Happy Halloween!

The big day is finally here!
Doesn't it feel like we've been celebrating
Halloween forever?

Well, what a season it's been.
As I've said, this is my favorite holiday and I clearly got
into the spirit this year.

Time to reflect on all of the different Halloween cake pops.

I remember being so excited when I came up with the idea for the Candy Corn Pops.
And I was beyond thrilled with Martha Stewart showed my Spooky Spiders on her show.
They're all my babies, so, of course, I love them all...

Candy Corn, Spiders, Dracula, Witches, Monsters, Smashing Pumpkins, Mummies, Witch Hats, Pumpkin Buckets, Frankenstein, Owls, The Great Pumpkin, Casper, and the Ghostbusters Ghost.
I could never pick just one...

What was your favorite???

Halloween Cake Pop Stand

The big day is almost here and now that your favorite Halloween treats are ready to go,
it's time to tie it all together!

The presentation of your cake pops is almost just as important as the pops themselves.

Check out the Halloween Tutorials tab at the top of this page to learn how to make this Halloween Cake Pop Stand, and much much more!

Trick-or-Treat - Halloween Cake Pops

Who's ready for Halloween?

These candy-filled cake pops sure are!

With black rope licorice as the handle and your favorite fun sprinkles for the "candy", it's impossible to have just one.

They're the perfect sweet treat to have waiting at home after a long night of trick-or-treating!

Owls - Halloween Cake Pops

These unassuming Owl Cake Pops are perfect for Halloween and the fall season!

Owls are great because they're fun and not that difficult.
I like to make mine two-toned, which does require a little bit of patience. After dipping the pop completely in the first color, you have to let sit for a few minutes to harden before dipping again in the second color.

It's worth it, though, because in the end you get
these stylish little creations.

Favorite Halloween Ghosts - Giveaway Day!

Wow! What a fantastic Giveaway Day!
All of our favorite ghosts came out to play:
Casper, Mickey, the Ghostbusters ghost, and Charlie Brown in his ghost costume.

In cake pop-style, we played two ghost-busting games of

Ghostbusters!

A big THANKS to everyone who participated and helped make this such a huge success.
Congratulations to both of our winners!

We had a lot of fun and we hope you did too.
At the very least we hope you were inspired by all of the fun cake pops you saw as you zoomed through the blog!

Stay tuned for more fun giveaways in the future!

Monster - Halloween Cake Pops

These Monster Halloween Cake Pops are so wonderful because no two are ever alike!

After dipping the cake ball in green candy melt, these marvelous monsters become unique to themselves and begin to take on a life of their own. 

Instead of tapping off the excess chocolate like you would with a regular pop, with these you let the candy melt drip and look sloppy until they harden.

Add mini Jaw Breakers for eyes, and these creepy monsters will be the life of any party!

The Great Pumpkin - Halloween Cake Pops

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

I've always had a special place in my heart for the Peanuts people and this is one of my all-time favorites.

In a similar style to the Mario & Luigi cake I made, this delightful dessert pays tribute to Linus' search for
The Great Pumpkin!

This chocolate cake is bordered with white chocolate Kit Kats and topped with shredded coconut, dyed green.
Mini candy pumpkins are accompanied by cake pops in the pumpkin patch on top. And Cake Pop Linus stands in the middle of it all holding his sign and trusty blue blanket, both made out of fondant.

Even if The Great Pumpkin doesn't appear, I'm sure Linus will find something to do to keep busy!

Here's Joel hanging out with some of his
favorite Peanuts people!
I made these a few years back for the boys.

Witches - Halloween Cake Pops

Nothing says Halloween quite like Witch Cake Pops!
A classic Halloween icon turned into this
deliciously tasty treat.

The hair is pipped on and made from black candy melt.
But the hats offer the real surprise as they are made from an Oreo cookie topped with a Hershey's kiss covered in
black sugar sprinkles.

Trust me, they're so delicious you'd be willing to endure a witch's spell just to get your hands on one!

Mummy - Halloween Cake Pops

These yummy Mummy Halloween cake pops are super fun to make and don't take much time at all.

I shape the mummy heads so they're a little more elongated, though a regular ball certainly works too. To get the mummy look, simply fill a piping bag with white candy melt and drizzle over the pop, criss crossing back and forth.

Last but not least, I love to use these Wilton candy eyes.
They work well for all kinds of pops and definitely give
the mummies their own distinct look.

Dracula - Halloween Cake Pops

It's been a great week of featured posts, but now
it's time to get back in on the action!

From now until the 31st I will be showing new
Halloween cake pops every day!

You gotta love Dracula.
These pops are actually quite simple to make. I piped on the "hair", which is just black candy melts.
And using AmeriColor food writing pens, the faces
can be totally up to you!

Halloween Spook-tacular #5:Jello Fingers

The Halloween Spook-tacular wraps up with
our 5th and final day!

Today, we're going to enjoy...

Jello Fingers

from a close personal friend of mine.

