If, like us, you fear your Halloween costume is not clever or ironic enough this year, simply distract your fellow partygoers by making your own candy. Alexandra Vallis talked up some local pastry chefs until they were willing to share their sweet secrets. So forget about the paper-plate mask. Instead, make chocolate white-sesame buttercups from Kyotofu or the cracklike chocolate-covered toffee with pumpkin seeds and sea salt from Gramercy Tavern. Though we've always been faithful to Snickers, it's never been so easy to stray.

Recipes: Not Your Neighbor's Candy [NYM]