Bunny Cakes

Halloween Oreo Brownies

For some reason I think the Halloween oreo cookies taste better than the regular oreo cookies.  I was thinking that very thought last weekend while I was dunking an oreo into my milk and decided I needed to add them to something.  I was formulating a cookie concoction in my head when the need arose for me to make brownies (yes, that is true, I needed to make brownies).  So...I decided to crush up some Halloween oreos and add them to the top of my brownie batter.  I only covered half the batch of brownies with the oreo crumble in case they turned out horribly wrong.  I was pleasantly surprised when they turned out AWESOME.  They really tasted as good as they looked.  The oreos had a slight burned taste (like golden roasted marshmallows) and added a nice crunch to the brownie.  So next time you need to make brownies, add some crushed up oreos to them!  Project notes: (1) To crush the oreos, placed them in ziploc bag and whack with a wooden spoon.  Try to leave some larger chunks; (2) You may have to bake the brownies with the oreo topping a little longer than usual; (3) Be very careful not to burn yourself on the oreo topping when you take the brownies out of the oven, the oreos will be extra hot and some pieces will be loose; (4) Eat them while they are still warm, they tasted so much better that way.

Here are the brownies before baking.  Another tip is to use Baking Pam to spray your mold, it works much better than regular Pam.

-K

Easy Halloween Treat Containers

If you're like me, then you're already thinking about Halloween.  I've already picked up a giant pumpkin (at the grocery store--couldn't resist) and gotten the boys to commit to this year's costume (let's just hope they don't change their minds).  Of course I have also been stalking my local craft stores to check out their Halloween goodies.  I am happy to report this is a great year for Halloween stickers.  There are some especially nice varieties of raised stickers.  I used some as a quick and easy way to embellish wooden boxes that I had painted orange.  

I got the idea to use the wooden boxes from Martha, the Queen of Halloween, but she has you cut out witches and bats and then apply them to the boxes with a glue stick (if you're interested, here is her template).  However, I think stickers are a much easier way to get a nice look.  The wooden boxes can be found at most craft stores and will cost $1 for a 3-inch box.  To paint them, mix equal parts acrylic orange paint & water (to create a wash), then apply with a foam brush (no need to paint the inside of the box).  Line boxes with wax or parchment paper if you plan on using the containers for food items.

-K

Halloween Goodie Bags

This year instead of passing out treats in the boys' classes, I decided to save our *Halloween Goodie Bags* for the trick-or-treaters who visit our house.  We stuffed the bags with our favorite candies, Japanese gum, Halloween pencils and erasers.  The boys and I set up our usual assembly line and went to work filling the bags.  The time passed by quickly and we all enjoyed the task. 

The bags were hand stamped with Halloween motifs and sayings.  A hole was punched at the top to make room for the pencil.  A Halloween sticker sealed the bags shut.

Happy Halloween!

-K

Halloween Baseball Treats

This Fall the boys tried out a new sport...baseball.  Hubby and I had been discouraging the boys from playing baseball because we had heard warnings of long, endless games.  Since the boys were relentless we gave in, it is the All-American pastime after all.  Happily we all found baseball to be quite enjoyable.  Their team, the Mudcats, started off with a 4 game losing streak, but then turned it around and started beating teams which had crushed them before.  Today is their last game of the season and the day before Halloween, so we thought it would be nice to give their teammates some *Halloween Baseball Treats*.  The treats are M&M tubes with custom labels.  We followed the same method used to make the Uglydoll Table Treats for the boys' 7th birthday party.

The custom labels are just printed out on plain white paper, cut out and then adhered with tape and double-sided tape.  The labels were inspired by the cutest Halloween invitation I spied on Tiny Prints.

-K

Halloween Cupcake Love

Forget the Halloween candy and give me cupcakes instead!  I'd much rather feast on some cakey morsels with creamy, velvety frosting than almost any candy.  I'm sure a lot of you would agree with me.  Here is some yummy *Halloween Cupcake Inspiration*.

There are so many great Halloween cupcakes to share--part of the reason why Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.

