Dirt Cake

$17 - $21 (based on 2015 prices) 

Makes 16-20 half-cup servings 

This is my favorite recipe for Halloween and it possesses numerous possibilities. You can serve the cake in creepy containers with lots of disgusting critters or dye the mixture unearthly colors (break it into smaller batches, dye them different colors, and alternate their layering to create a multicolored contraption).

• 32 Ounces crushed Oreo cookies 
• ¼ Cup butter 
• 8 Ounces cream cheese 
• 1 Cup powdered sugar 
• 3 ½ Cups milk 
• 6 Ounces instant vanilla pudding 
• 12 Ounces whipped cream

1. In a large bowl, beat together butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together milk, pudding, and whipped cream. Allow the pudding mixture to set by chilling it in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.

3. Blend together cream cheese mixture and pudding mixture. If you would like to dye the mixture, add food coloring at this point. Allow the mixture to set by chilling it in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.

4. In a food processor, mince the Oreo cookies. You can chop them into fine crumbs or leave larger chucks to give the dirt a more realistic look. To prevent the cake from being too sweet, remove the cream.

5. In chosen container(s), layer mixture and crushed Oreo cookies until desired height, topping with final layer of Oreos.

Crepe Paper Vines

$3 - $6 (based on 2014 prices)

Makes roughly 80 feet of vines

This project is cheap, easy, and versatile. By altering the colors, you can tailor the vines to any theme (e.g. black and red for a demonic lair, brown and green for a foggy swamp, orange and yellow for a rotted pumpkin patch, etc.). Similarly, the manner in which you hang the vines – or wrap them across sets – and the degree to which you cut their edges can be customized to fit your overall concept.

• One roll of crepe paper streamer in black
• One roll of crepe paper streamer in green
• One roll of transparent adhesive tape
• Scissors

1. Align both colors of crepe paper and cut them to desired lengths. To make the process more manageable, tape one end to hold the pieces together. 

2. Cut slits into both sides of the paper at forty-five-degree angles and shred the ends. To achieve a natural look, stagger the slits so that they are not parallel with each other.

3. Using tape, string the vines along your chosen surface, twisting them and slightly separating the two streamers.

Haunted Portrait

 $16 - $20 (based on 2014 prices)

The picture frame is the most expensive element in this project. You can make a subtle statement with a small, cheap frame or a dramatic impression with something more massive and ornate. You can also create a series of portraits with several smaller window clings. 

• One 16" x 20" picture frame with mat and cardboard backing (glass pane optional)
• One Halloween-themed window cling
• Four pieces of 8.5” x 11” copy paper
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat brown*
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• At least four tablespoons of black tea (e.g. Darjeeling, Earl Gary, English Breakfast, etc.)
• One pan large enough to soak the copy paper

1. Boil enough water to completely submerge the copy paper and pour it into the pan. Add the tea. The longer you brew the tea, the darker the stain will become. Likewise, greater amounts of tea will produce a richer stain. I found that a combination of English and Irish Breakfast brewed for over ten minutes produces a nice, deep brown. Submerge the paper into the tea mixture and soak it until it reaches the color you desire. I soaked mine for eight hours and scattered the loose-leaf tea over the top of the paper to add spots. Remove the paper from the water and allow it to dry. Although it can be time consuming, this process works best if you stain each sheet of paper individually.

2. Deconstruct the picture frame, separating the frame, mat, cardboard backing, and glass pane (use of the glass pane is entirely optional).

3. Glue the stained paper to the cardboard backing. To make it appear even more decrepit, create holes and tears in the paper.

4. Glue the window cling to the paper, pressing it as smooth as possible.

5. With the black and brown paint, create smears, spots, and stains on the mat. Play with the patterns until you reach the design you desire. To give the mat a withered appearance, make bends, holes, and tears.

6. Glue the mat to the cardboard backing and attach it to the frame (adding the glass pane, if you choose to use it). You can brush the frame with black and brown paint as well to add an additional level of age.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.

Trash Bag Creepy Cloth

$7 - $10 (based on 2014 prices)

Makes Four 38”x 60” Sheets

Although they require a little more effort and time than store-bought creepy cloth, they grant you the ability to control the color scheme and cater it toward your haunt’s specific theme. If you use these for interior decorations, allow them to air outside for a few days before moving them inside (even though the spray paint dries rather quickly, the smell takes a while to subside).

• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat black 
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat gray
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat green
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat white
• Two 60 gallon clear plastic trash bags

1. Cut the trash bags along their seams to form sheets. 

2. In a well-ventilated area, stretch the sheets out as smooth as possible and weigh their ends down with bricks or rocks.

3. Hold the paint cans roughly twelve inches away from the sheets and spray spots, streaks, and swirls. Play with the patterns until you reach the coverage and design you desire. I found that working from dark to light produces the best results.

4. Allow the sheets to dry overnight or for several days to give the smell of spray paint time to abate.

5. Cut the sheets to desired lengths, shred the edges, and hang. You can also drape them over furniture to achieve that abandoned-house look.

Since the plastic still maintains much of its translucency, you can play with lighting to give the sheets a ghostly glow.