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Slice, Slice, Cupcake! Michael Meyers Halloween Cupcakes to Die For (Literally)

Calling all horror fans and cupcake enthusiasts! Halloween season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with some chillingly delicious treats? Today, we're taking a trip to Haddonfield with a batch of cupcakes inspired by the iconic slasher film, "Halloween."

A Slice of the Night He Came Home:

These cupcakes are a delightful blend of spooky and sweet. Here's how you can bring a bit of Michael Myers' mayhem to your Halloween party:

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

2 cups of White Chocolate - melted

Molds for Halloween face:

Horror Movie Killer Face Silicone Molds for Keychains Michael | Etsy

Black Food Coloring Gel

FOR THE CUPCAKES:

1 1/4 cup of Flour

1 1/2 teaspoons of Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon of Salt

1 cup of Sugar

1/2 cup of Milk

1/4 cup of Vegetable Oil

2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Silk Yogurt

1 Egg

1 Tablespoon of Vanilla

Orange Food Coloring Gel

FOR THE FROSTING:

4 ounces of Cream Cheese - softened

4 Tablespoons of Butter - softened

1 teaspoon of Vanilla

2 Tablespoons of Heavy Cream

4 - 5 cups of Powdered Sugar

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:

Melt the White Chocolate in the Microwave, and fill the halloween Face Molds with the White Chocolate. Place in Freezer for about 10 minutes to quickly set the Chocolate. Place 1 teaspoonful of the Black Food Coloring Gel in a small dish, and mix in 1/2 a teaspoon of the melted White Chocolate, stirring well. Using a small Cookie Brush, paint the outline of the halloween Face mask with the Black Food Coloring Gel/White Chocolate mixture. Let dry for about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Make the Cupcakes:

In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the Sugar, Milk, Oil, Yogurt, Egg, and Vanilla, and mix on low until blended, then mix on medium, until creamy. In a separate bowl, place the Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt, and stir well to blend. Add the Mixer, and blend on Low speed, until mixed, then turn up the mixer, and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl, and blend again until completely smooth.Add about 2 or 3 teaspoons of the orange Food Coloring Gel to the Cupcake Batter, until you have the desired color of Red. Line a 12 count Muffin Tin with Cupcake Liners, and fill the Liners 2/3 of the way full. Bake at 350 for 13 to 15 minutes, or until Cupcake are done, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool.

While Cupcakes are cooling, make the Frosting:

In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, place the softened Cream Cheese, softened Butter, Vanilla, and Heavy Cream, and mix until smooth and creamy. Add the Powdered Sugar about a cup at a time and blend well between additions. Scrape down the Mixing bowl, and blend until smooth. The Frosting should be thick and creamy. If you need to add a little more Powdered Sugar, add about 1/4 cup at a time until you have a thick and creamy Frosting.

When the Cupcakes are completely cool, place the Frosting in a Pastry/Piping bag with the large Star tip, and Pipe the Frosting on the Cupcakes, using a swirling motion around the cupcakes and bringing the Frosting up to a point. Place the halloween White Chocolate Faces in the Frosting and keep refrigerated until time to serve. Serve, and Enjoy!

NOTE: Each Halloween Face Mold makes one Face, so you'll need to order accordingly - you can just order 1 mold, and make the Faces a couple of days ahead, and keep them in the refrigerator until time to use them.

With a little creativity, you can whip up a batch of horror movie cupcakes that are as frighteningly fun to make as they are to devour. So grab your ingredients, turn up the John Carpenter soundtrack, and get ready to bake up a storm! Happy Halloween, and remember... don't eat the last cupcake. Michael might be watching.

Find more Halloween ideas here:

Halloween Trees

Pumpkin Window Clings

Play Doh Ghost Ornaments

Honey Mustard Magic: Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Calling all sandwich lovers! Today, we're taking the classic pulled pork sandwich to a whole new level of flavor with the help of your trusty Instant Pot. This recipe features a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce that infuses the tender pork with deliciousness in no time.

