Sunday, October 31, 2010

Spiderweb Brownie Cake


Wherever you are, I hope you are able to enjoy the day. This weekend has been big for parties galore-for both grown-ups and children alike. I’ve definitely done my fair share of celebrating this year already. But now I’m looking forward to spending the afternoon today with my boys, Ethan & Timothy and their friends. What are YOU dressing up as this year?

This Spiderweb Brownie Cake came at the perfect time. I had originally planned to make some red velvet bleeding heart cupcakes for one of the parties, but my schedule at home last week was incredibly hectic. I wasn’t able to devote as much time to it (who does, really?) as I wanted to, so I scratched the whole idea all together…and then I saw this. Simple, but still festive. Not too much preparation needed. Not too much creativity, endless frosting colors, or crazy ingredients. In fact, I had all that I needed. I wanted it to look festive….but I really wanted it to taste even better. In fact, if you want….you still have time to make this today in time for your Trick or Treaters!


So, from me to you…. Happy Halloween!


Spiderweb Brownie Cake

Ingredients

For the Brownie:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 and 1/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 and 1/4 cups Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa or Dutch-process cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips

For the cream cheese “web”:
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring (optional)


For the brownies:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ pan, or 9″ springform pan. (You can also use 2 8-inch cake pans.)

2. In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, or in a saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine.

3. Return the mixture to the heat (or microwave) briefly, just until it’s hot (about 110°F to 120°F), but not bubbling; it’ll become shiny looking as you stir it.

4. While the sugar heats a second time, crack the 4 eggs into a bowl, and beat them with the cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla till smooth.

5. Add the hot butter/sugar mixture, stirring until smooth.

6. Add the flour and chips, again stirring until smooth.

7. Spoon the batter into pan.



For the spiderweb:

1. Combine the cream cheese, sugar and flour in a small bowl, and mix until smooth.

2. Add the egg yolk and almond flavoring (if using), mixing until smooth once again.

3. Transfer the mixture to a disposable pastry bag fitted with a standard piping tip (I used Wilton #1).

4.Place a small pool of the mixture in the center of the brownie batter. Draw circles around this pool, about 1 inch apart, moving out from the center each time.

5. Once the circles are drawn, take a table knife, wet the tip, and draw it back and forth through the circle.

6. Use the remaining filling to trace the path where the knife travelled, to create the spokes of the web.

7. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes, until the brownies just barely pull away from the edge of the pan. The center will rise while baking, but will sink back level once the brownies are cool. Remove them from the oven and cool before cutting.Decorate with fake plastic spiders from the Halloween store (since you don’t have time to make cute ones by hand…….) and pretend it’s scary!

Enjoy !!!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Halloween Cheddar Crackers !


Is it really Halloween already? I have been so busy ever since Damian's aunt from Singapore came to visit us and Ethan started Grade 1. Things just get out of hand. To all my dear ones following my blog, I apologize for not having post anything in the last few months. Please forgive me !!!
Halloween is creeping up and I suppose it’s time for some Halloween treats. Making crackers at home is like magic and these are the most magic of all as you watch them puff up into cute little Halloween shapes. Cut this recipe into any shape you prefer to enjoy homemade crackers year round.

Halloween Cheddar Crackers

1 1/3 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
6 tablespoon unsalted butter, diced
8 ounce package shredded triple cheddar cheese, or cheddar of choice
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons water

1. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a food processor pulse together the flour, salt, paprika and onion powder. Add the butter and process until combined. Add the cheddar and pulse until finely chopped. Process in the egg yolk and water until the mixture forms a ball.

3. Remove the dough and knead in your hands for a few turns. Divide in half and roll one part between two pieces of wax paper to 3/8 inch thick. Peel off the wax paper and stamp dough with cookie stamps or cut with cookie cutters. Place the crackers on cookie sheets.

4. Freeze the crackers on the cookie sheets for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Move the cookie sheets to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Cool crackers on cooling racks. Store in an airtight container.

Yields 54 3/8 ounce cookies. Prep time 30 minutes. Baking time 20 minutes.


Enjoy!