Hairy Spider Cupcakes
Ingredients (Makes 10 – 12)
Spider:
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Candy eyes
• Haribo string licorice rolls
Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 2-3 cups icing sugar, sifted
• Pinch of salt
• 2-3 tablespoons whipping cream, if needed
Cupcake:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• cup Cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
• 11⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line muffin tins with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients and lightly stir until combined. In a medium bowl, combine all the wet ingredients using a whisk. Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Mix for 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping the sides and bottom of bowl. Mix for an additional minute on medium speed; don’t worry if the batter looks thin. Divide the batter evenly between the liners and bake cupcakes for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out almost clean. Cool cupcakes on wire racks completely. Meanwhile, start with the frosting.
Frosting Directions:
Whip butter and cream cheese on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until light and creamy. Then add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cream and mix on low speed for 1 minute until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and whip for 2-3 minutes. Frost the cooled-down cupcakes.
To make Spiders:
To make the spiders, top frosted cupcakes with chocolate sprinkles. Unroll licorice rolls and cut them into 2” sections. Lay 6 licorice legs onto each spider, slightly pushing the inner end into the frosting. Top with additional sprinkles and add two candy eyes. To make the eyes stick better, add a small amount of frosting underneath.
Frightfully Delightful Finger Food
Jack O’Lantern Cheeseburgers
Ingredients (Makes 6)
• 6 slices of sandwich cheese
• 500g Mince beef
• 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp Ranch salad dressing
• 1⁄2 tbsp Tomato sauce
• Black pepper to taste
• 6 Hamburger buns
Method:
Heat the grill section in your oven to medium-high heat, 180 to 200 degrees Celsius. Spray the grill rack with nonstick cooking spray or place baking paper onto the rack. Next, combine ground beef with ranch seasoning mix, ketchup, and pepper. Use your hands to mix well. Once mixed, shape the beef into 6 patties. Place the patties on the grill rack to cook. Check intermittently and flip the patties over when brown on top. Cook for approximately 20 minutes until through.
Next, cut the cheese faces. Start by cutting eyes, nose, and mouth shapes out of each cheese slice to create a Jack-o’-lantern effect.
Once the patties are cooked, place the cheese slices on the burgers and grill until the cheese is slightly melted.
Serve on lightly toasted hamburger buns with your favorite toppings.
Grilled Mini Mummy Pizzas
Ingredients (Makes 4)
• 4 pita breads
• 4 teaspoons pizza sauce
• Cheddar or sandwich cheese slices
• 8 black olive slices
Method:
Heat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Place the pita bread on a baking sheet and spread each bread with a teaspoon of pizza sauce or more sauce if desired. Cut the cheese slices into thin strips. Place the strips onto each pita bread at angles so they look like a mummy. Next, place two sliced black olives on each bread. These will create the eyes. Bake each Mini Mummy Pizza for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and begins to turn golden.
