yumsugar -- To die for.

Let's Dish: Growing Up, What Was Your Top Halloween Candy?

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

We never had much candy in my house when I was growing up, as my parents wanted to encourage us to eat healthy as much as possible. Every October, I would count down the days to Halloween, when I knew I'd be going trick-or-treating. I looked forward to all candy, but in particular, I loved Baby Ruth bars. The combination of chocolate, peanuts, caramel and — my favorite part — chewy white nougat made this my favorite Halloween treat of all time. What about you? What treats did you look forward to eating on Halloween, then and now?

Source

Yummy Links: From Pawpaws to Patching Pie Crust

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:45:00 -0700

Legendary Queen's grocer Fortnum & Mason is now available on this side of the pond. — Serious Eats
Learn all about the fruit known as the pawpaw. — The Kitchn
Why foodies should care about the election. — The Epi-Log
How to patch up that hole or tear in your homemade pie crust. — Baking Bites
What to look out for when selecting brown mushrooms. — Chow
Will eating your favorite cheese help prevent cavities? — FitSugar
Whip up a batch of tomatillo salsa in no time at all. — Cookthink
This Halloween, treat yourself to grown-up versions of your favorite childhood candies. — Bon Appétit

Source

Happy Hour: Sweeney (Hottie) Toddy

partysugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:00:02 -0700

Now that Fall is here we can start to think about cold-weather cocktails, especially the warming toddy. With its burnt orange color, caramelized sugar rim, and creative name, this modern variation of the classic drink is not your grandmother's nightcap. Made with rum and Canton Ginger Liquor, it's delicious and surprisingly easy to drink. Created especially for my birthday party, by superstar bartender Aaron Smith, of 15 Romolo, the Sweeney (Hottie) Toddy is also a wonderful concoction for a Halloween party. Lighting the glass on fire to caramelize the rim makes for a fabulous party trick! Learn how it's done and

Yum's October Must Haves

partysugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:30:52 -0700

Hard to believe October is already here! Although I'm not a fan of colder weather, I am looking forward to everything October has to offer. From harvest meals to Halloween, it's sure to be an exciting month. Here are my top picks for properly enjoying this fabulous Fall month to the fullest.

Kiddie Soireé: Tiny Prints For Halloween!

partysugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:10:49 -0700

Kiddie Soireé: Tiny Prints For Halloween! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. The creativity, costumes, and candy get me all riled up for a ghoulish good time. Adding to my freaky fetish is Tiny Prints!

Cupcake of the Week: Your Own Bloody Valentine

YumSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:31:37 -0800

If you think cutesy pink Valentine cupcakes are too sentimental and passé then wait until you check out these Bleeding Heart cupcakes. Instead of being cutesy hearts, they're almost gruesome, and the best part is that they actually bleed jam! I love how fun they are, and especially adore the use of marbles to create the indentations! To check out the recipe and create your own bloody valentine,

Off To Market Recap: Special Halloween Treats

partysugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:15:11 -0700

Last week I asked you to help me put together a package of fabulous Halloween goodies to send a friend in Spain. I was so busy planning and hosting my Halloween bash, that I had no time to go to the store. Luckily you searched the web for caramel apples, cupcakes, candy, and any other special, spooky extras. You saved your treats in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Halloween Treats. From edible tarantulas to mints in coffins to cherry filled gumball eyes, you discovered an amazing array of tasty yet spooky Halloween treats.

Javi, my friend in Spain, is a huge fan of sweet and savory junk food, and that's why I'll be sending him these Halloween pretzel rods. Mellie_608 submitted the salty pretzels that are dipped in caramel and rolled in chocolate candies. They sound so scrumptious, I may have to order some for myself! For more treats — or tricks — browse the selection below.

To learn more about bookmarking, please refer to geeksugar's easy how to.

52 Weeks of Baking: Caramel "Apple" Cookies

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:01:19 -0700

I was searching for a final cookie recipe to round out National Cookie Month when I stumbled across one that looked like caramel apples. They were so cute and seemed like the perfect Halloween treat, so I headed to the store and grabbed a bag of caramels. The cookies themselves are pretty simple to make; they're basically a dyed sugar cookie dipped in caramel and put on a stick! To get the recipe and start bobbing for your own "apples,"

Happy Halloween!

