Halloween

If Christmas is the consolation prize for the coldest and darkest time of year, Halloween comes along just in time to distract us from mourning summer’s end. My kids love any excuse to dress up and enjoy some themed eating, and never more so than at Halloween. There was a time when I was a bit sceptical of the Americanisation of All Hallows, but I’ve decided it’s best not to fight it – give in to the kitschness and go all out with pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and ghost stories.

Round our way, trick or treating has become a bit of a competitive sport with the Mums all trying to out-do each other in the treat stakes. Luckily I’ve already made my trip to Festival Place, so I will be well and truly prepared when the doorbell rings (providing I can keep the chocolate hidden away from Mr B in the meantime…).  We’ve always drawn straws to see who has to brave the cold with our be-costumed little ones, but this year we’ve got it sussed. We’re hosting a Halloween party for the parents so that we can all share the pain in shifts.

Ghostly pumpkin cupcakes

When I started making these cakes it was with the children’s treat bags in mind, but they’re now destined for the adults' party. Why should kids have all the fun?!

Makes 8

85 g soft light brown sugar

1 large egg

75 ml sunflower oil

85 g wholemeal flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp mixed spice

1 orange, zest finely grated

100 g pumpkin or butternut squash, grated

60 g mixed dried fruit

For the meringue ghosts:

2 large egg whites

a pinch of cream of tartar

125 g caster sugar

1 tbsp melted dark chocolate

Plus the gloopy stuff of your choice to attach the meringue: chocolate spread, marmalade, lemon curd, etc.

-          First make your ghosts. Preheat the oven to 110⁰C (100⁰ fan) / gas ½.

-          Whisk the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric whisk until they form stiff peaks (the cream of tartar helps to stabilise them, so you don’t have to worry about over whisking – give it some welly!).

-          With the blades running, slowly add the sugar then carry on whisking until it’s really stiff and shiny. When you turn off the whisk and lift it up the meringue should stay up in a sturdy stalagmite, otherwise keep whisking!

-          Spoon the meringue into a piping bag and pipe it into 8 swirls on a baking tray lined with a non-stick mat.

-          Bake the meringues for 1 hour 15 minutes or until they have completely dried out. Leave to cool on the tray.

-          For the cakes, preheat the oven to 190⁰C (170⁰ fan) / gas 5 and line a cupcake tin with 8 paper cases.

-          Whisk the sugar, eggs and oil together for 3 minutes until thick.

-          Fold in the flour, baking powder and cinnamon, followed by the orange zest, pumpkin and sultanas.

-          Divide the mixture between the paper cases, then transfer the tin to the oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

-          The cakes are ready when a skewer inserted comes out clean.

-          Transfer the cakes to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

-          Put 2 tsp of the chocolate spread into a paper piping bag and snip off the end. Pipe eyes and mouths onto the ghosts. Use the rest of the chocolate spread to top the cupcakes and position a ghost on top of each one.

You can pick up all the ingredients for this recipe at M&S in Festival Place.

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Halloween treat run down

TK Maxx have a great range of Halloween foam sweets and chocolates, many of which are now at special discounted prices in the run up to 31^st. You can also pick up some great children’s costumes and hats while you’re there.

M&S have everything you need for a Halloween party from creepy cupcake wraps to Halloween paper cups and plates, plus a brilliant pumpkin piñata ready for you to fill with spooky treats. Everything in their Halloween decorations range is currently 3 for the price of 2 and you can also order online and pick up in store.

Hotel Chocolat have gone all out this year with Boo! Boxes, Halloween Bites, the very cute chocolate Count Nibblia and more. My treat or treating best buy has to be their Trick or Treat Box though: 64 individually-wrapped scary chocolate shapes. Job done!

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Will you be spending Wednesday night trick or treating or do you have other festivities planned? Is pumpkin pie your favourite Halloween food or will you be cooking up something spookier this year?

Happy nibbling!

Fiona B x