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Goofy Spooks Halloween Cake
By Amanda Formaro
You don't have to be a master chef to
create a fun and festive Halloween cake that your kids will love. Try
this easy recipe for success!
Cake decorations:
1 box chocolate or yellow cake mix (ingredients needed will vary per brand,
usually eggs, oil, and water)
cinnamon red hots
Cherry Heads (or other round red candies)
miniature marshmallows
licorice vines; cut into two inch lengths
miniature chocolate chips
gum drops
orange jellied candies
large marshmallows
raisins
Frosting:
6 tbsp butter or margarine
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 2/3 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup milk
Instructions:
Prepare cake as package directs. While cake is baking, prepare frosting and
decorations (below).
Frosting:
Cream butter and vanilla in a small bowl with mixer and medium-low speed.
Mix until completely creamed together. Alternating, add cocoa and confectioner's
sugar, beating at medium speed until creamy. Add some of the milk with the
remaining sugar and cocoa until you reach desired consistency. You will use
all the cocoa and sugar, but may not use all the milk, depending on your
desired consistency. Set aside.
Decorating the Cake:
When cake is completely cooled, pour
the frosting on top and spread evenly. Carefully place your critter decorations
(below) on top of the frosting and press down gently to set. Get ready for
some happy faces!
Preparing the Decorations:
The key here is to use your imagination. We have given you a few examples,
but create whatever critters you like!
INCH WORMS
Using 5 gumdrops and two cinnamon hots per worm, line up the gumdrops, one
in front of the other. Use a toothpick to create indentations in the leading
gumdrop. Insert cinnamon hots for eyes.
ANGRY EYES
Place two large marshmallows next to each other, on end. Place a cinnamon
hot in the center of each marshmallow for eyeball. Using two 2-inch long
licorice vines, create angry eyebrows over the cinnamon hots.
SPYING EYES
Use miniature marshmallows for the eyes and miniature chocolate chips for
the eyeballs. Use a toothpick to create a little hole in each marshmallow
top, then insert the pointed side of the chocolate chip into the
marshmallow.
CREEPY CRAWLIES
Using a toothpick, poke three holes completely through the sides of an orange
jellied candy. Insert licorice vines for legs, poking through the other side
and pulling them through. Use toothpick to create small holes in "head" and
insert two miniature chocolate chips as eyes.
GOOFY EYES
Stand two large marshmallows on end, top with cinnamon hots or raisins for
eyeballs, in cross-eyed fashion.
MARSHMALLOW SPIDER
Place large marshmallow on it's side. Use a toothpicks to poke three holes
on each side of marshmallow to insert legs. Use licorice vines for legs,
gently press into the holes. Use two miniature chocolate chips for eyes.
BUG EYES
Stand two large marshmallows on end, top with Cherry Heads for eyeballs.
SKULL
Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut a large marshmallow in half lengthwise.
Cut triangular slits out of sides to create jawbone effect. Use toothpick
to insert holes for eyes, use miniature chocolate chips. Cut a small piece
off of a licorice vine for straight mouth, and a tiny piece for nose. Use
a miniature marshmallow for the neck.
MUMMY IN A COFFIN
Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut a large marshmallow in half lengthwise,
but not completely. Unfold the marshmallow and lay it down, open side up
to create the coffin. Use a miniature marshmallow for the head, and body.
Cut up a miniature marshmallow for the arms and legs. Use small pieces of
licorice vine for the mouth and eyes.
About the Author
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial
mother of four children. She and her husband live in southern Nevada. She
is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
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You don't have to be a master chef to
create a fun and festive Halloween cake that your kids will love. Try
this easy recipe for success!
Decorating the Cake:
When cake is completely cooled, pour
the frosting on top and spread evenly. Carefully place your critter decorations
(below) on top of the frosting and press down gently to set. Get ready for
some happy faces!
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Growing and Using Garlic Chives
The Perfect Porch Swing