These are more than Chocolate Halloween Cupcakes. They’re witch Cupcakes and they’re both easy AND gluten free.
On the wrong side of 40 something clicks in your brain and you just don’t care anymore. It’s a short and slippery slope from here in and I am afraid that I want to have a laugh as I slide my way into the never never. Didn’t you always wonder why the older people in the family relished a wedding or a BBQ or a gathering and reunion. It is an old saying that fun is wasted on the young and it’s true. By the time you really start looking forward to social events that’s about the time they seem to dry up.
I Β was invited to a Christmas BBQ. It was billed on the invitation as a “Retro Party” which of course means you dress up, doesn’t it? My sister “Le-Le” was visiting and she also loves a bit of fun (must be a family trait), and while out and about making nuisances of ourselves she helped me assemble a costume from treasures at the second hand store and reclaimed items in my wardrobe. This gave us hours of entertainment snickering and laughing at the various additions to my costume, playing the music to match and making memories that we can refer back to when I tell you what happened next.
It was a warm day and everyone was out at the pool when I arrived late. I met several other party goers at the front door, who were looking just like themselves – in jeans and tee-shirts, they looked at me with surprise but said nothing as we entered the house. Β I felt that was a bit worrying as I walked up a set of stairs and down a long straight walk way with the pool on one side and the garden fence on the other. Everyone was up under a tree in the far corner and all stopped talking to stare at me as I walked towards them dressed as Madonna with my fishnet singlet, headscarf, heavy make up, black boots and skirt. All that could be heard was the jangling of my crucifixes and chain belts. As I approached the group I could see that not one other person had bothered to dress up. What on earth do you do with a situation like that?. Β When your heart stops beating out of your chest and you just wanna’ have fun ……you ask where the hell your drink is…?
How to make Chocolate Halloween Cupcakes of the Gluten Free Kind
These cupcakes are a bit of fun too. Although they are not really all that original they are a laugh. I had some left over cupcakes and icing from another cake I was making so put these together as a quick Halloween fix. Β I do hope that if you dress up at Halloween you won’t be the only fun one in the room.
Chocolate Halloween Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 250 gm butter
- 250 gm caster sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 50 gm cocoa dark Dutch
- 250 gm almond meal (or other gluten free substitute) or hazelnut meal
- 2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder
- 40 ml milk 2 Tablespoons
Cream Cheese icing
- 125 gm butter leave out to soften
- 150 gm cream cheese softened
- 150 gm icing sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon Juice
- 5 ml vanilla fresh or extract
Instructions
- Oven 180 C /350 F 12-16 cupcake papers in black or brown
- Beat the softened butter till light and add the caster sugar and keep beating till white and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time then the sifted cocoa and baking powder then the almond or hazelnut flour (or alternative) and then the milk. Beat well to combine and fluff and then divide into cupcake papers.
- The mixture only rises a very small amount, so you can fill to just below the top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or till firm to touch
- Cool. Before spreading with icing
- Beat the second lot of softened butter till light then add the softened cream cheese and beat again. Add very finely grated lemon zest and lemon juice the gradually add sifted pure icing sugar 1/2 at a time. Taste, if you like it sweeter add a little bit, more sugar (up to 1/4 cup) and beat well.
- Put into a pipping bag or spread icing onto cooled cakes.
- You can make the boots by moulding the soft liquorice into shoe shapes with your hands. Use a pointy object like a skewer to make enough of a round whole to slot the straw into the boot.
- see the pictures on the blog post
Note, this liquorice is not gluten free
Sally @ simmerandboyle
So very Bridget Jones! Love your “tights” and licorice boots π
GourmetGetaways
Love these!!
How cute π
…as for he retro party, you’re hanging with the wrong crowd, we party AND love dress ups, it is so lame to turn up to a them party and not make an effort. Good on you !!
Stephanie - The Dessert Spoon
I just love these; they are so cute! And I didn’t know you could do that to liquorice either. Thanks for sharing!
Monica @ Gastromony
I love it! The cake looks so moist and I can’t help but smile seeing the witch’s legs up in the air π
celia
Burn her! Burn her! She’s a witch! π Your cupcakes are seriously cute love, as would you have been dressed as Madonna. Did you have a blonde wig on?
yummychunklet
How very festive!
ChgoJohn
I was in a similar situation once. I guess I didn’t get the memo. Thankfully, another was in the same predicament and we ended up hanging together. At least each of us knew the other was of the same mind. Wish we had these cupcakes. Every thing’s better when accompanied by a tasty cupcake.
InTolerant Chef
You should have let them think you always dress that fabulously Tania! I’m sure you could pull it off π
Totally love the witches feet, so very cute indeed! The straws are a great idea.
You can get gluten free licorice at Coles in the health section if you need it next time π xox
Lisa the Gourmet Wog
like Claire said, these are original to me, never seen them before and they look SO fantastic!! Love it x
Amanda (@lambsearshoney)
I absolutely abhor fancy dress parties and you’ve just given me another reason to do so – the fear that no-one else will dress up. I’ll bet you were keen to get that first drink down.
JJ @ 84thand3rd
Oh I had to giggle at your story – in my opinion if you go to a fancy dress party you shouldn’t be allowed in without a costume (or you should be given something ridiculous to wear once you arrive ;D) Love the cakes and I’m so impressed at the boots made from licorice – great tip!!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
How adorable!
Hotly Spiced
That is my worst nightmare. That is why I dread fancy dress because I’m always afraid I’m going to make an arse of myself – it’s that Bridget Jones moment with the Tarts and Vicars party. I wish you could have included a photo of yourself all dressed as Madonna circa 1985! Shame on all those other guests for ignoring what was certainly a very clear dress code. I love your witches! xx
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
LOL oh dear that is a nightmare of mine! I love the cupcake toppers though, they’re adorable! π I think that it would be hilarious to conquer one’s fears and go to every party dressed up as if it were a dress up party. No? π
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
As one who is already in the never never, don’t stop! You are the cutest thing ever and nobody but you could pull off being the only one in costume. π
I love your cupcakes. I. want. one.
Jas@AbsolutelyJas
Oh my goodness Tania! You’ve lived my absolute worst nightmare! I wouldn’t have been brave enough to head for the wine, I would have gone home to change π Agreed though. Who has a ‘retro’ party without dressups?! Gorgeous cakes.
Krista
I’m shaking with laughter at your hilarious moment of being the only one dressed up. What a hoot!!! You definitely needed a drink after that. π
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
These are wonderful – especially the boots!
Deepa@onesmallpot
Hahaha……awww you poor thing! How mortifying! Are the cupcakes a reflection of you wishing the earth would swallow you up head first at that moment?
Super cute idea!
Claire @ Claire K Creations
Well that just means you were the only fun one there! How boring that no one else dressed up. I’d be right there with you, I love a dress up party!
Gorgeous cupcakes. They’re original to me.