HALLOWEEN TREATS  By Christy Rost   Doors creak, chains rattle, and soulful moans fill the air on Halloween night, at least at our home. As Halloween approaches, I set the stage for a spine-tingling, fun experience for all the trick-or-treaters who venture up the driveway to our front door in search of sweet holiday treats. The children’s safety is tops on my list on Halloween night, and since our street is rather dark, I line our circular driveway with a large collection of lanterns and ceramic jack-o-lanterns fitted with votive candles. They cheerfully light the way along the circular driveway to our front door, preventing falls while providing a festive glow. An audiotape of moans, screams, creaking hinges, and woeful organ music plays from a hidden location, and acts like a magnet to draw trick-or-treaters to our door in search of a thrill they can share with their friends. In years past, our two sons got into the act and provided some scary moments for trick-or-treaters and their parents. Nowadays, with our sons off at school, Randy and I use recorded music, cobwebs, hanging bats, orange lights in the trees, a thick fog by the door, costumes, and an eerie sense of humor when we greet Halloween visitors. Whether you’re planning a party or making homemade treats for the children on your block, Crispy Confetti Halloween Pops are a delicious treat loved by kids of all ages. A variation of Rice Krispy® treats, these delicious pops are even more colorful, thanks to the generous, yummy addition of Froot Loops®. Threaded onto lollipop sticks, dipped in white chocolate, and sprinkled with sweet Halloween confetti, these crispy, marshmallow treats are a delightful addition to your Halloween celebration. Crispy Confetti Halloween Pops Ingredients: ¼ cup butter or margarine 1 10.5-ounce package miniature marshmallows 5 ¼ cups toasted rice cereal 1 cup Froot Loops 6 ounces white chocolate Decorator sprinkles 12 6-inch lollipop sticks 12 4”x9” clear cellophane bags 12 lengths orange, yellow, or black ribbon (13” long) Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat; add marshmallows and stir to mix. Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, until marshmallows melt and mixture is smooth. Remove saucepan from heat. Immediately stir in cereals, stirring well to mix completely. Spray a 9”x13” pan with nonstick cooking spray and transfer cereal mixture to prepared pan. Spray fingertips with nonstick spray; press cereal mixture evenly into pan. Set crispy treats aside 1 to 2 hours to cool completely. Mixture will firm as it cools. With a sharp knife, slice cereal treats into 12 equal rectangles. Remove rectangles and place on parchment or wax paper. Insert lollipop sticks two-thirds of the way into each rectangle. Soften white chocolate in a small microwavable bowl at 50% power for 2 minutes, or until chocolate is soft. Stir with a spoon until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Dip crispy pops into melted chocolate; sprinkle with Halloween or autumn candy confetti. Place pops on a wire rack until chocolate sets. If desired, place rack in refrigerator until chocolate is firm. Wrap confetti pops in individual cellophane bags and tie with ribbon. Recipe makes twelve 4 ½-inch pops. Note: Look for the upcoming release of Christy Rost's cookbook, The Family Table: Where Great Food, Friends and Family Gather Together, in bookstores early November 2003. For a complete list of personal appearances and booksigning events, or for more Halloween recipes, visit Christy's website at www.easyentertain.com.  Get more of Christy Rost's recipes in her archives. Click here. Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com