Guest Post by: Stephen Reynolds
Fabulous Cupcakes for Fall & the Holidays
The smell of bonfire is in the cool crisp air, leaves are starting to turn gorgeous hues of orange, brown, yellow and red – autumn has arrived. That beach body diet you kept up with all summer long can take a long hiatus because it is now the perfect time to start packing on an extra layer of isolation to help bear the bitter winter weather ahead. With a slew of holidays, outdoor cookouts and friendly gatherings in the mix, these fabulous cupcakes will appease the taste buds and warm the soul this lovely fall season.
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Caramel apples are a signature staple during this time of year, which is why caramel apple cupcakes are also a must. Chopped Granny Smith apples are stirred and baked into a decadent spice cake mix and a silky caramel mixture is then smoothed over the rounded tops, sprinkled with toasty pecans and completed by sticking a wooden craft stick in the middle. Just like a real caramel apple, but better!
Marshmallow-filled S’mores Cupcakes
Fall weather is conducive to bonfires – not too cold not too hot, perfect with a man-made wood fire and s’mores galore. Marshmallow-filled s’more cupcakes are sure to trigger memories of sitting by the fire – branch stuck with four marshmallows in hand, patiently roasting and waiting to get sandwiched in between two graham crackers and a Hersey’s bar. A hole is cut in the middle of a baked fudgy batter, injected with marshmallow filling (butter, marshmallow fluff, vanilla and cream), and then capped with a smooth milk chocolate frosting. A toasted JET-PUFFED marshmallow (quickly tanned in an oven broiler) is placed atop with crumbled graham crackers sprinkled on to finish this amazing s’more concoction masterpiece.
Mummy Cupcakes
Autumn holidays present an amazing opportunity to get creative, especially in a culinary kind of way. If you’re looking for Halloween cupcake ideas, mummy cupcakes are a hit. Chocolate cake mixed with crunchy crushed Oreos give this mummy some texture and life inside. A vanilla pudding icing with Cool Whip folded in is weaved on top to mummify the cakes and semi-sweet chocolate chip are placed on for the eyes. Spooky and fun, all in one – entertain guests with these tricky treats during the annual monster mash!
Double Chocolate Football Cupcakes
For any sports fan, fall is synonymous with football! Double chocolate football cupcakes are fit to theme for a tailgate or game-day house party. Cocoa powder, flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and buttermilk are combined to create a strong foundation for the oddly shaped ball that’s about to be eloquently painted on. Chocolate and vanilla frosting is then made with chocolate, milk, vanilla, confectioner’s sugar and butter. Using a pastry bag and small star tip, form the pigskin replica, and lock it up with laces by piping on the vanilla frosting lines. These are a total touchdown (…it had to be said).
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting
This list of seasonal cupcakes wouldn’t be complete without pumpkin. The combination of fall flavors like cinnamon, maple syrup and pumpkin puree plus wintery hints of ginger and nutmeg, make pumpkin cupcakes with maple frosting highly fitting to bake for Thanksgiving. Traditional pumpkin pie will lose it’s lust next to these as the pumpkin cupcake is amplified with a cream cheese frosting spiked with maple flavoring – tasting so on-point, everyone will think you tapped the actual tree for syrup.
As the climate gets cooler, and leaves starts to fall, bake to match the season with these earthy notes and themes. Cupcakes like these are made to please during autumn time and fall holidays.
Resources
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/mummy-cupcakes-127204.aspx
http://www.mythirtyspot.com/2011/09/caramel-apple-cupcakes.html/
http://www.the-baker-chick.com/2011/09/double-chocolate-football-cupcakes/
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/05/22/marshmallow-filled-smores-cupcakes/
http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/recipes/ina-garten-fall-recipes#slide-1
