Getting ready for Halloween,
Fun for the Kids in the Kitchen
and
Twit Woo Hooting Halloween Owl
Cupcakes
It’s nearly that time of year again, Hallowe’en or All Hallows Eve…….the eve of the 1st November, which is All Souls Day; the 1st November is also the pagan festival of Samhain ~ the ancient feast that marked the end of the season of the sun (summer) and the start of the season of the darkness and cold (winter). The supernatural elements that abound at this time of year are probably a remnant of the Celts and their belief that the evil spirits came out as the nights drew longer and colder and the barriers between the spirit world and our own was at its weakest…….and, one way of banishing the evil spirits was to light bonfires and make merry around the burning flames whilst feasting and dancing.
This time of year is now known for the very modern activity of “Trick or Treating”, which, again may be a leftover from the religious and old custom of “Souling”, when Christians would visit their neighbours and offer prayers for the dead and in return they would be offered money or “Soul cakes”, little spiced buns almost akin to biscuits. However, today it is the children that dress up and visit their neighbours for treats in order that nasty tricks are not performed! And what better for them to make these wonderful little owls for Halloween tea……the cakes can be made with the children in the kitchen and they can certainly get involved with the decorating too.
These are GREAT fun…..just bake some chocolate fairy cakes, muffins or cupcakes, decorate them and then turn them into Hooting Halloween Owls, just like that ~ it’s magic. I made these last year for a children’s Halloween party, and they all loved them. The recipe is based on our British fairy cake or angel cake recipe, where the top of the baked cake or muffin is cut off to create the “wings”. This wonderful recipe idea is one that I have adapted slightly from Tana Ramsay, the wife of the famous Gordon Ramsay…..she has some great family recipes, of which this is one.
I also have some spooky companion cakes to go with these owls, I will post the recipe and photos next week nearer to Halloween……as they are MUCH spookier than these wise little owls. I have to own up and say that when I make these, I am chuckling away like a mad woman in the kitchen……I LOVE making fun cakes and bakes, and these little owls make me laugh as I build their faces up with sweets and butter-cream.
For my blogging buddies across the large puddle, I have suggested sweets (candy) that are British – please use your own local sweets to decorate the owls…..I have used Liquorice All sorts for mine. Even if you don’t have any wee ones at home, do give these a go, all my adult friends ask me to make them every year ~ they’re daft as brushes all of them! More Halloween bakes and cooking to follow next week, have fun in the kitchen and see you soon.
Karen
Twit Woo Hooting Halloween Owl
Cupcakes
(Makes 12 muffin size cakes and 24 smaller fairy cake size cakes.)
Ingredients:
CAKES:
-
-
- 300g butter, softened
- 300g golden caster sugar
- 225g self-raising flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 medium eggs
-
FOR ICING AND DECORATION:
-
- 200g butter, softened
- 300g icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- liquorice all sorts, sweets or candies
- paper baking cups, brown
Method:
For the owl cakes:
Heat oven to 190C/380F/gas 5. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with brown muffin cases. Beat the first 5 ingredients to a smooth batter and spoon between the cases, almost filling them to the top. You may have a little left over. (Alternatively, use a fairy cake or cup cake tin for smaller ones – again, try to find some brown paper cases. You should be able to make 24 “owls” if you make them in the smaller cake tin.) Bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and spongy. Cool on a rack.
Decorating the Owls:
Beat the butter and icing sugar until smooth, and then add the cocoa powder, mixing well. Slice off the very tops of the cakes and cut each piece in to half. Spread a generous layer of icing over each cake.
Working on one cake at a time, take a pair of the large round liquorice all sorts sweets that are yellow or pink with black centres, see photos. Sit the eyes on top of the cake; then add the two pieces of cake cut from the top (curved edge up) behind the eyes but slightly slanted towards the eyes – to make the eyebrows or owl’s ears. Finish by adding a piece of orange or pink sweet, in between the eyes to the front, for the beak.
Watch the owls “fly” off the table when the children see them!
Baking Addict says
These are really cute! I spy some spidery legs in the background, can't wait to see what's next. I'm getting excited about Halloween now. I was even considering carving my very first pumpkin! I may have to borrow your cupcake decorating ideas as the books with halloween decorating ideas that I have are American. Using liquorice is genius.
Corina says
These are really cute. Everyone loves chocolate cake so they'll be great for adults and children!
carolinajewel says
These are too cute! Love those little owl faces – now I'm thinking what American candies could be as cute! Candy corn for the bill, but those eyes? Thanks for sharing! I love your fairy cakes!!!
La Table De Nana says
Licorice allsorts were my faves as a young girl:) Cute Karen!
