Buy Local: Trick Out or Treats

Photos by Will Corwin

Pumpkin chocolate chip and apples 'n' pears cupcakes

Cupcake Jones, cupcakejones.net.

Many restaurants and bakeries flaunt vegan and gluten-free options, locally sourced ingredients and "made from scratch"—glaring indications that your wallet is about to be swallowed whole or your food will taste of stale weed, chalk, or both. The cupcakes ($3.75 jumbo, $1.50 mini) at Cupcake Jones are made from mostly local and natural ingredients, striking the right balance between moist and fluffy cake and choice frosting. Their seasonal menu features apples 'n' pears and pumpkin chocolate chip. The pumpkin cupcake could have had more pumpkin flavor, but the rich texture and bold chocolate-mint flavor of the frosting made up for it. The apples 'n' pears is like stepping into a gingerbread house filled with lighted Yankee candles. The cream-cheese frosting isn't too sweet and offsets the spice and heavy fruit flavor in the cake.

Halloween truffles

Moonstruck Chocolate, moonstruckchocolate.com.

This adorable Frankenstein toffee truffle ($2.50), the glistening milk chocolate pumpkin truffle ($2.50) and the decadent pecan pie truffle ($2.25) are just a few of the delicious and artisanal Halloween treats available at Moonstruck. This isn't children's candy you slough off to the neighborhood kids, but a tiny delight for your own Halloween night.

Hawaiian black sea salt

Saharas Supplies, etsy.com.

This coarse grain salt ($6.50 for 4 ounces), though originally from Hawaii, is sold and distributed out of Medford by Saharas Supplies. The salt gets its black finish from natural charcoal activation. While the thought of eating anything with charcoal seems wrong, there supposedly are health benefits, including trace minerals and electrolytes, and it can also aid digestion. But enough with the health talk—the real reason to buy it is to give a ghoulish look to the salted rims of Halloween cocktails.

Alma chocolates

Alma, almachocolate.com.

The chocolatiers at Alma make batches of goodies by hand from natural ingredients. There's a big variety, from bonbons to thick chocolate bars, and crunchy toffee to rich caramel sauce.

From a variety of 15 Alma bonbons, the bourbon bonbon (super sampler 10 piece, $22.50) could not be passed up, if only for the boozy infusion. Slip open the tiny box to find shimmering morsels of chocolate. The shell is made of a thin coat of dark chocolate, and inside is a creamy dark-chocolate filling made better with a delectable bourbon smack.

Peanut-milk-salt bar

Respectfully abbreviated PMS ($8), this candy could not be more on point in flavor as in name. The milk chocolate melts on your tongue to reveal whole peanuts, and the sprinkling of salt is just enough to cut through the richness of the chocolate.

This candy bar ($10) is an upgrade on the usual Butterfinger. Dense chocolate is constructed into Giza-like pyramids tightly packed with a delicious hazelnut crunch, with a sprinkling of sea salt and whole hazelnuts on the bottom.

Salted caramel sauce

The texture of this caramel sauce is the main reason to indulge. The thick and creamy consistency is just right for any autumnal recipe or dessert—whether apple dipping, cake topping or as an added sweetener to spiked cider. The ooey-gooey confection isn't overly salty, just way too easy to overeat.

TRICKED OUT

Autumn wreaths

Twigs, etsy.com/shop/twigs4u

Too many Halloween wreaths are made of moldy straw. Luckily, we have these beautiful and fairly understated creations from Twigs. These sturdy wreaths (Fall Chinese Lantern $29, Natural Manzanita $40, Fall Wreath $35) are handcrafted with a mix of natural and faux materials from the Pacific Northwest to ensure they'll last for many autumns.

Deluxe acorn set

Creations by Angel, etsy.com.

This set of 40 cotton and corduroy acorns are made from high-quality fabrics and real acorn tops. The gorgeous reds, burgundies, oranges and browns give a warm accent to any vase, candleholder or dinner table. Angel Powell, the owner and designer, taught herself how to sew and started her business making accessories and bags for friends. She now offers clutches, quilts, wristlets, baby and wedding items, and home décor, all made in Portland.

Orange and white polka dot pillow cover

Cozy Coterie, etsy.com.

This decorative 16-inch pillow cover is great for adding a bit of Halloween spirit to your home. Portlander Allyson Moore makes the pillow cover with 100 percent cotton fabric, and it's pretreated and washed to prevent any puckering.

Waterproof tablecloth in chevron

Ladybug Layne, etsy.com.

This laminated cotton tablecloth ($45) is practical and festive, making it the perfect addition to any party. It allows you to serve cocktails and food without the fear of spills, and also makes for easy cleanup after pumpkin carving. Lindsay Kubin, owner and designer of Ladybug Layne, opened her business on Etsy in 2010 and makes smocks, aprons and tablecloths in her Sherwood studio. 

WWeek 2015