no tricks, just treats!

solving crime on crutches

Happy Halloween kiddos!  I hope you all had a fabulously spooky day filled with candy and creepiness.  Today, while dressed as Nancy Drew and the (Fall Down the) Hidden Staircase, I bribed the kids in the library to be quiet with trick or treat candy.  It didn't work but it was ok because I they all seemed so psyched for the holiday that a little excess noise wasn't too big an issue.  In a bit, I'll be doing a quick costume change and whipping up a batch of icing to top off some spooktacular cupcakes I baked for tonight's party.  Imagine an itty bitty jack-o-lantern filled with chocolate, coated in a spicy, creamy icing and topped off with a sweet and chewy candy - that's what my double chocolate pumpkin cupcakes are!  I'll have them to share at the Halloween festivities taking place at K&M tonight so put on your best costume and come out to enjoy some great bands, good music, strong brews and tasty treats with me and the gang!

double chocolate toil & trouble cupcakes
ingredients
1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
1 c heavy cream
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 c cake flour (not self rising)
2/3 c cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick (1/2 c) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 c mini chocolate chips
directions

what's scary is having to ice all these suckers...
 thanks for the help isabelle!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and line cupcake tins, a lot of cupcake tins (this makes about 50 mini cupcakes!)  In the bowl of your mixer, blend butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, cream and vinegar.  In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda & powder, and salt.  Alternately add the dry and wet mixes to the butter and sugar on a medium speed.  Fold in mini chocolate chips.
3. Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 the way with batter.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.  Ice with pumpkin spice cream cheese icing (recipe follows) and garnish with candy corn.


pumpkin spice cream cheese icing
ingredients
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cloves
1 1/2 c confectioners sugar
16 oz cream cheese
orange food coloring
directions
1. Blend all ingredients in the bowl of your mixer on a medium speed until light and fluffy.  Chill until ready to use.

Kind of makes you want to come out and party with me just so you can indulge in the treats, doesn't it? Well, if you're lucky, you might just get your very own batch of deliriously delicious baked goodies from me... if you enter the costume contest!  Have you submitted your best Halloween look yet?  I can't wait to see what y'all come up with!  Happy Spooky Spooky Day!