Halloween Hand Pies

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Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies

  • Ingredients
  • 2 package pie dough for a double crust
  • 1 1/3 cups roasted or canned pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup regular cream cheese, softened and slightly warm
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs {1 beaten together for egg wash}
  • Raw sugar for sprinkling

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix together the granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, salt, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, and vanilla extract until smooth. Scrap down the sides as needed. Set aside.

4. Gently roll out the pie dough just until smooth between two pieces of wax paper. Using a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter (we used this pumpkin cookie cutter from Williams-Sonoma), go around the pie dough in a circle and cut out pumpkin shapes. Using the tip of a sharp knife gently cut out triangle eyes and mouth. Feel free to have fun making different jack-o-lantern faces.

5. Place the pumpkins without faces on the cookie sheet. Brush the edges lightly with egg wash. Take 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons of filling and spread it around the pumpkin leaving the edges clear. Too much filling will ooze out so be careful here.

6. Press the faces gently on top of the puree and seal the edges with a fork. Brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle the top with a little raw sugar.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes on the middle rack. Serve warm or cold.

Makes about 12 hand pies.

Source: Pottery Barn

Boo Bark

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Boo Bark

16 oz chocolate candy coating
6 oz vanilla candy coating
Black sugar pearls
Candy and sprinkles in your favorite Halloween colors

You’ll also need:
9-in. by 13-in. pan
Parchment paper
Toothpicks

1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper allowing about an inch to extend above the rim on two sides for lifting.
2. Microwave candy coating in a heatproof bowl on medium. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth. Next melt vanilla candy coating in a separate bowl.
3. Pour chocolate coating into baking sheet. Working quickly, spread into an even layer. Then, carefully spoon about 10 small circles of vanilla candy coating on top of the melted chocolate.
4. Quickly use a toothpick to coerce the candy coating and define the floating ghosts by drawing a circle shape that comes to a curved pointed end. Keep the toothpick to the surface of the white coating. If you insert it too far in, it will start to mix with the chocolate coating. Place sugar pearls or confetti sprinkles in position for eyes and mouths.
5. Then top with various colorful sprinkles and candies around the ghosts.
6. Let set completely before cutting into pieces.

Note: If the chocolate starts to set before you have finished decorating, just pop it in a warmed oven for a minute or so to reheat the surface and allow the sprinkles to stick.

Source: Bakerella

DIY Felt Acorns

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Materials
Wool roving (found in yarn or crafts shops; use natural or dyed roving)
Dish soap
Warm water
Acorn caps
Hot glue gun
Spray paint (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pull off a small chunk of roving and roll it into a ball about 1/3 larger than the acorn you want to make
  2. Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of warm water
  3. Dip the wool ball into the bowl. Compress the wet ball by rolling in the palms of your hands (just like making cookies or meatballs)
  4. Repeat step No. 3 and continue to roll the ball until it becomes dense. (Warm water + wool + friction = felt!)

Tip: If your ball wants to separate, add a thin layer of roving and continue to roll it until it is a solid ball.

  1. Once the ball is the density and shape you want, squeeze out any excess water. Set it on a towel to dry overnight
  2. Use a hot glue gun and dab a few dots of glue onto the inside of the acorn cap. Press it onto the felted ball

Tip: For a colorful twist, spray-paint the acorn caps in a metallic holiday shade or a color of your choice. Allow the caps to dry before attaching them to the felt body.

Decorate and Adorn
Here are nine ways to enjoy your super-cute handcrafted felt acorns:

  1. Holiday Tabletop: Sprinkle them on top of a linen table runner to make a simple autumnal centerpiece.
  2. Napkin Rings: Glue a trio of acorns onto a napkin ring to adorn each table setting for Thanksgiving.
  3. Acorn Wreath: Add a cluster of felted acorns to a wreath made with colorful autumnal leaves — or make an entire wreath of felted acorns.
  4. Gift Wrap: Mound a group of acorns on top of a gift box instead of using a bow.
  5. Tree Ornaments: Attach a thread hanger to transform each acorn into a tiny tree ornament.
  6. Earrings: Add earring wires to make a pair of holiday earrings.
     
  7. Hair Ties: Glue several small acorns onto a headband, hair tie or bobby pin.
  8. Necklace: String acorns onto a thin wire or string for a fall-inspired necklace.
  9. Frame or Mirror: Dress up a bland frame or mirror with a harvest of felted acorns.

Source: Homemadesimple.com

Healthy Halloween Treats For Your Little Goblins

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Pictured: My little Cameron, dressed up for Halloween, 2003


Halloween is all about the unhealthy treats, but this year I wanted to try something different. As a family, we are all working on a better diet. I found these healthy, Halloween-inspired treats @ BHG.com. Also be sure to check out our Halloween Pinterest board, for over 500+ ideas!

 

1. Veggie Skeleton with Double Dip. Create a spooky skeleton from your favorite vegetable dippers. Serve with extra cut veggies so as Halloween party guests eat the food, they can rebuild Mr. Bone's body for fun.

 

2. Hummus Pumpkin. When shaped into a simple pumpkin, hummus gets transformed into the perfect festive Halloween party food. Scoop hummus onto a serving plate, cover with finely shredded carrots, and make a stem from a piece of green onion -- it's that easy!

 

3. For a horrifyingly delicious Halloween party recipe, use mini Halloween-theme cookie cutters to cut out pieces of cheese and meat. Place the creepy cutouts on top of your favorite crackers and accent with leaves of dark green lettuce. Small black olive pieces easily embellish these creative crackers.

4. Graveyard Taco Dip. This would be really fun for a party too. Venture into this graveyard and you'll discover a tasty taco party dip. Layers of refried beans, lettuce, and black olives mimic dirt and grass; tortilla shells easily transform into tombstones, a spooky tree, and a creepy cat.