-K

Sources: Top Picture (starting at top left going clockwise)--Sprinkles;  Martha Stewart; Holidash; Williams-Sonoma; Martha Stewart; Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes from Martha Stewart.  Bottom Picture (starting at top left going clockwise)-- Nilo's Bake Shop; Vampire Bat Cupcake from Martha Stewart; Ghost Cupcakes from Martha Stewart; Pottery Barn Kids; Brain Cupcakesfrom Martha Stewart; Martha Stewart; Martha Stewart.  What can I say, Martha is the queen of Halloween & cupcakes!

Caramel Apples

The boys love caramel.  They would pick caramel over chocolate any day.  So as a treat to ourselves (I am also a caramel fan) we made *Caramel Apples* last weekend.  I forgot how good they are!  The sweetness of the caramel goes perfect with the crispness of the apple.  I was planning on melting down store-bought caramels, but when I saw how easy Martha's recipe was I decided to make the caramel from scratch.  The only ingredients needed are sugar and heavy cream.  Once the caramel cooled slightly I did the first apple and the boys did the rest (we used petite apples, which made them a lot  more manageable).  We decided three quick caramel coats worked best.  Work fast because after a while our caramel turned a little grainy (I don't think I cooked the sugar long enough).  Overall this was an easy and delicious Fall project.  I can't wait to make them again next year.

-K

Sources: Scalloped Cake Stand from Williams-Sonoma; Halloween Drink Tray from the 2009(?) Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's.

Halloween Cake Inspiration

If you are looking for some *Halloween Cakes Ideas*, then I've got your number...these cakes are ghostly, drippy, spicy, sparkly and creepy.

Best of all, they all look incredibly delicious!

-K

Sources: Top Picture, starting at top left going clockwise: Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Country Living.  Bottom Picture, starting at top left going clockwise:  Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Martha Stewart Living, Williams-Sonoma.

Pumpkin Picking 2010

My favorite pre-Halloween activity is *Pumpkin Picking with the Boys*.  Of course, location is everything.  Our favorite pumpkin farm, Wegmeyer Farms, is picturesque and full of amazing pumpkins.  I honestly could spend all day there.  Of course I would have to come home with a truck full of pumpkins, because I can't resist them.  The boys totally dig it too and show their attachment by referring to it as 'our' Pumpkin Farm. The owners couldn't be nicer, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.  We capped off our day by picking up a Pumpkin Pie on the way home.  The boys looked at me with true love when I announced the new Pumpkin-Pie-on-Pumpkin-Picking-Day tradition.  Its the little things.  I am secretly plotting a return trip before Halloween.  I am sure I will get no complaints from the boys.  Here are some snaps from 'our' Pumpkin Farm...

-K

Happy October!

*October* is finally here.  Time to welcome pumpkins of all sizes and skeletons into your home.  Hang up those spider webs and get ready for Halloween.  I couldn't wait and put out our Halloween decorations last weekend (oops!). 

Sources:  A. Yes, I know skulls were so 2008, but I think these socks from J.Crew are awesome;  B. Knit skull onsie from BabyGap;  C. Halloween Cookie Cutters from Williams Sonoma;  D. Stop by your favorite farm to pick your own pumpkins;  E. Crystal Pebble Bracelet from J.Crew;  F. Clinton Trench from Anthropologie;  G. Black Glass Goblets from Juliska;  H. Pumpkin Treat from Williams Sonoma;  I. The perfect Halloween Cards from the talented Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.

-K

Martha Stewart Crafts - Halloween 2010

Martha just released her *Halloween Collection* for her craft line.  I always look forward to her Halloween craft goods and they instantly get me in the mood for Halloween (even if it is months away).  This year her collection has lots of bright reds, oranges and greens and has a ton of vampire stuff.  I've already started bugging the boys to decide on their costumes so I can contemplate making them.  Looks like they are leaning towards Percy Jackson-like demigods dressed in battle gear.  This is not as easy as last year's costumes and would definitely push my sewing skills to the limit.  We'll see, for now I will continue to contemplate the heavy task, enjoy the last of the summer and head to Michael's with my 40% off coupons so I can stock up on necessary Halloween craft items from Martha.

-K