Candy Corn Cupcakes

This time of year candy corn is as abundant as the yellow leaves sprinkling the sidewalks. What is it about the kernel shaped candies that we love so much? The fall colors, the taste of pure sugar, or the reminder that Halloween is just around the corner?

Since I always seem to have an abundance of candy corns around this time of year, I decided to try baking with them! Generally I use candy corn as a decoration, but why not put them in the batter?

For this baking adventure, I used a vanilla cake recipe, but you could go the easy route and use your favorite boxed vanilla cake mix. You will also need about 2 - 2 1/2 cups of candy corns.

1. Mix your cake batter (box or from scratch) and set aside.
2. Chop the candy corn. The first time I tried this, I used my mini Cuisinart food chopper but it was really more hassle than it was worth. I would recommend just chopping the candy with a sharp knife by hand. Be prepared though, it's a sticky job!
3. Pour the chopped candy corn into the batter and stir until well mixed.
4. Divide evenly amongst cupcake liners and bake as directed.

Don't be alarmed if the tops of your cupcakes brown a bit more than you are used to - it's all the extra sugar we have from the candy corns! Once they are done, set them aside to cool for at least 30 minutes before you start decorating.

Have fun decorating your candy corn cupcakes - the possibilities are endless!

PS - For some more candy corn fun, I happened upon the most adorable candy corn costume I've ever seen. Pretty Kitty Knitty City scored some serious "cool mom" points with this one!

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Spook-tacular Cakes & Candy Corn

Bakers - we're back! And just in time for Halloween :)

A lot has happened in the last year since we wrote, but for now we're getting right down to creating some "spook-tacular" cupcakes.

These decorations can top any flavor (from scratch or a box) cake, but work best with a white icing.

Once you've baked your cupcakes and let them cool, ice them with an offset spatula creating a flat top of icing. Next take black (or any other desired color) icing and pipe thin circles in a bullseye pattern. Then, using a toothpick, gently drag from the center outwards. Repeat all around the circle and you will end up with a beautiful spider web pattern!

Need to punch up the dessert table at your Halloween party even more? Wilton has a fun assortment of wrappers and picks to take a no-frills cake to a frightfully delicious one!

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