Liz says
Aw … they look lovely and yummy!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
Janice says
Love your owls. Such a clever idea, really very simple for a quick but effective novelty cake. We live so far out we don't get any Halloween visitors, might be different once my grandson grows up!
Choclette says
Karen, you're a wonder. These had me hooting and smiling and I have bookmarked this so I can make them at my very next party (whenever that is) – who wouldn't adore these. This is another interesting and fun post, though I feel much happier about the feasting and dancing than the trick and treating.
A Trifle Rushed says
Perfect Karen. We have a few play dates this week (half term) and I always like to take edible child friendly gifts. I can see myself and my five year old working in the kitchen tomorrow!
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
too cute for Halloween but I think they look a little like the large Muppet monster, do you know the one I mean, the big tall brown one… anyway I love them!
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Baking Addict ~ yes, spiders are up next!
Corina ~ Exactly, why can't adults have fun too!
Jewel ~ candy corn would be perfect for the bill…..yes! Thanks!
Monique ~ thanks, LOVE liquorice all sorts still!
Thanks Liz ~ fun and tasty = result!
Janice ~ I have NO wee ones here now and yet I my friends ask me to make these every year, and the spiders that I will post later too!
Thanks Choclette ~ I am SO with you on the feasting and dancing and trick or treating….glad these made you laugh!
Thanks Jude ~ these would be great for play in the kitchen ~ I have some spiders to post too ~ next week!
LOL! Dom, I nearly spattered the keyboard with wine, that made me laugh! YES I DO know the one you mean and you are RIGHT!
Gardenteacakesandme says
These looks fantastic I would never of thought to use Liquorice Allsorts, just perfect!
thelittleloaf says
I love these owls, they're so unbelievably cute. Great for kids and big kids like me! They look like they would taste delicious with all that fudgey icing too – not just pretty to look at 🙂
ruth says
I love your cupcakes, just brilliant! And I never knew about the background to trick or treating either. Thanks for sharing the recipe too.
millefeuilles says
Oh Karen, these owls are absolutely marvellous! There simplcity is crafty and appealing!
It's getting frosty here near Tours but we are still blessed with blue skies. How about you?
Karen S Booth says
Thanks Gardenteacakesandme! Fun to make and easy to eat!!
The Little Loaf ~ thanks, yes, GREAT fun to make!
Thanks Ruth…..let me know if you make the recipe!
millefeuilles ~ thanks Stephanie, your children would love making these! it is warm and wet in Saintes….weird, and also windy!
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
I LOVE the idea of these! The eyes are my favourite bit, just so perfect. Who would have thought it, liquorice allsorts were always meant to be owl eyes!x
Fuss Free Helen says
How lovely are they. Love the eyes.
I made soul cakes last year. I suppose in the abscence of any up to day material republish them.
Lauren says
I hate licorice, but I always love the way allsorts look and they make perfect owl eyes! I actually saw some the other day at World Market and got all excited because I didn't know they were even imported to the United States. No kids, but I'll have to get my husband to help make some owls. They're too cute!!!
Kentish Keg-Meg says
Loved these little owls. Just made me laugh looking at them, they are soooo adorable. Just got to make some.
Working london mummy says
these are so cute! loving the ideas for halloween you have come up with!
hungryhinny says
Just saw your tweet about these, they are super cute!!
Karen says
Thanks! I was just tidying up my old posts and thought I would tweet these and my spider cakes, as Halloween is soon! Karen 🙂
Camilla @Fabfood4all says
My favourite is the Owl with the squint in the background:-)
Karen says
Yes, he is rather engaging isn’t he! Karen
anthony harrington says
these are so cute! excellent idea!
Vohn says
These are so cute and owls are so on-trend just now that these shouldn’t just be relegated to Halloween!
Andrew Petrie says
The liquorice Allsorts are a great idea – fantastic for kids Birthday parties.
Galina V says
Woohoo, these owls are so cute.
Maria Turner says
These are so cute and suitable for any time of year. Owls are so trendy now I think everyone would want to make them – share on my facebook wall 🙂
Fiona Matters says
These look fabulous! I’m always amazed how chocolaty cakes can look while only having a little bit of coco in them. Lovely and easy for kids but look fabulous!
Tracy Nixon says
shared via G+
Lisa Williams says
so fun I am tweeting this 🙂
Lynne OConnor says
Love these. Tweeted
Andrew Petrie says
shared on facebook.Andrew Petrie
Tracy Nixon says
shared on FB as Tracy K Nixon
Fiona Matters says
I adore these. A great excuse to buy licorice all sorts – which I haven’t had in years! I love the way you’ve used the top of the cakes for the “ears” sort of like butterfly cakes. Tweeted.