Jennifer Carver of Banner Events is easily the best party planner that I know. She has an uncanny eye for detail and assembles some of the most amazing parties I have ever seen. In addition, she's also a very talented in the kitchen.

Click HERE to check out some of her DIY Halloween work in action with Anders Ruff party printables on their website.

She was kind enough to share how to make these incredibly life-like jello Fingers.
Perfect for scaring things up at your next party!
Thanks, Jen!

Halloween Jello Fingers
Start With These Steps:
- Make molds of desired finger using parafin wax.
Do this by boiling water and putting the wax in a tin can in the pan of water. This helps melt the wax, but keeps it from getting too hot. The wax needs to be deep enough to dip your whole finger in.

- Keep dipping until you get a thick enough mold that it won't break when you try to remove it. (Usually the heat of your non-waxed hand is enough to help coax the mold off your finger.) You will need a separate mold for each finger you want to make.

- It's best to stand the wax molds up in a plastic bowl or square dish. Then, use a sieve to help pour the jello mixture in to the mold.

Mix Together:
1 large package of peach jello
4 envelopes Knox gelatin
2 cups hot water
2 drops yellow food coloring
(dissolve as you would jello)

Next:
- Soften one 8oz. package of cream cheese.
- Add to jello mixture. Mix on low speed. Skim off the foam on the top (so bubbles don't form in your finger molds). Let cool.

Finally:
- Pour into wax finger molds.
- Stand finger molds up in a container and put in freezer until hardened. (Cover the container with saran wrap).
- Remove from freezer about 45 minutes before serving so they thaw out.

The look and texture are SO real!
Enjoy!

Halloween Spook-tacular #4:Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops

Day 4 of our Halloween Spook-tacular!

Today, we're going to enjoy...

Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops

from Blog 5 to 9.

Blog 5 to 9 is a great party planning blog with fantastic decorating ideas and wonderful treats. I did a similar Rice Krispy version of Frankenstein last month, but I absolutely fell in love when I saw him made out of marshmallows.

Check out this blog for the complete step-by-step tutorial on how to make these freaky Frankies.

Halloween Spook-tacular #3:Monster Face Cookies

Day 3 of our Halloween Spook-tacular!

Today, we're going to enjoy...

Monster Face Cookies

from The Decorated Cookie.

The Decorated Cookie is one of my favorite food blogs. Don't be fooled by the name because this blog goes way beyond discussing just the cookie and serves up amazing recipes, tips, and tutorials for all things sweet!

I absolutely love these fun monster cookies, which will be perfect for this year's Halloween party.

Check out this blog for the complete step-by-step breakdown on how to make this spooky cookies!

Halloween Spook-tacular #2:Mini-Bundt Cake Pumpkins

Day 2 of our Halloween Spook-tacular!

Today, we're going to enjoy...

Mini-Bundt Cake Pumpkins

from The Sugar Turntable.

The Sugar Turntable is another great food blog with fantastic recipes and awesome tutorials. I love all things pumpkin, and these mini-bunt cakes are absolutely perfect for this time of year.

Check out this blog for the complete recipe and step-by-step instructions on how to make this adorable creation.

Halloween Spook-tacular #1:Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

Welcome to Day 1 of our Halloween Spook-tacular!
This week we will feature fun Halloween treats we've found from around the web.

Today, we're going to enjoy...

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

from Kathie Cooks.

Kathie Cooks is a great food blog with wonderful recipes, tips and techniques. I love baked goods almost as much as I love candy corn, so when I came across these I fell in love.

Check out this blog for the complete recipe and directions on how to make this delectable dessert.

World Food Day

It's World Food Day!

Today is the day to stop what you're doing and help increase awareness and understanding of hunger and poverty around the world.

Instead of indulging in another cake pop today, we take this time to look back at our favorite foods from the year, 

and think about how we can help others.

National Grouch Day

It's National Grouch Day!

According to Sesame Street Magazine, Grouch Day is a day for all Grouches to celebrate their way of life.
A Grouch's mission is to be as miserable and grouchy as possible, and pass that feeling on to everyone else.

Even though our friend Oscar the Grouch might be the grouchiest of them all, I'd like to think he'd crack a smile if offered a cake pop with his mug on it.

World Egg Day

Most holidays come just once a year, but it appears we're treated to two helpings of Egg Day.

National Egg Day occurs on June 3, 

and today the entire world gets in on the action.

No matter how you like your eggs, I'll take mine
cake pop-style any day of the year!

Martha, Martha, Martha!!!

Look who crawled into Martha Stewart's spotlight today!

I am so thrilled that Martha highlighted my Spooky Spider Halloween Cake Pops on today's episode of The Martha Stewart Show on the Hallmark Channel.

It will re-air later today. We are in the first few minutes.
Check your local listings!

Click HERE for the link to the episode preview page.
We are not mentioned on this page, but if they post the video or share the pic on their website I will
share that with you all.