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:00:13 -0700

Like my costume? It is by Monster by Mail!

I hope you're having a blast today. Be sure to devour your favorite candy and be sure to check out all of our Halloween coverage, including this fun quiz about Halloween!

Source

Behind the Scenes: My Halloween Party

partysugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:18:33 -0700

Last week I told you step-by-step how I was planning my Halloween party. I showed you the invitations, the menu, the drinks and the decor. The party took place this past Saturday and although it was a fabulous success and the majority of my guests had a glorious time, there are a few things to make note of for the next time.

Here are my after party reflections:

Leave the frozen berries out of the Dangerously Delicious Punch. Unless you want to spend the next day rubbing berry stains out of your carpet, it's best to not garnish punch at a large party.

I would have liked a picture of everyone who came in their costume. Next time I will set up a Halloween costume photo shoot area and ask guests to snap themselves with an old Polaroid when they arrive.
Don't offer Halloween candy that comes in wrappers. The house was littered with Kit Kat and Skittle wrappers by the end of the night.
Put a large towel under the keg. We put a small one underneath it, but the condensation was so bad that the floor ended up getting slippery and wet.

For more on my Halloween party, including a virtual tour of the space before the party began,

Mmm...Baking Up Body Parts (Video)

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:11:33 -0700

Mmm...Baking Up Body Parts (Video)
Look again. These aren't the decomposing remains of a deceased person, but loaves of gourmet bread up for sale. Kittiwat Unarrom is an artist and baker in Thailand who has specialized in crafting lifelike head, feet, hands, toes, and then some. As long as it looks dead, he does it— and people are eating it up. Kittiwat's bakery averages one hundred visitors per day! (Who are these customers?!)

Happy Hour: Happy Hallowine!

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:13:38 -0700

If you're still looking for a fun wine to serve for tonight's Halloween bash, then be sure to check out this list of Halloween appropriate wines. From Armida Poizin to Hungary's Bull's Blood, there's something for every mood. If those two are too sinister for you, then check out Hocus Pocus or the Seven Deadly Zins. No matter what you select, you're bound to get a few comments when you serve one of these wines. To check out our full selection, scroll through below.

Yummy Links: Bewitching Plates

partysugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:13:33 -0700

Why buy boring old paper plates when you can get sexy witch in martini glass ones? These are fabulously fun, so while you're at it, pick up the matching set of plastic Boo cups. — Hostess with the Mostess

Which Halloween Candy Do You Eat First?

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:15:31 -0700

Some people don't care which ones they eat as long as it's tasty, while others are calculated and map out their plan of attack. How about you? What's your Halloween candy order?Source

Foodie Flashback: Have a Monsterrific Breakfast!

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 05:28:33 -0700

The other day we mentioned that General Mills brought back Boo and Franken Berry just in time for Halloween. So, to celebrate the occasion further I thought I'd dig up a few of these old Count Chocula commercials. Besides, it's a perfect way to celebrate Halloween. Check out the commercial for all three cereals below and then check out a few more after the jump!

To check out a few more classic Count Chocula commercials,

Halloween Fun Facts!

partysugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:18:17 -0700

Happy Halloween! To celebrate the holiday that celebrates candy, I've put together a quiz of Halloween fun facts. Test your knowledge on all things orange, black, and in between. But beware, I may try and trick you!

Source

Yummy Link: Creepy Cakes

partysugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:28:11 -0700

Who would have thought Pocky makes such wonderful spider legs? Just in time for Halloween, make these creepy spider cakes with eight crunchy chocolate legs and raspberry gut filling. — Not Martha

Bento of the Week: Witchy Witch

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:03:18 -0700

This week's cute bento box was found at Hime Room. While I sadly can't read the description, I do know a cute Halloween bento when I see one. This little witch is definitely riding her way in to my heart!

