7 Harry Potter Recipes to Make This Halloween
There's something about the autumn season and Harry Potter that just seem to go hand in hand. Throw All Hallows’ Eve into this bubbling cauldron, and you've a recipe for a scarily good time of the year. And while not everyone is fortunate enough to study at the world's most famous school of witchcraft and wizardry, play Quidditch and study with professors who are pretty much geniuses, the muggles among us can at least do the next best thing: recreate some of the tasty treats to be found within the Potter universe.
From Butterbeer-infused specialities and Hagrid's rock cakes to Luna Lovegood's pudding, there are all sorts of Hogwarts-inspired grub that can be rustled up, even if you're wizarding skills are lacking. And since Halloween's likely to be inside this year, why not get the family together, turn your home into the Great Hall, and have your very own Potter-inspired dinner party?
1. Butterbeer
A classic beverage served in Hogsmeade, Butterbeer is served both cold and warm in the Potter world, but this sweet and simple take on the drink goes for the chilled option. Using cream soda as a base, with butter and rum extract for that added butterscotch-y flavour the characters know and love (don't worry, this recipe isn't alcoholic, so kids will love it too). Served with a fluffy marshmallow topping, raise a glass of this Potter favourite and get your party off to a merry start.
2. Hagrid's Rock Cakes
Instead of chipping your teeth and tasting awful like they do in the series, this take on Hagrid's rock cakes softens up the Keeper of Keys and Grounds' recipe into deliciously soft, rustic cakes. Made from a few staples that you probably already have handy in your pantry, they're easy to make and taste lovely. And what's more, no need to worry about booking a trip to your dentist after tucking in.
3. Nimbus 2000 Broomsticks
OK, these ones might be cheating a little since there's not really any cooking involved, but they're delicious and easy enough for the kids to prepare themselves. All you need to make your very own edible Nimbus 2000 Broomsticks are pretzel sticks, melted chocolate and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! Three ingredients they may be, but these tasty Quidditch brooms are simply a case of dipping the pretzel sticks into melted chocolate, letting them set, and then plunging them into the base of the cups.
Impossible to resist, watch these go as quick as they do on the Quidditch pitch.
4. Butterbeer Cupcakes
Bite-sized classics with a Potter twist, these Butterbeer cupcakes are a treat, and are an excellent way to get your fix of the sugary, buttery Potter favourite if you don't fancy making the drink version mentioned above. The flavours are big and bold here, with toffee, cream soda and vanilla extract all coming through the soft sponge cake, while the topping's butterscotch flavouring and butter extract (an essential, by the way) add plenty of rich potency too.
5. Polyjuice Potion
While this version of the famous potion won't give you the power to take on the likeness of other people, its luminous green colour makes it an excellent addition to any Halloween party, Potter-themed or not! It's also super easy to make so you and your kids can easily brew this tasty and sweet potion a few minutes before the party starts.
6. Hogsmeade Pumpkin Pasties
This take on the hearty pasties served on the Hogwarts Express actually has both sweet and savoury versions to cater to all kinds of taste buds. If you've a sweet tooth, then prepare to feast on a pasty filled with warmly spiced pumpkin, flavoured with cinnamon and sugar, while for muggles who prefer things on the savoury side, cheese, garlic and sage await. Whichever you go for, they're both worthy of being sold by Honeydukes themselves.
7. Golden Snitch Truffles
To go along with the Nimbus 2000 broomsticks above, why not give these simple, tasty Golden Snitch truffles a go too? You only need three ingredients, so they're an absolute breeze to make, and since they use Oreos, you can easily switch out the regular cream cheese for vegan cream cheese as an alternative. Coated in gold sprinkles for that distinctive Snitch appearance, you can even decorate them with wings using paper, toothpicks and a bit of creativity using gold marker pens.
We hope this article has inspired you to get creative in the kitchen! Looking for more? You’ll find the full range of Breville products, whatever you’re in need of, on our homepage.