Darken up your Halloween menu
When it comes to decorating for Halloween parties, black and orange are popular colors. But many holidays revolve around food, and Halloween is no different. From children’s parties to adult parties to school parties, food is often the focus of the event. Whether you are trying to serve fun foods or scary foods, few things are as festive for Halloween as food and beverages that are as black as the Halloween night—and fit well with black and orange decorations.
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The colors of grape and orange drink mixes combine to make a deep, dark and scary punch.
Black Halloween Punch
1 .13-ounce envelope unsweetened grape drink mix, such as Kool-Aid
1 .13-ounce envelope unsweetened orange drink mix, such as Kool-Aid
2 cups granulated sugar
12 cups cold water
1 liter ginger ale
Stir together grape soft drink mix, orange soft drink mix, sugar and water until solids are dissolved. Combine with chilled ginger ale just before serving. Makes about 32 servings.
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To easily make a cup of strong brewed coffee, add 1 tablespoon instant coffee to 1 cup hot water.
Black Magic Cake
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9x13-inch pan; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture; add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pans.
Bake until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool completely. Frost as desired. Makes 24 servings.
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Pantry Pointers
Gummy worms are a great addition to any Halloween party. For creepier beverages, fill ice cube trays with water and add a gummy worm to each cube. Freeze until solid. Simple cupcakes become Halloween treats when gummy worms are crawling out of them.
Turn store-bought white frosting into Halloween orange frosting with food coloring. For every tub of ready-to-spread frosting, add 4 to 5 drops yellow food coloring and 3 drops red food coloring. Mix well.
The Practical Pantry ©2004 Tammy P. Olson
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