Derived from All Souls’ Day, an ancient ritual in honoring the dead, Halloween has evolved throughout centuries and continues to reign high among the nation’s favorite holidays. From creative costumes to blood chilling haunted houses, Halloween truly has something to offer for everyone. However, many argue that the delicious selection of candy and sweets are truly the epitome of Halloween. Snickers, M&Ms, Kit Kats, and candy corn are just a few of the sweet Halloween favorites that are greatly consumed every October 31st. However, if you’re planning to have friends over for the night, these two delicious recipes will allow you to ditch the usual bowl of candy and get creative with some fun, festive ideas. If you are going over to somebody else’s house, bring over some spooky treats, to amp up the Halloween spirit!
Below is a recipe for pumpkin spice cupcakes, which are both delicious and versatile, as you can be creative with the decorations.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
INGREDIENTS:
For the Cupcakes: 4 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 Tablespoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 2½ cups packed light-brown sugar 4 large eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1½ cups canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 pound (4 cups) confectioners’ sugar, sifted ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract; Food dyes for coloring frosting.
DIRECTIONS:
To Make the Cupcakes:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.
2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and beating until just combined. Add pumpkin; beat until just combined.
3. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes.
4. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool 10 minutes; turn out cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely. Cupcakes can be refrigerated up to 3 days in airtight containers.
5. To finish, use an offset spatula or a pastry bag fitted with a decorated tip to top the cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
To Make the Frosting:
1. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and cream cheese until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Reduce speed to low. Add sugar, ½ cup at a time, and then vanilla, and mix until smooth and combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
3. Separate the frosting in different bowls and add preferred colors of food
dye to each bowl and mix thoroughly.
If you are looking for a quicker and easier treat to assemble, this may be the recipe for you. These easy spidery peanut t butter cups are sweet and spooky and will definitely earn praise among your friends and family.
Spider Peanut Butter Cups
INGREDIENTS:
REESE’S Peanut Butter Pumpkins(1.2 oz. ea.)
Large pretzel twists(2-1/2 to 3 in.)
1/4 cup HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Chips, HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips*
Mini marshmellows
DIRECTIONS:
1. Line tray or cookie sheet with waxed paper. Remove wrappers from desired number of peanut butter pumpkins. For each spider, cut 8 matching curved sections from pretzels which will form the legs. Set aside remaining pretzels pieces.
2. Place milk chocolate chips in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth when stirred. Transfer to small heavy duty plastic food storage bag. Cut off one corner of bag about 1/4 inch from the tip.
3. For each spider, place peanut butter pumpkin on prepared tray. Attach pretzel legs and marshmallow “eyes” to spider with melted chocolate; place dot of melted chocolate on each eye. Allow chocolate to set before moving spiders.
Makes about 8 spiders.
These recipes are both enjoyable and original, and will certainly boost your Halloween spirit. Overall, have a sweet Halloween Sea Kings!