Instant Pot Advantage:

The Instant Pot is a game-changer for busy cooks. It allows you to achieve fall-off-the-bone pulled pork in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. Plus, the pressure cooker helps lock in all the juices, resulting in incredibly flavorful and moist meat.

Honey Mustard Harmony:

The honey mustard sauce is the star of the show. The perfect balance of sweet honey and tangy mustard creates a flavor profile that complements the richness of the pork beautifully. It's a flavor combination that's sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Building the Perfect Bite:

Now, let's talk about the sandwich itself. Pile that juicy pulled pork onto your favorite toasted buns. Add a creamy slaw for a touch of coolness and crunch. Don't forget a drizzle of extra honey mustard sauce for good measure.

Recipe:

Here's what you'll need to create these mouthwatering Honey Mustard Pulled Pork Sandwiches:

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless pork shoulder (butt roast)
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Hamburger buns
Coleslaw (optional)
Extra honey mustard sauce for serving (optional)

Instructions:

Add the chicken broth, Dijon mustard, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
Season the pork shoulder generously with salt and pepper. Place it in the Instant Pot on top of the liquid mixture.
Close the lid and seal the pressure valve. Cook on high pressure for 70 minutes.
Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
Remove the pork from the Instant Pot and shred it with two forks. Discard any excess fat.
Return the shredded pork to the pot with the remaining cooking liquid. Stir to coat the pork in the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Toast your hamburger buns. Pile the pulled pork onto the buns and top with coleslaw and extra honey mustard sauce (if desired).

Tips:

For a thicker sauce, remove some of the shredded pork and set it aside. Bring the remaining sauce in the Instant Pot to a boil and simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. Then, stir the shredded pork back in.
Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

The Takeaway:

This Instant Pot Honey Mustard Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe is a flavor explosion waiting to happen. It's the perfect combination of easy, delicious, and satisfying. So, fire up your Instant Pot, whip up this recipe, and prepare to be amazed!

Find more favorite recipes here:

Foolproof Biscuits

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Instant Pot Peanut Butter Noodles

Spooky Snacks and Sips for Halloween

Halloween night chills the air with anticipation, but it doesn't have to chill your taste buds! This year, conjure up a cauldron of culinary delights that are both wickedly fun and frightfully flavorful. From creepy crawly cocktails to spine-tingling snacks, let's transform your Halloween spread into a haunted haven for the senses.

Set the Stage:

Drape your table in cobweb-like cheesecloth, scatter plastic spiders amongst the treats, and dim the lights for an eerie ambiance. Flickering candles or orange string lights add an extra touch of spooky charm. Don't forget the spooky tunes! A playlist of monster mash-ups and Halloween classics will set the mood for a fang-tastic feast.

Be sure to click through the links to view the full recipes.

Beetlejuice Buttercream Board by Fork to Spoon

This buttercream board is perfect for Halloween parties. Add cookies, pretzels, or whatever you would like to dip in buttercream to the border for a snack that packs a lot of variety into each bite.

Poison Apple Cocktails by Three Olives Branch

This apple cocktail is ghoulishly green but the fun doesn't stop there! It includes a test tube of cinnamon flavored ‘poison’ to add a dark kick. Who will be brave enough to add a poison shot to this drink on Halloween night?

Mexican Chocolate Skull Cakes by My Bueno Cookbook

These skull cakes are loaded with tasty Mexican chocolate for a snack to share that is spooky yet so sweet. Top them with blood red icing if you like or some berry jam!

Alien Brain Hemorrhage Shots by The Littlest Crumb

These shots are so much fun to assemble and slam with your friends. These are freaky, taste fantastic and are sure to make your guests feel just a little apprehensive about drinking them.

Death by Chocolate Cupcakes by Live to Sweet

These look like an average cupcake, so what is so scary about them? They are so good that you will be nothing short of horrified after the last cupcake has been enjoyed!

Bloody Bellinis by Garlic and Zest

This recipe makes the best bellinis! Use a good champagne and fresh cherry juice to get a gorgeous, bloody effect that adds so much flavor to each sip.

Skull Pizzas by Kitchen at Hoskins

This recipe is a total scream! Slice this up for a spooky snack that is so easy to make and always gets a great reaction.

