Halloween Ghost & Pumpkin Strawberries: Spooky Fun for Oxnard Trick-or-Treaters
Halloween in Oxnard Deserves Treats This Cute
Halloween in Oxnard hits different. Between the trick-or-treating on C Street, the costume parades at Plaza Park, and the way entire neighborhoods in the Riverpark and Victoria Estates areas go all out with their decorations, there is so much spooky energy to match with your baking. The crisp October evenings here in the 805, when the coastal fog rolls in just as the sun sets, create the perfect backdrop for all things spooky and sweet.
At Jazzy Sweet Treats, our Halloween strawberry boxes are some of our most popular items every October, and today we are sharing exactly how you can make ghosts, pumpkins, mummies, and spiderweb strawberries at home. These treats have become a staple at neighborhood block parties from Seabridge to the Shores, and we love seeing our community get creative in their own kitchens.
Ingredients and Supplies
Before you start, gather everything you need so your decorating session goes smoothly. There is nothing worse than having chocolate-covered hands and realizing you forgot the piping bags.
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and thoroughly dried
- 8 ounces white chocolate chips
- 4 ounces orange candy melts
- 2 ounces dark or black candy melts
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Small food-safe paintbrush or toothpick
- Piping bags or zip-lock bags with a tiny corner cut
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
A quick tip from our Jazzy Sweet Treats kitchen: make sure those berries are completely dry before dipping. Even a little moisture will cause the chocolate to seize up and get clumpy. We like to wash ours the night before and let them air dry in the fridge overnight. If you are new to working with chocolate, our classic chocolate-covered strawberries guide covers all the fundamentals you need to know.
How to Make Ghost Strawberries
Ghost strawberries are always the crowd favorite, and they are surprisingly simple once you get the technique down.
Step 1: White Chocolate Base
Melt your white chocolate with a teaspoon of coconut oil using 30-second microwave intervals, stirring between each one. The coconut oil helps the chocolate stay smooth and gives it a nice sheen once it sets. For more tips on working with white chocolate, check out our white chocolate strawberries guide. Dip each strawberry fully so the entire berry and leaves are coated in white. Hold it over the bowl for a few seconds to let the excess drip off, then set on parchment paper and let them firm up for about 10 minutes in the fridge.
Step 2: Add the Faces
Melt a small amount of black candy melts and use a toothpick or fine piping bag to dot on two eyes and a little open mouth. Keep the expressions fun and varied. Some can look surprised, some scared, some silly. That is what makes them charming and gives each ghost its own personality. Kids especially love picking out the ghost that matches their mood.
How to Make Pumpkin Strawberries
These little pumpkins are almost too cute to eat. Almost.
Step 1: Orange Coating
Melt your orange candy melts with a touch of coconut oil. Dip each strawberry about three-quarters of the way up, leaving the green leaves exposed to look like a pumpkin stem. The natural shape of a strawberry is already so close to a little pumpkin, so it works perfectly. Give it a gentle twist as you pull it out of the chocolate to prevent drips.
Step 2: Draw the Details
Once the orange sets, use melted black candy melts to pipe jack-o-lantern faces. Triangles for eyes, a jagged mouth, and a small nose. You can also pipe vertical lines down the sides to mimic pumpkin ridges. We like to make a mix of happy faces and spooky ones so there is something for everyone at the party.
Bonus: Mummy and Spiderweb Designs
Want to take your Halloween strawberry game to the next level? Try these two designs that always get compliments.
For mummies, dip berries in white chocolate, let them set, then drizzle thin horizontal lines of more white chocolate across the front in a crisscross pattern. Leave a small gap near the top and add two candy eyes peeking through the bandages. The messier the drizzle, the more authentic your mummy looks. Our chocolate drizzle techniques guide has more tips for perfecting this look.
For spiderwebs, dip in dark chocolate first, then pipe concentric white circles on top while the chocolate is still slightly tacky. Drag a toothpick from the center outward to create the web effect. These look incredibly impressive but are actually easier than they seem once you try them a couple of times.
An Oxnard Halloween Tradition
We love setting out a tray of these at Halloween get-togethers. Families in Ventura County really appreciate a homemade treat that looks incredible but does not take all day to make. There is something special about bringing a platter of these to a party and watching everyone's face light up.
Pick up your berries at any of the roadside stands along Saviers Road or Gonzales Road, and you will have the freshest base for your spooky creations. Oxnard strawberry fields produce some of the best berries in California, so why not take advantage of what is grown right here in our backyard? Pair them with some hot apple cider after a walk through the Collection at RiverPark and you have the ultimate 805 Halloween evening.
These strawberries also make fantastic treats to hand out to neighbors or bring to school parties. They are a refreshing alternative to all the candy, and parents always appreciate having something a little more wholesome in the mix.
If decorating is not your thing but you still want a showstopper box for your Halloween party, reach out to Jazzy Sweet Treats. We make these every season and they always sell out fast here in Oxnard. Whether you want a dozen for a small family gathering or several boxes for a bigger event, we have got you covered. Just give us a few days notice so we can make sure your order is ready when you need it.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Jazzy Sweet Treats. We cannot wait to see what spooky creations you come up with this year.
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