This menu is so quick to serve, you'll have plenty of time to get everyone in costume and sit down to a wholesome and hearty dinner before the candy frenzy begins!

This menu is so quick to serve, you'll have plenty of time to get everyone in costume and sit down to a wholesome and hearty dinner before the candy frenzy begins!

Serve extra cookies and hot cider to those who come to your door.

Your Menu: Serves 6

Picky Eater's Meatball Soup

• Purchased dinner rolls

Pumpkin Doodle Doo Cookies

• Hot spiced apple cider

Test Kitchen Tips:

Bake the meatballs for the soup ahead and chill up to 24 hours. Prepare the toppers for the soup up to 24 hours ahead; cover and chill. Purchase carrots already sliced from your grocery store's produce section or from the salad bar if they have one.

Cookies can be made and stored in a covered container up to 3 days at room temperature or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature to serve.

For hot spiced apple cider, add 6 inches stick cinnamon and 1 teaspoon whole allspice and 1 teaspoon whole cloves to every 8 cups apple cider. Heat through slowly in a large pot. Strain before using.

(Or place the whole spices on a square of 100% cotton cheesecloth and tie into a bundle with cotton string before adding to cider, then remove bundle before serving.) If you like, sweeten to taste with brown sugar; use 1/4 to 1/2 cup packed brown sugar for every 8 cups cider.

Shopping List for Soup

• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 loaf soft white bread
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 3 medium Roma tomatoes or 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 2.1-ounce package ready-to-serve cooked bacon (or 1 8-ounce package sliced bacon)
• 1 8-ounce package fresh mushrooms
• 1 4-ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 container finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 package desired-flavor croutons
• 1 bottle tomato juice
• 1 package tripolini (tiny bow tie pasta)
• 1 1-pound package carrots (or 1 package sliced carrots)
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 1 package (8 or 12) baked dinner rolls
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 container stick cinnamon
• 1 container whole cloves
• 1 container whole allspice

Shopping List for Cookies

• 1 pound butter
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 1 container ground cinnamon
• 1 dozen eggs

Pantry Items:

For Soup:

• yellow mustard
• salt
• brown sugar

For Cookies:

• granulated sugar
• vanilla
• cream of tartar
• baking soda
• salt
• all-purpose flour

Equipment Needed:

For Soup:

• measuring cups and spoons
• cutting board and knife
• food processor or blender for bread crumbs
• large bowls
• wooden spoon or fork for mixing meatball mixture
• 15x10x1-inch baking pan
• 5 small bowls
• 4-quart Dutch oven or pot
• wooden spoon
• large pot for cider

For Cookies:

• measuring cups and spoons
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• wooden spoons
• small mixing bowl
• 2 teaspoons
• cookie sheets
• wire racks
• wide metal spatula

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