘blood ‘n bones’ combo looks hellishly divine!
I’m only dressing up cause we’re going to a party with mostly horror-film people. I’m a-gonna be a goth/pinup girl. Suprise suprise… hehe. Short black wig, leopard print pillbox hat, a patterned corset and a pencil skirt. Not too trashy, I certainly made sure i’m hiding the goods respectfully, hehe. Ken on the other hand, wanted me to be Sarah Palin. Now THAT’s scary!
I think you’d made a fantastic golden girl… Although Rose is my favorite. Mm.. Betty White is amazing.
Talk to you soon I hope, and can I make a request? Perhaps a cinnamon/apple/vanilla pie for the season?
xo m’darling.
How cute are those! Wish I had kids sometimes just for fun things like this.
First post…
you are the best baker ever…AND…why not Dorothy Zbornak? Bea Arthur is my most favourite of all…and you are tall like her…
Sexy boy scout?!?! That’s a new one. LOL Love the bones, cute:)
I know that Halloween was very special to me growing up. As a kid it was special because I got to dress up and go door to door for free candy. As an older child, it was seeing the littler kids dressed up in cute costumes when I was giving out candy. As an adult, it was one day that I could be whatever I wanted, even if only on the outside. And now, as a mom, it’s getting to see my daughter be the cutest skeleton on the block.
For some, though, it’s a religious holiday and celebrated as such.
I can definitely understand it not being everyone’s cup of tea. Some of the older kids have no respect for anyone.
The first costume I remember, though, was what made me like it so much I think. A ghost. You know. The one made out of a sheet with eye holes. It can also be about creativity, really. I keep thinking how much fun it’s going to be when Rinoa is older and we can sit and plan her costume every year, then make it ourselves. We’ll probably do the ghost thing at some point, but make it cooler by actually making it not look like a sheet. :)
I really think the bones are cool. I’m thinking of making severed fingers this year: cookies covered in flesh-colored white chocolate with painted fingernails. :)
I just made these pumpkin muffins http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/pumpkin-muffins-recipe/index.html and they turned out awesome. I love pumpkin recipes around this time, especially anything with molasses, ginger and cinnamon in it.
I’m a just-turned-17 yr old and frankly find it hilarious when older people are scared of teenagers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s funny when people actually do get attacked in dark alleys etc, but the kind of people who go trick or treating are not the kids to worry about.
I LOVE halloween, and if it weren’t for my huge end of school exams (TEE over here, not sure what they’re called in other places… ) i would totally be going to one of the huge parties (for example, Nightmare at the Manor II) dressed right up.
I occasionally like to let the “inner slut” (LOL) come out.. but in the right context. Like a rocky horror night at the outdoor cinema, dressed up as columbia or something which i have done. other years i have been an orang-utan, a chicken, queen amidala, leprechaun, trekkie, Foxxy Cleopatra from Austin powers (my best friend was austin), and the more generic pirate, witch, vampire, un-skanky black cat, elf (lord of the rings style, and santas helper style ;) ) …. the list goes on!
one year we did a whole party full of spooky food.. we did the severed finger biscuits but with flaked almonds for finger nails and the severed ends dipped in red icing, jelly hands (made by setting the jelly inside rubber gloves), slime punch, guacamole (because it looks like a number of gross things), cupcakes with lolly worms crawling out, bone cookies, and the piece de resistance, an enormous spider cake. it took so much effort, but we managed to get the gigantic black cake joined to the head and it all supported by black pvc pipe legs. there were cachous for the multifaceted eyes, licorice pincers.. it was awesome!
unfortunately i was in hospital for haloween last year (and xmas.. :( ) but next year will be good.
sorry for the essay, but i LOVE halloween!
LOVE! Can I come trick or treating at your house? I LOVE Halloween!
These are too cute :)
These were so fun to make! I’d never made these kind of cookies before and I don’t particularly like them, but the girl I babysit for does! Bonus points on likeability for me! Thanks!
I love your webpage and read it often. Thank you so much for your wonderful recipes and fantastic photos!
wow looks great!! thumbs up!!
Halloween scares me too. I like seeing little kids in cute costumes, which is why we will take the kids out early (Connor age 3 will be a pirate, Addison age 2 will be little red riding hood, my husband – a hockey player and I a mad scientist). Will have mummy hot dogs for dinner, and Red Hot Chocolate for dessert!
Wow! Your blood red hot chocolate and bone cookies are my very favorite halloween treats ever!!!
I think these came out great! They will be a big hit with my kids.
Ciao!
I have been making meringues for years now and have never put the sugar and egg whites over a simmering bowl of water to whisk. what is the purpose for this step over the conventional way of just slowly putting the sugar into the room temperature egg whites while having the machine whip the ingredients together until stiff peaks form??
I love the photo of the spider (a.k.a. the wire whisk) sitting in the meringue waiting to devour it. Perfect!
I’m gonna try this!
I get scared over the dumbest things but I LOVE HALLOWEEN! I love the creepy stuff, the decor and how its a perfect time to go shopping for all the awesome stuff you can’t get during the year!
Halloween is the best holiday EVER!
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