Fun Halloween Snack: Monster Eyes

partysugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:15:00 -0700

No, these monster eyes are not cookies, they are delicious little savory bites of cheese and sausage! The secret to these super fast and simple to make appetizers is Bisquick. They make a great afternoon snack or a wonderful hors d'oeurve for a ghoulish party. I'll be pairing mine with an icy cold vodka martini for happy hour on Halloween. The recipe is pretty basic so feel free to jazz it up to suite your tastebuds. Take a peek at how they are made when you,

Spider Beverage Tub: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 01:00:00 -0700

I despise spiders. I find them disgustingly gross looking and they scare me. However, I think this spider beverage tub is spooktacular. It's stylish, sleek, and festive. It can sit on a table, banquet, or even the floor. It holds beer, wine, soda, or water. It's usable around Halloween, which makes me hate it a little. But it will make a lovely addition to my collection of Halloween decorations and I'll use it for many years to come. What do you think?

Spider Beverage Tub: Love It or Hate It?

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Happy Hour: Trick-or-Tini

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:15:00 -0700

Just in case you don't have enough Halloween themed cocktail recipes, here's another! It's a twist on the classic martini, the trick-or-tini. With its fun name and Halloween hues, this candy corn look-alike is a dessert in itself. Coconut cream, tangerine juice, and banana liqueur are carefully layered to make this delicious cocktail. To prevent mixing when layering liquors, be sure to pour super slowly with a steady hand over the back of a big spoon. Want to make this tonight? Get the recipe when you

Off to Market Recap: Pumpkin Carving Tools

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0700

A pumpkin carving party has become my signature Halloween soirée. To make it simple on guests I supply the pumpkins and all of the carving tools. It seems like each year better, more cutting edge craving tools can be found at grocery stores and culinary chains thats why I asked you to help me update my collection of craving tools. You headed off to market in search of precision knives, sharp scoopers, and anything fabulous in between. You saved an amazing selection of useful tools in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Pumpkin Carving Tools.

From drills to stencils to scoopers you found it all. I plan on investing in several of these knives that gruaig_rua discovered. With a sharp, serrated blade these dishwasher safe knives have a nonslip handle which is important when slicing round, unstable pumpkins. Take a look at all of the tools by scrolling to the right below.

To learn more about bookmarking, please refer to geeksugar's easy how to.

Come Party With Me: Halloween Bash — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Bloody candles and geometric pumpkins aren't the only fabulous decorations that will transform my friend Emily's house on Saturday night for our Halloween Bash.

The natural lighting will be replaced with orange Christmas lights and an excessive amount of votives. Black rat silhouette cut-outs will scurry up the staircase while spooky music plays in the entryway. The tables will be covered with black spiderweb tablecloths and piles of skeletons will act as creepy centerpieces.

The food and candy will be served in bright orange bowls, the drinks in orange plastic keg cups, and the cupcakes will fill the cupcake stand. Black, glittery candelabra add a touch of chicness. The punch bowl will rest inside a large fog making copper cauldron.

Now that you know how I am decorating my Halloween party, how will you be decorating yours?

Yummy Link: Boo and Franken Berry Are Back

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:00:50 -0700

General Mills has decided to bring back its classic cereals, Boo Berry and Franken Berry, just in time for Halloween. The cereals will rejoin their old buddy, Count Chocula, on a grocery store shelf near you. — The Epi Log

Ghost Lollipop Cookies

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0700

If spider cookies aren't really your style, how about ghost lollipop cookies? You don't need a special ghost shaped cookie cutter to make these screaming spice cookies, since they get their shape from a bent, used tuna can. The eyes and open mouth are melted Jolly Ranchers, and the white face is fluffy frosting. These cookies take a bit of time to make, but the finished product is a gorgeous cookie that makes a great gift when wrapped in clear cellophane. To give this recipe a whirl,

Cupcake of the Week: Ghastly Halloween!

YumSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:43:18 -0700

This week we're actually spotlighting several cupcakes from flickr member Yummy Piece of Cake. Her Halloween cupcakes are so cute and well decorated. I know I'd have a hard time deciding which one to pick!

