The Fascinating History of 5 Vintage and Traditional Halloween Recipes

Did you know that back in the '40s and '50s, Americans often handed out traditional, homemade Halloween treats instead of store-bought candy? Some vintage Halloween candy recipes might seem unfamiliar to you, while other classic Halloween candies have never gone out of fashion—you'll find them now as the choice food at a Halloween party. In this roundup, we'll dive into the tasty, interesting stories behind a few of these holiday Halloween treats!

Best Vintage Halloween Candy Recipes

<p>Teresa Blackburn</p><p><a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/halloween-popcorn-balls-ultimate-salty-145103476.html" data-ylk="slk:Popcorn balls;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">Popcorn balls</a> were a fixture at <a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/50-easy-halloween-party-ideas-182125581.html" data-ylk="slk:Halloween parties;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">Halloween parties</a> during the 1950s, a time when treat-or-treaters regularly enjoyed homemade treats rather than packaged store-bought candies. The first recipe for popcorn balls was published in 1861 in E.F. Haskell’s <em>Housekeeper’s Encyclopedia, </em>and by the turn of the century, many cookbooks included popcorn ball recipes<em>.</em></p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/halloween-popcorn-balls-ultimate-salty-145103476.html" data-ylk="slk:Popcorn Balls;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">Popcorn Balls</a></strong></p>
<p>lostpastremembered.blogspot.com</p><p>When Christianity began to grow throughout Europe, previously celebrated harvest holidays transitioned into a Christian celebration known as the “feasts of All Saints and All Souls.” In 835 AD, the Roman Catholic Church made <a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/happy-november-november-holidays-observances-230019163.html" data-ylk="slk:November;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">November</a> 1 a religious holiday to honor the saints. Instead of offering food and wine to the spirits of ancestors, villagers baked “soul cakes.” The classic spiced biscuit-like cakes were offered to the poor, who in turn would pray for the deceased. As the tradition grew in later years, young men would travel door-to-door singing songs in exchange for money, food, or ale. The practice of <a href="https://parade.com/513407/lindsaylowe/15-easy-diy-halloween-costumes-for-men/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:wearing costumes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">wearing costumes</a> continued as a way to honor the saints, rather than warding off unwelcome spirits. Many believe it is this practice that inspired our modern-day trick-or-treat costume tradition.</p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/157763/lorilange/how-to-make-pumpkin-pie-spice/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice</a></strong></p>
<p>Melissa Sperka</p><p>Legend has it that <a href="https://parade.com/224587/reedrummond/caramel-apple-pie/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:caramel apples;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">caramel apples</a> were created by Dan Walker, a sales representative for Kraft during the 1950s. Not surprisingly, when Kraft began printing Walker’s genius recipe on bags of their individually wrapped caramels, sales skyrocketed. We may never know who first dipped an apple into a pot of melted caramel, but they are still popular today. Now you can find this tasty traditional Halloween <span>candied apple</span> dipped in an endless variety of additional toppings, from crushed Oreos to chocolate chips to marshmallows.</p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/345338/melissasperka/the-perfect-homemade-caramel-dipped-apples/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Step-by-Step Instructions for Make Caramel Apples at Home;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Step-by-Step Instructions for Make Caramel Apples at Home</a></strong></p>
<p>iStock</p><p>Selling approximately 20 million pounds per year, <a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/29-candy-corn-treats-shots-155949160.html" data-ylk="slk:candy corn;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">candy corn</a>, to the bewilderment of many, remains at the top of the Halloween candy food chain. Goelitz Confectionery Co. claims to have first commercially produced the tricolored triangular candy in 1898. So how is candy corn made? The 4-5 day process starts with a wet slurry mixture that is later deposited, colored layer by colored layer, into trays lined with cornstarch that has been imprinted with the signature triangle shape. The kernels are then polished with glaze and edible wax in rotating steel pans to achieve that smooth, glossy finish.</p><p><strong>Related: </strong><strong><a href="https://parade.com/842765/lisawaddle/candy-corn-whoopie-pies/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Candy Corn Whoopie Pies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Candy Corn Whoopie Pies</a></strong></p>
<p>Tori's Kitchen</p><p>Though the rules of <a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/time-does-trick-treating-start-145426254.html" data-ylk="slk:trick-or-treating;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">trick-or-treating</a> may be a little strict these days, you might be surprised to learn that during the mid-20th century, housewives would pass out <a href="https://www.acmesponge.com/lifestyle/200-christmas-cookie-ideas-family-182503642.html" data-ylk="slk:cookies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link  yahoo-link">cookies</a> and cupcakes much like we do with packaged candy today. After World War II, efforts were made to gear Halloween toward younger children and away from teenage “pranksters” who spent the holiday wreaking havoc on their neighborhoods. <a href="https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/halloween-devils-food-cupcakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Festive chocolate Devil’s Food cupcakes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Festive chocolate Devil’s Food cupcakes</a> became a popular treat thanks to their spooky name and the addition of orange frosting. The cake earned its name during the 1870s when the newly improved cocoa powder was added to the cake batter for the first time. Back then, foods that were dark or richly spiced were often referred to as “deviled,” a term that perfectly suited the darkly colored chocolate cake.</p>

Up next: The 150-Year-Old Cookie Recipe That's Wildly Simple