Incredible Hulk Cocktails by A Nerd Cooks

This drink is so much fun for Halloween, it is perfect for the Hulk to sip, but your friends will also love it! It is destined to be a smash at your party

Spooky Spider Dip by Two Healthy Kitchens

Use a favorite dip that always turns out thick, then dress it up with this idea. Pepper slices make the ultimate spider and this is one healthy snack no one can resist!

Elegant Yet Spooky Halloween Charcuterie by Sugar and Charm

This spread of snacks is perfect for a party. It is easy to assemble and with a few skeleton hands placed strategically, this is sure to send a shiver up your spine as you grab a nibble.

Smoking Halloween Punch by A Full Living

Add dry ice to this boozy punch for a fabulous smoking effect. This punch has rum, cranberry juice and apple cider to make a flavorful fall option that everyone will love.

Jack Skellington Dessert Board by A Country Girls Life

This dessert board has a great variety of treats to dip into Jack’s cute frosting face. Add an assortment of cookies, wafers and sweets that pair well with frosting.

Spiderweb Cocktails by Amanda’s Cooking

This spiderweb cocktail recipe is perfect for a Halloween party. It is not only tasty but it has the best web decoration on top of each drink.

Mummy Shortbread Cookies by Pass Me a Spoon

This mummy shortbread cookie is easy and perfect for a party. It is lightly sweet, so buttery and all dressed up in tasty frosting wrappings.

Purple People Eater Cocktails by Everyday Shortcuts

This vibrant purple cocktail is just the thing to make and serve your ghouls, goblins and guests on Halloween night. Garnish with candy eyes for the complete effect.

Skull Charcuterie by Everyday Shortcuts

This idea makes the spookiest snack platter yet. Form a skull shape and add plenty of prosciutto for a meaty main offering that everyone will want to take a crack at.

Black Mojito by The Healthful Ideas

Give your next mojito night a freaky effect with this recipe. It has all of the flavor you crave with a creepy black look to it. Use activated charcoal for an easy way to spooky up your sips.

Remember, the key to a spooktacular Halloween spread is to have fun and unleash your creativity! With a little imagination, you can transform everyday ingredients into hauntingly delicious treats that will have your guests shrieking with delight (and maybe a little bit of fear). So gather your ingredients, put on your spookiest grin, and get ready to whip up a Halloween feast that will be remembered long after the last ghost has flown home.

Find more great Halloween ideas here:

The Easiest Way to Wake Up to Artisan Bread: Overnight Cheddar Loaf

There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen. But who has time to babysit dough all day? This Artisan Cheddar Overnight Loaf is the answer to your bread-loving prayers.

Effortless Elegance:

This recipe takes the concept of "set it and forget it" to a whole new level. Simply mix the ingredients together before bed, let the dough work its magic while you sleep, and wake up to a beautiful golden loaf ready to slice.

Flavor in Every Bite:

Sharp cheddar cheese adds a delightful richness and tang to this artisan bread. Each bite is a perfect balance of savory and wheaty, with a satisfyingly chewy texture.

The Perfect Pairing:

This bread is a true chameleon. Enjoy it warm from the oven with a smear of butter for a simple yet satisfying breakfast. It also makes for the perfect accompaniment to soups, stews, or a cheese board.

Beyond Cheddar:

While the cheddar cheese adds a classic touch, feel free to experiment with different flavors! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Herb Heaven: Add a vibrant mix of chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano for a burst of freshness.
Spicy Surprise: Kick things up a notch with diced jalapenos or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
Nutty Twist: For a touch of texture and richness, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans.

Knead No More:

This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers or anyone who wants delicious homemade bread without the hassle. With minimal effort, you can create a loaf that looks like it came straight out of a fancy bakery.

So ditch the store-bought bread and embrace the ease of overnight artisan bread. This Cheddar loaf is the perfect way to elevate your meals and impress your friends and family with your baking skills – all thanks to a little planning and a whole lot of flavor.

