Choux pastry dough is piped into hot oil at 350 degrees and fried until golden, then rolled in a fragrant blend of five-spice powder and cinnamon sugar while still warm. These aromatic, crunchy-outside, soft-inside churros put an unexpected Asian-inspired twist on a beloved fair food favorite.

Baked russet potato halves scooped, re-crisped, and drizzled with a rich beer-Cheddar cheese sauce, then topped with bacon and scallions. A loaded, pub-style snack built for friendly competition and sibling rivalry.

Bite-sized sausage and cheese balls made with biscuit mix, spicy sausage, and two types of Cheddar. A quick and crowd-pleasing appetizer with a kick of hot sauce.

A tender food processor crust made with lard and butter cradles Granny Smith apples spiced with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg under a woven lattice top, served with dollops of mascarpone whipped cream. This heirloom family recipe is the definitive all-American apple pie, with a flaky, old-fashioned crust and a filling that honors tradition in every spiced, buttery bite.

In this Halloween special of Valerie’s Home Cooking, Val pairs up with Jordan from This Girl Walks Into a Bar to make a spooky, pitch-black Margarita Mocktail. Using an organic citrus mixer, sweet agave, a spicy-salty Tajín rim, and activated charcoal, this quick and easy non-alcoholic drink brings all the eerie vibes without the alcohol. Perfect for Halloween entertaining! This Girl Walks Into a Bar is giving Valerie's Place members 30% off their entire order. Head to thisgirlmixerssnacks.com and use code VALERIE at checkout.

Lemon vodka, limoncello, and orange liqueur shaken with fresh citrus juices and served in a glass rimmed with citrus-zest sugar. A bright, triple-citrus cocktail that brings a burst of sunshine and laughter to any happy hour.

Vanilla ice cream is blended with milk, dark rum, and bourbon until thick and creamy, then poured into glasses and topped with freshly grated nutmeg. This shortcut eggnog skips the egg-tempering fuss entirely, delivering a rich, boozy, holiday-ready drink in under five minutes.

An easy meal for one, this sizzling steak-and-greens dish brings big flavors with buttery chili crisp, bold seasoning, and a restaurant-worthy plate in under 10 minutes.

A kid-friendly mocktail blending fresh watermelon puree with lime juice and mint simple syrup, topped with sparkling water. Garnished with watermelon and mint skewers for a festive presentation.

A streamlined Eggs Benedict with poached eggs and deli ham on an English muffin. The perfect brunch cure-all, simplified for a relaxed morning.