Get Caught in a Spiderweb Cookie

YumSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 07:01:38 -0700

I love how Halloween has really become a celebrated holiday of its own. There are a ton of festive ways to decorate your house, lots of pumpkins to carve and best of all, treats to make! If you're looking for a simple cookie for your Halloween party, pot luck or office, then look no further. These simple spiderweb cookies are wonderfully tasty and cute too! To get the how-to,

Disgust Your Guests With Brain Cookies

partysugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:15:08 -0700

Halloween is a great time to get creative with experimental baking. Take these cookies, for example: The dough is arranged in long tubes and shaped to look like a brain. You will need an entire bottle of food coloring to make the deep red blood glaze. If you don't like nuts or are allergic, simply omit them from the recipe. Normally I would never recommend grossing out your guests, but that is what Halloween is all about! To see how to make these mini brains,

Come Party With Me: Halloween Bash — Menu (Sweet)

partysugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:15:45 -0700

No Halloween party can be declared a success without an excessive amount of candy. I'll be strategically placing bowls filled with my favorite candies — Reese's Pieces, Nerds, and peanut M&Ms — around the two rooms that will house the party. The cupcake tier my sister gave to me for my birthday will make its debut at the party, since I'll be baking one batch of Halloween cupcakes to fill the stand. A few lucky guests can indulge in these homemade treats. For the recipe,

52 Weeks of Baking: Baby Pumpkins with Garlic Custard

YumSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:13:33 -0700

I was flipping through the lastest issue of Sunset magazine when these cute little pumpkins caught my eye. Not only were they adorably festive, but they were full of custard too! I immediately sent YumJimmy to the store to find pumpkins, while I prepped the kitchen for baking. Unfortunately, the store didn't have baby pumpkins, so I had to make do with mid-sized ones. The custard, which is a savory one, came out wonderfully silky — almost like a silken tofu — and the flavor was subtle — almost too subtle, I actually had to load up on salt and pepper afterwards — and it was so fun to look at too!

While this particular recipe is savory —and, if using the right pumpkins, comes together in 30 minutes — the pumpkin vessel can be used for any flavor custard. I definitely plan on trying it again with a pumpkin custard!

If all of this pumpkin talk has you interested, check out the recipe, just

Off to Market: Special Halloween Treats

partysugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:30:39 -0700

Halloween is only a week away, and I have yet to purchase any treats! But I don't need just any old treats: I want to put together a package full of fabulous Halloween goodies to send a friend in Spain. However, I'm so busy planning my Halloween bash that I have no time to go to the store.

Can you help me by searching the web for Halloween treats? Look for caramel apples, cupcakes, candy, and any other special, spooky extras, like these Williams-Sonoma Halloween Truffles. Bookmark your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Halloween Treats. Thanks so much; I know you will discover some fabulous stuff!

To learn more about bookmarking, please refer to geeksugar's easy how to. To get you started on where to search, check out a list of my favorite online stores and

Bento of the Week: Halloween Has Arrived!

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:03:18 -0700

This week's bento box comes all the way from the Smile Kitchen. TwinkleAngel has created this adorable bento just in time for Halloween. The design is so simple and yet very inspiring! Why don't you try it at home?

How to Make Ghost Toast

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:00:28 -0700

Who says Halloween food only comes out at night? You can also start your day in a spooky way with this ghost-emblazoned cinnamon toast recipe from The Charlotte Weekly. (Thanks, Curbly.)

I haven't made cinnamon toast in ages, so I can't wait to try this super-easy project. To find out how to make it,

Come Party With Me: Halloween Bash — Menu (Savory)

partysugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:30:14 -0700

Although my Halloween party starts later in the night — at 10 p.m. — I will have food. At larger parties where lots of alcohol may be consumed, it's best to offer guests a few savory nibbles to snack on throughout the night. Don't go gourmet, but keep things simple by serving classic, crowd-pleasing dishes.

I'll be pairing blue tortilla chips with green guacamole and gooey queso fundido. To keep the queso fundido warm, place it in a fondue bowl. Crispy cheese straws made from puff pastry round out the easy, no-fuss menu. For the recipes,

Happy Hour: Witches' Brew

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:27:19 -0700

No Halloween is complete without a good old fashioned punch. Often times, folks will use dry ice as a way to create a spooky effect. However, dry ice can be quite dangerous, so I found a recipe that will evoke the same feeling without any of the risk. This recipe for a Witches' Brew starts off with a chilled apple cider and ends with a dollop of sweet vanilla ice cream. To get the recipe,

Off to Market Recap: Halloween Candy Bowl

partysugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:15:35 -0700

I used to have this fabulous orange plastic Halloween candy bowl. It was a little cheesy with jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and bats pattern along the rim. I loved this bowl, and it's part of what made Halloween special. Sadly, after one too many Halloween parties, the bowl has vanished.

