(Family Features) For a frighteningly fun time in the kitchen this Halloween, gather your family around the cauldron to create a sweet, spooky dessert. Tricks and treats may provide thrills, but a homemade concoction can be the star of your hauntingly happy evening.

This Ghostly Graveyard Cake takes imagination and creativity from everyone with tombstones, skulls and spooky icing daring all to try a bite. With looks this chilling, it’s a perfect treat to enjoy while watching everyone’s favorite scary movie.

Find more deliciously devious desserts at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Ghostly Graveyard Cake

• 1          box chocolate cake mix
• 10        chocolate creme cookies
• 1          cup black melting chips
• 1          cup red melting chips
• 1          cup heavy whipping cream
• 3          cans buttercream icing
• 1          purple food coloring
• 1          black food coloring
• skull sprinkles
• tombstones and bones candies

1. Prepare cake mix according to package instructions in three 6-inch baking pans. Once baked, allow to completely cool outside of pans.
 
2. In zip-top bag, using rolling pin, crush chocolate creme cookies; set aside.

3. In separate small bowls, add black melting chips and red melting chips.
4. In microwave, heat heavy whipping cream 1 1/2 minutes. Pour half the mixture into one bowl of chips and other half into other bowl of chips. Stir until chips are completely melted; set aside.

5. After cakes cool, on cake board, add small amount of buttercream icing so cake sticks. Using bread knife, level cakes.
6. Place one cake on cake board and add thin layer of icing on top. Place second layer of cake on top and add thin layer of icing on top. Place final layer of cake on top and add thin layer of icing on top. Add thin layer of icing to entire cake. Freeze 15 minutes.
7. In small bowl, mix two parts purple food coloring to one part black food coloring. Ice cake with deep purple icing. Using grooved scraper, scrape along sides of cake. Using angled spatula, smooth top of cake.

8. Add skull sprinkles around edges of cake. Using piping bag with small opening at tip, drip black drip mixture around top edges of cake. Repeat using red drip mixture.


9. Add chocolate creme cookie crumbs to top of cake. Add tombstones and bone sprinkles to top of cake.
 
 

(Family Features) Need a little warming up after a day out in the cold and snow? The McCormick Kitchens are sharing “hug in a mug”-themed desserts perfect for coming together after a day outside in a winter wonderland. Completely customizable, these treats are a delicious way for the whole family to stay warm this winter.

This Fudgy Raspberry Mug Brownie for two is made in the microwave in less than 10 minutes and topped with whipped cream and raspberries. To enjoy cool mint flavor instead, use peppermint and vanilla extracts in place of raspberry.

For more mug dessert recipes – from candy bar blondies to hot chocolate – visit www.McCormick.com and check out McCormick Spice on Facebook and Pinterest.

Fudgy Raspberry Mug Brownie

Servings: 2

• 3 tablespoons miniature chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon milk
• 3/4 teaspoon McCormick Raspberry Extract

1. Microwave chocolate chips and butter in microwavable coffee mug on high 30 seconds or until melted. Stir. Add remaining ingredients; mix well.
2. Microwave on high 45 seconds to 1 minute or until center looks almost set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Note: For a Fudgy Peppermint Mug Brownie, replace Raspberry Extract with 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract and 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract.

Caution: Mug may be hot. Use pot holders when removing from microwave.

(Family Features) Next time you reach for a snack, go for a great-tasting option that delivers on both flavor and nutrition. Sensible snacks can be surprisingly delicious when you choose ingredients wisely.

One pop-ular choice: popcorn. Ideal for between-meal snacking since it satisfies but doesn’t spoil the appetite, popcorn is also the perfect addition to treats such as snack bars and trail mix. The key to smart snacking is finding good-for-you ingredients that make your body healthy and your taste buds happy.

With no artificial additives or preservatives, popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories. The whole grain provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates and contains fiber, providing roughage the body needs in the daily diet.

Find more healthy snack solutions at popcorn.org.

Perfect Popcorn

There’s nothing like the taste of freshly popped popcorn and nothing like the disappointment of burnt popcorn. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect popcorn every time.

• Whether on the stove or in the microwave, popcorn will begin popping in a few minutes.
• When the popping begins to slow, listen until you can count two seconds between pops. Remove the pan from heat or bag from microwave.
• Remember to lift the lid or open the bag away from your face to prevent steam burns.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Corn

Yield: 10 cups

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup crunchy granola
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup walnut halves

1. In bowl, toss popcorn with melted butter.
2. Combine sugar with cinnamon; sprinkle over popcorn. Toss with granola, raisins and walnuts until combined.

Crispy Crunchy Apple Popcorn

Yield: 7 cups

• 6 cups popped popcorn
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups dried apple chips

1. Heat oven to 300° F.
2. Line 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil; butter foil. Spread popcorn in pan and drizzle with melted butter; toss popcorn. Sprinkle popcorn with sugar and cinnamon, and toss again.
3. Bake 7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle apple chips over popcorn and heat an additional 3 minutes.
5. Serve warm, or cool to room temperature. Store in airtight container.

Crunchy Popcorn Trail Mix

Yield: 9 cups

• 5 cups popped popcorn
• 3 cups whole-grain oat cereal
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup peanuts (or other nuts)
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 6 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1. In large, microwavable bowl, stir together popcorn, cereal, raisins, nuts and seeds; set aside.
2. In small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Heat until boiling; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Microwave 3-4 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after each minute.
4. Spread onto greased cookie sheet; cool.
5. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

Popcorn Granola Snack Bars

Yield: 16 bars

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup granola cereal
• 1 cup roasted and salted peanuts
• 3 cups popped popcorn

1. Line 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with foil. Spray foil lightly with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In large saucepan, heat honey until boiling. Stir in peanut butter until well blended.
3. Remove pan from heat and stir in granola, peanuts and popcorn until coated. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan.
4. Refrigerate until cool; cut into bars to serve.

Yummy Yogurt Popcorn

Yield: 2 1/2 quarts

• 2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup

1. In large bowl, keep popped popcorn warm.
2. In 2 1/2-quart saucepan, combine yogurt, brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat to hard ball stage (250° F on candy thermometer).
3. Pour over popped popcorn, stirring to coat.

Source: The Popcorn Board

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