Halloween treats don’t have to rot your teeth

It’s true ... Despite what the kids think, not all Halloween treats need to rot your teeth on contact.
Which isn’t to say the goodies we’ve gathered here — a muddy punch and a granola-like snack — don’t have a sweet side. Rather, we decided to take a more balanced approach to our sugar rush. You know, just in case somebody over the age of 12 wanted some.
Start with the spicy-sweet mole pumpkin seed clusters. Think of it as a savory-sweet granola that packs tons of addictive crunch and just a bit of heat (easily adjusted to your taste). It definitely has that potato chip-like can’t-stop-shoving-it-in-your-face quality. Embrace it.
To wash it down, we created a spooky, muddy punch. Sure, it’s jammed with chocolate, but it tastes more fruity than sugary. We kept it simple — and nonalcoholic — in case you’re willing to share it with the kids. But after they go to bed, we suggest adding a healthy splash of light rum.
SPICY-SWEET MOLE PUMPKIN SEED CLUSTERS
Start to finish:
20 minutes, plus cooling
½ cup almond butter
½ cup honey
½ to 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
2 cups flaked corn cereal, lightly crushed
Line a rimmed baking sheet with waxed paper.
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine almond butter, honey, cayenne, salt and cocoa powder. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
Remove pan from heat and add pumpkin seeds and cereal. Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared pan. Using 2 spoons, separate mixture into small clusters. Set aside to cool.
Servings: 12
Nutrition information per serving: 230 calories; 130 calories from fat (57 percent of total calories); 14 g fat (2 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 21 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 13 g sugar; 8 g protein; 160 mg sodium.
LIQUID MUD PUNCH
Start to finish: 10 minutes, plus cooling
4 cups grape juice
Two 20-ounce bags bittersweet chocolate bits
4 cups blueberry juice, chilled
2-liter bottle lemon-lime soda, chilled
Shaved chocolate, to serve
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring grape juice to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate bits. Continue stirring until completely melted and smooth. Whisk in blueberry juice, then refrigerate until completely chilled.
In a large punch bowl, gently stir chocolate juice mixture with lemon-lime soda. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate just before serving.
Servings: 24
Nutrition information per serving: 320 calories; 180 calories from fat (56 percent of total calories); 20 g fat (10 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 36 g sugar; 4 g protein; 20 mg sodium.