Homemade Halloween goodies are great treats By Natalie Smith Missouriafi staff writer

On a chilly black October night, you can peer out your window and see ghosts, goblins, werewolves and witches creep from door to door with hands outstretched Halloween is the night when bags fill to the bnm with candy, and every sweet imaginable This ghoulish night culminates in each child s running home pouring the contents of his bag on the kitchen ta- ble and surveying the mouth water- ing sweets that he before him Often the fun ends when parents face the dilemma of what to allow their child to eat. The lack of nutri- tional value in most Halloween treats is a good reason to start mak- ing your own treats at home some- thing a parent and child can do to- gether You can help your child and other children come home with nutritional treats by carefully planning before ghosts ring your doorbell Some healthy treats are packages of rai- sins nuts and sugarless gum, says Treva Kintner, a University home economics instructor Dried fruit, trail mixes and graham crackers with frosting inside are also more nutritious than candy or chocolate 'I don t think children need a steady diet of chocolate,' Mrs Kintner - says Popcorn balls and Rice Kns-pi- es squares are fun treats to give at Halloween Mrs Kintner suggests wrapping each treat in a sandwich bag before handing it out to children Not only are homemade treats great handouts, they are the perfect treat for Halloween parties at home Recipe books and articles provided by Mrs Kintner give more ideas and recipes that both you and your child can make at home for the goblins who appear on your doorstep The following two recipes are from 'Recipes for Learning

t Crunchy' Granola 3 cups rolled oats 1 cup shredded coconut Vt cup wheat gerrn V cup chopped nuts Vz cup sunflower seeds Vz cup cooking oil Vt cup Vz teaspoon each of vanilla and salt Bake in flat pan at 300 F until crisp and crunchy Stir often

Carob Candy 1 cup honey 1 cup butter 1 cup carob powder 1 cup seeds 1 cup unsalted Vz cup shredded coconut Vz cup chopped dried fruit Heat honey and peanut butter until they can be mixed together easily Quickly add carob powder and rest of ingredients and mix Drop by tea spoonfuls onto waxed paper Refrig erate until ready to eat The following three recipes are from an article by Melinda Graves of the Deseret News

Peanut Butter Candy Vz cup peanut butter Vz cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla Vi cup powdered milk Blend together peanut butter hon ey and vanuia. Si i in the powdered milk Form into desired shapes and chill This recipe is wonderfully adapt able Add raisins granola or dried fruit, if desired Roll candies in coco- or chopped nuts

Coconut Candy 1 cup shredded unsweetened coco nut 1 tablespoon honey 4 tablespoons peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla Mix all ingredients into a paste Shape into small balls and chill until hardened

Sesame Seed Candy V cup butter cup sesame seeds 1 cup shredded unsweetened coco- nut V cup honey teaspoon vanilla Lightly brown coconut and sesame seeds in butter Remove from heat and stir in honey and vanilla. Press into buttered pan Chill until firm and then cut into squares or roll into balls.