Sunday, October 9, 2011

Halloween Treat Challenge - Results

It has been a busy couple of days baking. This Halloween Treat Challenge was not an easy one, either. There were many firsts for me: decorating cake pops, sprinkles on truffles, making drinks fancy, and the list goes on.

Without further adieu, here are the results:







What do you think?? 

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Spiderweb Cupcakes

My Halloween Treat Challenge led me to a trip to Michael's and Walmart where I got to stock up for everything I'll need to complete my challenge!



Halloween Treat Challenge Number 1: Spiderweb Cupcakes!

Now this is a challenge for two reasons: It's my first attempt to make chocolate ganache, and the spiderwebs are white chocolate piped on wax paper, frozen and placed on top of the cupcake - something I have never done!!

Since I was more concerned with those two things, I stuck to a basic boxed cake. Dark chocolate cake mix to be exact.


While my cupcakes baked, I worked on my chocolate ganache. Technically, challenge 1. Now, a basic chocolate ganache calls for equal parts heavy cream  and chocolate. The directions I had said to put them in a bowl over simmering water (like a double boiler). It's supposed to melt the chocolate and be a little firm. Mine came out a little soupy...


Soupy...but delicious! And once my cupcakes cooled I dipped them into the chocolate ganache as the frosting. Simply divine.

The final step is tracing out spiderwebs on wax paper. It's really easy. Draw some circles (I made the outer circles a little more spiderweb-like) and then lines through the middle like these:



I placed the spiderwebs on top of the cupcakes, but you can also put it in the cupcake like I did for this one!


I would call Halloween Treat Challenge #1 a success! This weekend I will complete the other challenges.

Let me know what treats you are making for Halloween in the comments! Halloween is one of the best time for fun, easy, decorated treats!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Halloween Treat Challenge

I have been inspired. I have slowly mastered the basic cake pop (yellow cake mix, icing, dipped in white chocolate) and am in need of a challenge.

After bringing in cake pops to work...my co-workers love when I bake...someone sent me a video from Family Circle. The cover of the latest Family Circle magazine has halloween themed cake pops - and a video online of how to make them!


It puts my traditional cake pops to shame. After seeing the video, I thought to myself, "What other Halloween treats are out there I could make??"

So I went on a mission - find halloween themed cookies, cupcakes, apples, brownies, drinks, whatever and attempt to recreate them at home.

My challenge is to create the following in some shape or form:


1) Halloween themed truffles


2) Halloween chocolate covered pretzels


3) Jack-o-latern cocktail/drink



4) Owl whoopie pies/cupcake


5) Spiderweb cupcakes

And of course........


6) Pumpkin/mummy cake pops or truffles

I will be working on this challenge over the weekend, just in time to share tips & tricks on the best and easiest way to make Halloween treats!