Witches Hats And Cauldrons

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!!!

This haunting,fun-filled day is amongst us. Time to let loose and let that creativity fly. Take a chance and be bold this season. This year make your own spooky costume, be the first to host a Halloween party or even volunteer in a community event. There is always so much to get involved in on Halloween night. However, the best way to celebrate Halloween is by creating these delicious creepy cupcakes. Witches hats and cauldrons to be precise.

So go on, you know you want too. You can't say no to making moist rich chocolate cupcakes with deliciously creamy buttercream frosting, can you?. It' such a simple recipe with the freedom to do just about anything you want in the decorating department.Also it's a great recipe for children to get involved in. There's definitely no wrong way to decorate a cupcake, especially when its Halloween.

These witches' hats and cauldrons are adorably creepy,Its a great fit for this year. My nephew even calls them pumpkins so that makes it extra cute.  So take a BOO at the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments.

Be Safe And Fly!!

Rich Chocolate Cupcakes

1/2 cup unsalted softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs, separated

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

3 squares (1 oz/30 g) unsweetened chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 375 F and line a 12 muffin cup pan.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together, until fluffy. 

In a small bowl, separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. Setting the egg whites aside. Beat egg yolks well with a fork and add to the creamed mixture, beating until light and fluffy.

In a medium bowl, Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

Melt the 3 squares of unsweetened chocolate by placing it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 20-30 interval, until fully melted, stirring between each time.

Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Always beginning and ending with the dry mixture. 

 Once well blended, add the chocolate and vanilla extract, mix well.

Place egg whites in a medium bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.

Tip: Egg whites can be made up before adding the flour mixture to the creamed mixture. I found the time between mixing all the batter and then proceeding with the egg whites, the batter had become quite stiff. Making folding a little more difficult, but still manageable.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, about three-quarters full. Though I ended up with a baker's dozen of 13.

Bake cupcakes for 20- 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and dry. Cool cupcakes on a wire rack. The egg whites create a sort of meringue top. 

Fluffy Frosting

4 cups confectioner sugar

1/2 cup unsalted softened butter

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

Food Coloring Gel

In a large bowl, beat together confectioner's sugar, softened butter, milk and vanilla extract, until smooth. 

Separate frosting amongst 4 bowls. Colour each frosting with choice of gel food colouring, Using a toothpick or small butter knife to add colour. The more colour you add the darker/vibrant the frostings will be. Mix each bowl of frosting with a spoon.

To pipe on frosting, use a disposable piping bag and choice of tip. Fill each piping bag with frosting as you decorate.

Witches Hats

With a choice of colour, pipe on frosting to cover the top of the cupcake. Then place a fudged lined cookie (Whichever way) slightly angle to the cupcake. Using a small amount of frosting place an unwrapped Hershey kiss to the cookie to create the top of the hat. Then for a small embellishment decorate the hat as you wish. For example, using a small fine tip to pipe a buckle on the hat.

Witches Cauldrons

Using a large piping tip.Pipe along the edge of the cupcake with black frosting to resemble a cauldron. With a choice of colour, for example, green. Pipe inside the center, don't have to be that fancy. Then begin to decorate any way you wish to create your brew. I added mini gummy worms, coloured skulls,  and a variety of sprinkles. If you wish, you can also add shoestring black licorice to create a handle.