The Pastry Tip: October 2012

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Day of the Dead Dessert Table

The whole dessert table decorated in bright colors.

Spicy Chocolate Cupcakes

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate morsels ½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup 100% cacao cocoa powder ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup boiling water 1 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 cups all purpose flour 2 large eggs

1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with paper liners; set aside.

In a small metal bowl, combine bittersweet chocolate, cocoa powder, and boiling water; stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Let cool.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt; set aside.

Using the large bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter until creamy, Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla, with mixer at low speed, alternately add flour mixture and chocolate mixture, beginning and ending with flour; mix well. Use batter scoop to fill prepared muffin cups about two-thirds full.

Bake in 350 oven for 15 to 18 minutes for regular cupcakes and 11 - 13 minutes for mini or until center springs back when pressed. Cool on wire rack. Makes 12 regular and 24 mini cupcakes. Let cool and frost with icing of your choice.

Sugar molded cupcake pedestal.

Halloween bark in party cups

Bark is made in a jelly roll pan and broken into pieces. Melt 1 pound of chocolate and top with coarsely chopped candy of your choice. Chill for an hour. I used pretzels, candy corn M&Ms and mini Reese's peanut butter cups, 1/2 cup of each. The top was drizzled with about 3 ounces of yellow candy coating melted in a disposable pastry bag.

Fun paper hat crafts made from the printable set.

Coffin cookies wood grain texture mat applied to fondant.

Chocolate skull pops made from a mold.

Mini sugar skulls

Coffin favor boxes filled with chocolate covered pretzels.

Who doesn't want a coffin party favor?

Printables etsy.com/shop/happythought

Silicone molds provided by decoratethecake.com

Also featured on Catch My Party

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Halloween Night Dessert Table

This Halloween Dessert Table has a vintage feel with the dark backdrop and the Man in

the Moon cake as a centerpiece. The movie Hugo showcased the black and white French film "Voyage to The Moon." It is known as the first science fiction film ever made. The iconic scene of the moon in that film really stuck with me and it was the inspiration for this cake. I vividly remember trick or treating under the light of the moon with nothing but the sounds of the night and the distant shouts of other children. It is a tradition that seems to be slowly fading away. I tried to capture the feel of those dark fall nights here.

Plastic pumpkins adorn the chocolate cupcakes with

marshmallow frosting.

Spice donuts with vanilla bean frosting are sweet but a welcome alternative to candy.

The fondant face is hand sculpted with details painted and dusted. While fondant is still fresh, it can be molded if you work quickly.

I found the vintage sign holders on etsy.

The mini artist canvases are from Michael's. They make a good base for the candy labels.

I remember when trick or treating meant a bag of candy, not just one little piece!

These cookies were fun to make they stand out against the orange pearls.

I stamped the crow and cut around it with a sharp knife.

The cameos are made from silicone molds. Putting them in the freezer for about 5 minutes makes for easier release and ensures the details come through.