Want to impress your guests (especially the kiddies) with a perfect Halloween treat? Try these recipes from Martha Stewart.
Recipe: 'Broken Glass' Cupcakes (on this page) Recipe: Scaredy-Cat Brownies (on this page)For more from Martha Stewart, go to marthastewart.com.
Preheat oven to 350°. Make the cupcakes: Line cupcake tins with baking cups. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ¾ teaspoon salt into a medium bowl. Combine milk and vanilla in a measuring cup.
Beat butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium, and gradually add granulated sugar in a slow, steady stream. Beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
In a clean bowl, whisk egg whites with a mixer on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the whites into the cupcake batter. Fold in remaining egg whites in 2 batches.
Divide batter among baking cups, filling each halfway full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly touched, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely in tins set on wire racks.
Meanwhile, make the caramel: Bring granulated sugar and water to a boil in a small highsided saucepan, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-high, and cook until mixture just starts to turn pale gold around edges. Remove from heat, and immediately pour caramel onto a rimmed baking sheet. Working quickly, tilt pan to spread caramel to edges to make a very thin layer. Let cool to harden.
Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy and spreadable.
Frost each cupcake using an offset spatula. Twist pan to release and break caramel in order for it to resemble broken glass. Place a shard or 2 of caramel “glass” in the center of each cupcake. Drizzle or pipe cherry preserves where caramel has entered the cupcake.
Make ahead: Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Frosting can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Caramel can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 day ; break just before using. Storage Frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Top with caramel shards and cherry preserves just before serving.
Makes 3½ dozen
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly butter an 8-inch square metal baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, sugar, and bittersweet chocolate over medium, stirring frequently, until smooth. Add to flour mixture and stir to combine. Stir in eggs and vanilla, then let cool to room temperature, 10 minutes.
Transfer batter to pan. Press 16 peppermint patties evenly into batter and, with a small offset spatula, evenly spread batter to completely cover patties.
Bake until cake is puffed and just set, about 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack, 25 minutes, then top with 16 peppermint patties. Let cool 25 minutes more, then decorate peppermint patties with candy eyes and chocolate chip ears. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, 5 minutes. Using parchment, lift cake from pan and cut into 16 squares. Decorate with icing pens.
Place peppermint patties on warm, not hot, brownies so they soften but do not melt.
Makes 16 brownies
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