So I asked you to help me find a new one. You looked for a fun and festive bowl large enough to fit several bags of candy. You saved your bowls in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Halloween Candy Bowl. I can't believe how many amazing bowls you discovered!

I love the eyeball punch bowl that mellie_608 bookmarked but it's for punch and not candy. The pumpkin candy bowl (at left) that ALSW totally reminds me of my old bowl! At only $6.99, the price is right, so nice find ALSW. Take a look at all the spooky bowls below.

Geeksugar has written a helpful explanation of how to bookmark.

DIY Bloody Halloween Candles

partysugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:15:42 -0700

I'm going a little party-crazy this week in preparation for the huge Halloween bash I'm hosting on Saturday. While I'll be using lots of orange Christmas lights in my decor, candles will also play a huge role in creating a spooky look. Better yet, I've decorated long white taper candles to appear as if they are dripping with blood!

This DIY project is incredibly easy, and the final product is super fun for a Halloween bash. These would be great incorporated into a Halloween dinner centerpiece. To see how I made these candles,

Come Party With Me: Halloween Bash — Invites

partysugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:00:25 -0700

This Saturday night, I'm co-hosting a blowout Halloween Bash. My girlfriend Emily came to me at the end of September and asked if I would help her plan a costume party. Never one to say no to hosting a party, I excitedly said yes.

We decided on a date — the Saturday before Halloween — and got busy making invitations. We chose to send the invites via snail mail, instead of through email or Evite, in order to set the tone for the party and give everyone enough time to come fabulously disguised. To see how I made this simple yet spooky invite,

Flesh and Bones Candle: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 01:00:16 -0700

Usually I stay away from over-the-top and cheesy decorations, but I make an exception for Halloween. I love all crazy and haunting decorations, from hanging witches to smiling pumpkins to spooky skeletons. When I found these Flesh and Bones Candles ($7.99), I was extremely ecstatic and disturbed at the same time. Wouldn't a mantel look gorgeous lined with these candles? Or perhaps you could use them in an elegantly scary centerpiece for a Halloween dinner? What do you think?

Flesh and Bones Candle: Love It or Hate It?

Love it.

Hate it.

Undecided.

Happy Hour: Black Widow

partysugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:15:34 -0700

I've been on a crazed hunt for the perfect Halloween cocktail. I envisioned a black martini, but the only recipes I could find involved chocolate-flavored vodka. Don't get me wrong: There is a time and a place for chocolate vodka, but Halloween is not that time or place.

When I saw this recipe for a Black Widow, I assumed it involved chocolate, but —surprise! — it's actually dark grape juice that gives this drink a glorious hue. To get the devilishly delicious recipe I'll be making on All Hallow's Eve,

Yummy Link: Ghoul's Night Halloween Party

partysugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:00:00 -0700

Need inspiration for your Halloween party? How about black spiders, white webs, and hot pink skulls? — Hostess With the Mostess

Off to Market: Pumpkin Carving Tools

partysugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 11:00:27 -0700

A pumpkin carving party has become my signature Halloween soirée. To make it simple on guests, I supply the pumpkins and all of the carving tools. But each year it seems you can find better, more cutting-edge carving tools at grocery stores and culinary chains. Can you help me update my collection of tools?

Head off to market in search of precision knives, sharp scoopers, and anything fabulous in between. Save the tool sets in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Pumpkin Carving Tools. On behalf of the guests who will attend the event, thanks for searching!

To learn more about bookmarking, please refer to geeksugar's easy how to.

To get you started, take a look at my favorite online stores and

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:00:50 -0700

At my pumpkin carving parties, I like to create an inviting, rustic look in warm autumn colors. I also allow guests to pick their own pumpkins. By your front door, hang a “Pick Your Pumpkin” sign on a wheel barrel, then fill the wheel barrel with pumpkins and scatter the remaining pumpkins around it.

