Friday, October 31, 2014

Braaaaiiinnnssss...

     


   Happy Halloween!

      Last night I was busy in my laboratory, I mean kitchen, creating cupcakes for a potluck at my son's high school.  Boys. You have to love them.  I got a text yesterday morning asking me if I could "bake 32 of something" for today. He added that it needn't be "anything special." My son, you'd think he'd know better. 

      With the help of my minions, I created these ghoulish brain cupcakes. Perfect for a class full of brainy students!  The red velvet batter makes quite a bloody starting point.  My poor apron came out looking like exhibit "A" after forensic testing!  





Here is what you'll need:



Red Velvet Batter:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 Tbsp red food colouring
2 tsp vanilla extract


  • pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  • mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside
  • in a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy
  • beat in eggs one at a time
  • mix in sour cream, milk, food colour and vanilla 
  • add wet mixture to dry mixture and blend until combined (do not over beat!)
  • scoop into muffin tins lined with paper cups, 2/3 full (makes about 30 cupcakes)
  • bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean
  • cool in pans for 5 minutes, then cool completely before frosting


Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 Tbsp sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar
peach food colouring

  • beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy
  • add sour cream and vanilla
  • add in confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, until well blended and smooth
  • stir in food colouring until you get just the right colour for braaaiiinnnssss!

How to pipe your frosting to look like brains:
thanks Sugarhero



*recipe from allrecipes