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