If you have access to hay or corn husks, liberally disperse around your walkway, and light all of the candles you have for mood lighting. Then, set up pumpkin carving stations: Cover the tabletops and counter spaces with several layers of old newspaper, arrange pumpkin carving tools and knives, and place paper garbage bags near each station where guests can dump the pumpkins' insides.

If you own any cheesy Halloween decorations, be sure to place these decoratively around the party space. Pick up or arrange with flair a Fall medley of orange and rust-colored flowers. Fill a big bucket (or cooler) with ice and instruct guests to chill beer there. Serve the food and drinks in black serving ware. Get fun Halloween-themed paper cocktail napkins from your nearby party supply store.

For the final touches,

Halloween Cookies Come to Life

partysugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:00:01 -0700

Has anybody gotten their hands on this new 3-D Halloween Cookie Cutter Set ($11.99) from Williams-Sonoma? Bringing a new dimension to holiday baking, the Halloween-shaped cookie cutters allow home cooks to make cookies that can be assembled into standing, 3-D sculptures. I'm not exactly sure how they work, but it seems like a fun project for kids. The set includes a pumpkin, a cat, a haunted house, and a witch.

The 3-D pumpkin cookies would be excellent homemade place cards for a Thanksgiving dinner. I hope the Christmas set contains a gingerbread house-shaped cutter. Imagine the cute centerpieces you could make!

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving — Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:00:59 -0700

According to the invitation, I've asked guests to bring their own beer to my pumpkin carving party. I'll be supplying the pumpkins and lots of delicious treats, so I don't feel bad about requesting guests to BYOB. Just be sure to clear a spot for beer on the day of the event; make room in the fridge or fill coolers and beer buckets with ice. That way, when guests arrive with a six pack, they can immediately chill it.

Have sparkling and still water and classic sodas like Coca Cola and Sprite as options for those who don't drink beer. I'll also have one specialty cocktail on hand to help get the party started. For the recipe to this festive, easy-to-make cocktail,

Jazz up Shortbread Cookies With Chocolate

partysugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:00:51 -0700

In my opinion, one can never have too many cookie cutters. They come in such a wide variety of fun shapes and sizes that I find myself investing in a new one each time I make a batch of cookies.

For this chocolate shortbread cookie recipe, I'll be getting a bat-shaped cookie cutter. A witch hat, tombstone, or black cat would be fabulous as well. Whatever shape you choose, indulge in this tasty recipe that takes the classic butter shortbread recipe and jazzes it up with cocoa powder. Get it now when you

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving — Menu (Part II)

partysugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:15:06 -0700

It’s Halloween, so there should be plenty of treats — both savory and sweet — at your pumpkin carving party. I recommend offering one homemade treat and lots of store-bought goodies. Make pecan bars dipped in melted chocolate, then fill bowls with your favorite Halloween minis: Air-Heads, Reese’s Pieces, Kit-Kats, and candy corn.

Got extra time on your hands? Make spiked (or regular, if you don't drink) Jell-O jigglers in jack-o-lantern shapes. Want these devilish recipes? All you have to do is

Reader Recipe: Fright Night Cake

partysugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:15:01 -0700

I always find fabulous ideas while reading your recipes over on TeamSugar, but the other day something unexpected happened. I was completely and totally blown away by sarahkushner's Halloween-themed cake, which she created for a recent event.

Yes folks, that masterpiece is edible, and she made it all in the comfort of her own kitchen! Sarah's contemplating opening her own bakery, and I think it's safe to say she is well on her way! To find out how she did it or congratulate her for making such an artistic cake,

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving — Menu (Part I)

partysugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:30:52 -0700

Guests will certainly work up an appetite while they create clever jack-o-lanterns at your pumpkin carving party, so offer a delicious menu of all-American food that’s sure to please even the toughest crowd. Serve chips shaped like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins with store-bought green salsa and a homemade nacho cheese dip that's hot and bubbling. Set out bowls of spiced mixed nuts and purchased marinated olives. Round out the menu with mini hot dogs wrapped in a puff pastry crust. For these tasty recipes,

Yummy Link: Halloween Wine Pairings

partysugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:30:06 -0700

Wondering what wines to pair with toasted pumpkin seeds, candy corn, and caramel apples? Check out this list of quirky Halloween wine pairings for some interesting ideas. — Star Chefs