Whether it’s traditional British food or ghastly good grub, Harry Potter and his friends eat a lot in the book series by J.K. Rowling.

It’s not difficult to make many of the foods mentioned in the books – and it would be a perfect way to spend a lazy summer afternoon or prepare for a Harry Potter party.

Here are some recipes provided by several of the dozens of Web sites dedicated to Hogwarts food. Enjoy!

Treacle tarts

2 ounces fresh white bread crumbs

Finely grated rind of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 short crust pastry (or unbaked pie crust)

6 tablespoons golden syrup (or light molasses or honey)

Put the syrup into a saucepan with the bread crumbs, lemon rind and juice, and heat gently until just melted. Cool.

Roll out the dough and use to line an 8-inch pie plate. Pour in the syrup mixture.

Roll out the dough trimmings and cut into long, narrow strips. Arrange them in a lattice pattern over the filling.

Bake in a moderately hot oven (400 degrees) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is slightly browned.

Serve hot or cold.

source: www.budget101.com

Cauldron cakes

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix eggs, sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla in large mixing bowl on whip for 2 minutes.

Mix other solid ingredients and milk in gradually in the large mixing bowl. Put batter in muffin tins (Do not fill too high – these cakes should be semi-flat.) Bake 25 minutes.

Decorate with sprinkles and frosting if desired. These cakes go well with honey.

source: www.recipezaar.com

Pumpkin pasties

1 18-ounce package pre-made cookie dough

1 28-ounce can pumpkin pie filling

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut cookie dough into 12 equal pieces and press into the cups of a muffin tin, making sure to go up the sides.

Fill with pumpkin pie filling. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Remove and let cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and pie spice.

source: www.budget101.com

Licorice wands

Black or red licorice sticks

White chocolate candy melts

Sprinkles (optional)

Melt the white chocolate according to the instructions. Take a licorice stick and dip it into the white chocolate, to make a wand handle. Cover with sprinkles, if desire.

Set the hollow licorice stick over a wooden skewer so the chocolate handle hardens straight at room temperature.

source: www.thatsmyhome.com

Dragon snot

8 ounces lemon-lime soda

1 scoop lime sherbet

Place sherbet in a glass, and pour on soda. The sherbet will cause the soda to bubble up. Serve with a spoon.

source: www.recipezaar.com

Cockroach clusters

12 ounces chocolate chips

1 teaspoon grated chocolate

1 cup raisins

2 cups thin pretzel sticks, broken into 1-inch pieces

Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Continue microwaving in 15-second increments until chocolate is almost completely melted.

Remove from microwave and stir grated chocolate into melted chocolate. Stir in raisins and pretzels.

Drop mixture by tablespoons onto wax paper. Let stand until firm. Makes about 35 clusters.

source: www.razzledazzlerecipes.com

Bakewell pudding

8 ounces puff pastry

1/2 cup strawberry jam

4 egg yolks

2 egg white

4 ounces butter

4 ounces sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

Lay the pastry out on the bottom of a pie plate. Layer the jam on thickly. Cream together egg yolks, egg whites, butter, sugar and almond extract. Spread this over the jam.

Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Then, cook at 350 degrees for another 20 minutes. The pudding will remain soft when eaten.

source: www.bellaonline.com

Pumpkin juice

1/2 cup regular instant tea powder

1 cup orange-flavored breakfast drink powder

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Measure all ingredients into a small jar or vacuum-seal bag and seal.

To use, mix two or three heaping teaspoons of mix into a mug of hot water. Stir well. Serve hot or chill in refrigerator and serve with ice cubes.

source: www.budget101.com