This exciting news means that I am foregoing today's holiday and showing my Spider Cake Pops once again!
Visit the Halloween Tutorials Tab at the top of his page to find out how to make these creepy crawlers.

Thank you, Martha!!!

Farmer's Day

It's Farmer's Day!

Find a farmer, shake their hand and thank them for their skill and dedication.

Farmer's Day honors the hard labor of farmers all
throughout history.

The month of October is actually the perfect month to celebrate and honor farmers. At this time, the harvest is largely complete, which means that they can take a break from their labors and enjoy the celebration.

So, tip your hat to farmers for their contributions to American culture, values, society, and the economy.
Old MacDonald, here's to you!

Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day

It's Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day!

Not to be confused the just plain Teddy Bear Day, celebrated on September 9th, today is about taking that cuddly friend to work with you.

We just love Teddy Bears so much around here that I had to bring back one of my recent favorite pictures.
I shaped their faces for dimension and applied M&M's on top for the ears. Then, I dipped the whole thing in melted chocolate. To get the "furry" effect I textured
them with a toothpick.

So, grab your favorite bear on the way out the door this morning and have a friendly companion help get you through the daily grind!

National Cake Decorating Day

It's National Cake Decorating Day!

Practice your technique, try a new flavor, or create a
one-of-a-kind design to celebrate.

Cake decorating is an art form that requires patience and experience. I took a cake decorating course a few years back, but found that making cake pops were more my style. 

That being said, here are two cakes I've made
over the last couple years.

Happy Birthday, Count von Count!

Happy Birthday, Count von Count!

Today this lovable character turns 1,832,652 years young!

The Count is a mysterious, but friendly vampire-like Muppet on Sesame Street. He is meant to be a parody of Count Dracula and first appeared on the show in the Season 4 premiere in 1972, counting blocks in a
sketch with Bert and Ernie.

As his name suggests, The Count has a compulsive love of counting and will count anything and everything. His character helps explain simple math concepts to children.

Count von Count is the Cake Pop of the Day.

But the Number of the Day is...

Universal Music Day

Happy Universal Music Day!

Today is all about encouraging people to make music.

It doesn't matter if it's tapping your feet, snapping your fingers, singing a song, or playing an instrument.

Music is all around us and can be such a powerful tool used to inspire happiness and joy.

So, today we also honor the musicians who inspire, entertain, heal, and soothe us, and thank them 

for their musical gifts.

What will you be listening to today?

National Frappe Day

Happy National Frappe Day!

This chilled foam-covered coffee drink actually originated in Greece back in the 50's. Today, there are many variations of this refreshing beverage.

Some pronounce it "frap" while others prefer "frah-pay".
Either way, let's all agree that this creamy coffee treat is as delicious as it is fun to say!

Mad Hatter Day

Today we celebrate The Mad Hatter from Lewis Caroll's classic book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

It's time to recognize the reality that is nonsense and
the silliness that is sane.

Despite being a silly day, the selection of the date was actually quite logical.
The Mad Hatter wears a top hat, and on the front of the hat is a slip of paper with "10/6" written on it.
The paper is believed to be an order to make the hat, and that it costs ten shillings sixpence.

So, grab a top hat, act a little silly, and go have yourself
a very merry Mad Hatter Day!

Wild Card Wednesday - Where's Waldo

What an amazing Wild Card Wednesday!

In cake pop-style, we played two exciting games of

Where's Waldo!
Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this such a huge success.
Congratulations to both of our winners!

Stay tuned for more Waldo action in the future...

National Taco Day

It's National Taco Day!

Today we honor this Mexican favorite!
The method of making these particular "tacos" is much different from the traditional dish.

First, to make the "tortilla", I melted yellow candy melt onto wax paper, and folded it over the edge of a cutting board to get the curved effect.
As it dried, I sprinkled on crushed brown Jimmies.
After it hardens completely, gently peel off the wax paper.

The "meat" is crumbled up chocolate cake.
The "lettuce" is shredded coconut, dyed green.
The "cheese" is grated orange candy melt.
And the "salsa" is red Wilton food gel.

Put it all together and you get yummy Taco Cake Pops!
¡Muy sabroso!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Every year major breast cancer charities unite to try and increase awareness of this devastating disease.

By acknowledging this month's theme, I also wanted let you know about another related project I will be working on.

On November 14, I will be guest-posting on the Frosting For The Cause website (click the link on the side of this page for more info). They are a great organization that helps raise awareness for cancer that affects women, and are featuring 365 days of desserts in an effort to continue spreading their message.

Almost everyone, everywhere, has been touched by cancer in one form or another. To stay informed, nbcam.org is a great resource for of the latest information.

World Farm Animals Day

It's World Farm Animals Day.

Unfortunately, today is actually dedicated to mourning the billions of cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals who needlessly suffer and die every year in the world's farms and slaughterhouses. Somewhat fitting though to follow World Vegetarian Day...

On a brighter note, I've gone back through the archives and selected some of my farm favorites!

No animals were harmed in the making of these cake pops!