Thursday, November 3, 2011

Halloween Round Up

Halloween is almost upon us!  I’m sure there will be great sights and frights over the weekend, as little ghosts and goblins start to appear.  So I thought we’d wrap up with week with some of my favorite Halloween sweets, styles and treats for the year.  From gothic glam to wicked fun and creepy-crawly things that go bump in the night… it’s a Black and White Halloween Round UP!


Black & White Glam Halloween Ideas


Add a touch of gothic glam to your Halloween with these black and white glamorous finds:

Nothing says Halloween glam like black lace!  THE original black lace cake by the Cakegirls still reigns supreme in my book.  Replicated many times in many ways, it instantly became a classic.  {Sending a little love out to Mary and Brenda who are working to bring their business back to life after a fire destroyed their shop.  We’re all anxiously awaiting the return of THE ultimate Cakegirls!}Put down the knife and grab a paintbrush to create these bold, graphic pumpkins.  Learn how to make your own black and white painted pumpkins HERE at Country Living.It’s not too late to BOO your neighbors!  Don’t worry, Halloween BOO-ing is a good thing!  Download this ultra-glam, black and white BOO sign HERE at The TomKat Studio, for FREE!

Black & White Wicked Witch Halloween Ideas


Ready for a little wicked fun?  These bewitching Halloween treats will leave you spellbound.

Every cupcake needs a costume, and this one definitely seemed to be a hit!  Had to include our Cupcake Liner Witch Hats that went viral on Pinterest.  So break out your scissors, extra baking liners and get started!  Find our super easy tutorial HERE on Half Baked.A witch’s spells are pulled from her book and transformed in to a captivating paper wreath.  Created by Southern Belle’s Charm for a Bewitching Halloween Party by Frog Prince Paperie.  See the enchanting dessert table and wickedly mod cake HERE.  See the entire party HERE.Once again, we’re mesmerized by the clever craftiness of Sweet Sugarbelle.  These witch-y cookies have us charmed!  Learn how to make these Leggy Little Witch Cookies HERE.

Black & White Creepy Crawly Halloween Ideas


It’s not Halloween without some creepy, crawling things that go bump in the night…

These pitch-black macaroons by Les Madeleines look sinfully good.  Created for an playfully fun Itsy Bitsy Spider Party by Bump Smitten.Long legged spiders dusted onto black whoopie pies, served up on a cobweb… it doesn’t get much better than these creepy-crawly treats created for an Itsy Bitsy Spider Party by Bump Smitten.  See the full party HERE on HWTM.Eerie little eyes are watching you… BOO!  These black and white cookies by Glorious Treats are frightfully fun!  Learn how to make these elegant but spooky Halloween goodies HERE.

Hope you have a spook-tactular Halloween weekend filled with adorable costumes, delicious treats and some good frights!  Happy Friday!


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Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Today is a day for thrills and chills as the ghosts, goblins and ghouls make their appearance.  I thought we’d take a moment to enjoy this hauntingly fun day with something a little different.  Frightfully eerie with his long, black hooded cloak and his pale skeletal figure, this guy is creeeeep-y!  Be afraid, be very afraid.  We all know who he is and exactly what he wants.  He’s The Reaper and he’s come for…. the CAKE!  Enjoy this humorously dark Grim Reaper Cake by Jamie Hoffman of Yuma Couture Cakes.


Grim Reaper Halloween Cake


Jamie shared a few thoughts  about her creation:


“The reaper was constructed with many thin and ripped sheets of fondant draped over a wire armature that I constructed.  The inside was hollow to make it as light as possible, but it was still very heavy.  Once it was all set up and dry, I airbrushed it black. The hands, scythe and cake are all hand made from gumpaste, and painted with edible markers and gel color. The message on the front of the tier (which was a 12? round for scale) was etched in over the black airbrushed surface, with q-tips and vodka.”


Grim Reaper Cake for Halloween


Make no bones about it, that little skeletal hand is amazingly frightful!  Good thing this Grim Reaper has his eye on the cake because he is spooooky!  A huge thank you to Jamie Hoffman for sharing her eerie Grim Reaper Cake with us.  He is the perfect Halloween treat!


Hope your Halloween is brewing with fun.  While you eat, drink and be scary… remember to be safe!  Happy Halloween everyone!


Vendors & Credits:
Cake: Yuma Couture Cakes


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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese

Our cupcake contributor, Lauren of Crave. Indulge. Satisfy, is helping us transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving!  And she’s bringing along the pumpkins…


With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about a special dessert to accompany your big turkey feast!  During the fall my pantry is always stocked full of pumpkin as my go to ingredient.  I have about 12 cans on hand right now!  Pumpkin is such a great ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes.  So this year, why not branch out from the standard pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread and mix up a batch of Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting.  I guarantee all of your turkey day guests will just gobble these right up!
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese


These pumpkin cupcakes are smacked full of fall flavors featuring cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  The cupcakes are paired with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting which is the perfect compliment to the cinnamon flavor in the cakes. I guarantee you won’t just be eating one of these at a time. Afterall, Thanksgiving is a time to indulge in all your favorite foods…so save room for dessert!


Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese


Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese


If you are worried about having too many things to whip up for your holiday meal, these cupcakes are super moist and can be made a day ahead of time. I do recommend waiting to make the icing until the day you plan to serve.  I love how you can see the specs of cinnamon throughout the icing, not to mention the taste is amazing!  I hope you are inspired to try these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese this year!


Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese
(makes 30 cupcakes)


For the cake:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with cupcake liners.In large bowl combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.In bowl of stand mixer cream butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy.Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.Add dry ingredients and milk, alternating until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl as necessary.Mix in pumpkin puree.Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter.Bake for 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.Let cupcakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling.Once cupcakes are completely cool frost with Cinnamon Cream Cheese icing.

For the icing:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

In bowl of stand mixer beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well combined.Gradually add in confectioner’s sugar one cup at a time, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.Add vanilla and cinnamon and mix until combined.Place icing in piping bag fitted with a large round tip and frost cupcakes.

Hope you enjoy this pumpkin inspired recipe! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

Lauren Kapeluck from Crave.Indulge.Satisfy.Lauren is a regular contributor for Half Baked. She is a self-taught baker and lover of all things sugar. Read more about Lauren on her bio page.

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Monday, October 31, 2011

Wilton Cars Cake Pan

Wilton Cars Cake PanPut your party on the fast track to success, featuring the stars of Disney/Pixar TM Cars! Your party will be a joy ride when you serve a cake starring Lightening McQueen! All the fun details you love on the big screen are here. Wilton makes it easy to create amazing cakes with lightening speed.

Price: $14.49


Click here to buy from Amazon

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Wilton Dinosaur Shaped Pan

Wilton Dinosaur Shaped PanOur prehistoric party pal has a fun-loving look that's just right for kids birthdays, school functions and animal-themed celebrations

Price: $12.99


Click here to buy from Amazon

Stainless Steel Cake Tester - 8"

Stainless Steel Cake Tester - 8This all stainless steel cake tester has a tear drop handle and is 8 inches in length. Dishwasher Safe.

Price:


Click here to buy from Amazon

Baker's Secret Basics Nonstick 8-Inch Round Cake Pan

Baker's Secret Basics Nonstick 8-Inch Round Cake PanBaker's Secret Non Stick Basics 8-Inch Round Cake Pan includes 1-Each 8-Inch round cake pan. Baker's Secret? is the original non-stick metal bakeware that performs great from start to finish. Baker's Secret is the metal bakeware consumers rely on for all their baking needs because it provides even baking results, easy release of baked goods and effortless cleanup.

Price: $4.69


Click here to buy from Amazon