Artisan Dutch Oven Cheddar Bread

Ingredients:

3 c flour

1 1/2 c warm water

1 package of rapid rise yeast

2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

a pinch of salt

Pour flour into a large mixing bowl.

Add salt, yeast and cheese to the flour.

Stir to incorporate the ingredients.

Pour in warm water. The ideal temperature for yeast is no hotter than 110 degrees. A good way to tell if your water is too hot is to test it as you would a baby bottle.

Stir to mix.

The dough will be sticky and shaggy.

There is no need to knead this dough. Let it sit on the counter to rise. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap.

You can let this dough rise for as little as 2 hours, or as long as 10 hours.

When you are ready to bake the bread, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Butter a dutch oven lightly around the bottom and the sides near the bottom of the dish.

Bake the dutch oven, with no dough for 30 minutes.

Keep in mind, the dutch oven will be HOT! Remove it from the oven.

With a mixing spoon, plop the dough out of the bowl and right into the hot dutch oven.

Smooth the dough around with the mixing spoon so it covers the bottom.

Stick the lid on it and bake at 425 for 30 minutes.

Remove the lid and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes so the crust is golden and crisp.

Allow the bread to cool in the dutch oven for 10 minutes.

Carefully remove from the dutch oven and slice.

Enjoy with butter if desired.

This bread slices beautifully; a pro tip is when you are ready to slice, flip the loaf upside down and slice with a serrated knife.

This bead is best enjoyed within 3 days. Store the leftovers in an airtight container.

Find other favorite recipes here:

Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

Best Dinner Rolls

Coco Puffs French Toast

Sweet Fritter Recipes

Sweet Dreams are Made of Fritters: Delicious Treats for Any Occasion

Fritters: those fluffy, golden pillows of fried dough aren't just for savory snacks! This post celebrates the delightful world of sweet fritters, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or adding a touch of whimsy to brunch or dessert.

Beyond the Donut: A Fritter History

Fritters have a rich history dating back to ancient Rome. These early versions were often simple, made with basic ingredients like flour, water, and honey. Over time, cultures around the world embraced the fritter, adding their own unique flavors and variations. From Italian zeppole to Japanese sakura mochi, fritters offer a glimpse into global sweet treats.

The Sweet Fritter Formula

The beauty of sweet fritters lies in their adaptability. They share a similar foundation to savory fritters: a base of flour, a binding agent (like eggs), and leavening (like baking powder or yeast). But here, sugar takes center stage, creating treats that are both light and satisfyingly sweet.

Fritter Fantasia: A World of Sweet Inspiration

The possibilities for sweet fritters are truly endless! Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:

Fruity Fun: Fresh berries, chopped apples, bananas, or peaches add bursts of juicy sweetness. Dried fruits like cranberries or raisins can also be incorporated.
Chocolate Cravings: Chocolate chips, cocoa powder, or a drizzle of melted chocolate elevate your fritters to decadent heights.
Nutty Delights: Chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds add a delightful crunch and richness.
Spice It Up: A hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom adds warmth and depth of flavor.
The Perfect Pairing: Dust your fritters with powdered sugar, drizzle them with maple syrup or honey, or serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream for an extra special treat.

Frittering Tips for Triumph

Ripeness Matters: Use ripe fruit for the best flavor and texture. Softer fruits like berries can be mixed in, while firmer fruits like apples might need to be chopped or grated.
Temperature is Key: Don't overheat your oil! Aim for a medium temperature to ensure even cooking without burning the outside.
Drainage is Delightful: For fruits with high water content, consider draining any excess juice before adding them to the batter to prevent soggy fritters.
Golden Goodness: Just like with savory fritters, maintain a golden brown color for perfect texture and don't overcrowd the pan.

So ditch the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary world of sweet fritters! With a little creativity and these helpful tips, you'll be whipping up delightful treats that will have everyone asking for more.

Here are some of my favorite sweet fritter recipes from around the web. Be sure to click thru the links to view the full recipes.

Homemade Banana Fritters by Small Town Woman

Apple Ring Fritters by Tikkido

Fritules by Sustain My Cooking Habit

Crispy Banana Fritters by In the Kids Kitchen