Halloween Block Party Spread

Hi Everyone! It's Nicole, Annette's web manager and friend, and I'm back again to share a great idea for celebrating Halloween with friends later this week: a few easy recipes for a Halloween block party.A few years ago, I realized that while we have plenty of trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood, many of them venture to other, longer streets to get their candy. Parents would walk by with their caravan of kiddos, and we wouldn't get anyone knocking on our door for candy. As someone who absolutely loves Halloween, I would be so disappointed with the lack of festivities on our street, so I decided to do something about it.Last year, we had our first official neighborhood driveway party. We provided everything, and neighbors stopped by as they passed to and from trick-or-treating. The party lasted well into the evening, and it was so fun!As I started planning for this year's festivities, I turned to Annette's archives for some inspiration, and of course, I found it. Here are a few quick recipes for a fun block party spread:

White Bean ChiliServes 8

You will need:– 1 lb ground sirloin– 1 lb ground turkey– 3 tablespoons olive oil– 1 small onion chopped– 3 cloves chopped garlic– 4 tablespoons chili powder– 1 teaspoon salt– 1 teaspoon white pepper– 1 teaspoon cinnamon– 8 cups chicken stock– 2 cups canned cannellini white beans– 2 cups canned pinto beans– 2 tablespoons dried corianderOn the side:– Tortilla chips– Avocado– Chopped fresh cilantro– Sour creamTo prepare:In a stockpot, sauté sirloin and turkey, with a slotted spoon remove cooked meat and set aside. Pour out any excess oil. Place olive oil and onions, garlic into the stockpot, heat on medium and cook until translucent. Add cooked meat, chili powder, salt, pepper and cinnamon and stock, simmer for 1 hour, add beans and coriander Cook for 3 hours.Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and sliced avocado and chopped fresh cilantro tortilla chips.Photo Courtesy of: Victoria from Mission Food

Devils Food Cup CakesMakes 36 cupcakes

You will need: For the cupcakes:- ½ cup water- 1 cup high quality cocoa powder- 3 sticks butter softened (1 ½ cups)- 2 cups sugar- 4 eggs beaten- 1 tablespoon vanilla- ¼ cup canola oil- 1 cup sour cream- 3 cups all purpose flour- 1 teaspoon baking soda- 1 teaspoon salt- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chipsFor the Chocolate Frosting:- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar- 7 tablespoons high quality cocoa- 1 stick of butter softened- 6 tablespoons evaporated milkCake Preparation:In the microwave, place water, then place cocoa powder in hot water, set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle blade place butter and sugar combine until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, add vanilla and oil and sour cream add cocoa mixture, beat on medium speed until combined.In a bowl mix flour and baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture on slow speed until combined, and add chocolate chips. Spoon batter into muffin tins, lined with cupcake liners fill liner until ¾ full. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes until a pick is inserted and comes out clean. Cool and then frost.Frosting Preparation:Sift sugar and cocoa together in a bowl set aside. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle, cream butter, add sugar cocoa mixture slowly to the butter alternately with the evaporated milk, until fluffy.Photos via Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn & Design Sponge

Party Favors

Select your favorite varieties of spooky, color-appropriate Halloween candy, fill cupcake liners, and tie with a cute string.

xx Annette