Halloween Cupcakes and Hard Candy

Happy Halloween!  Don't be scared...the blood isn't real.  This is my red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting, red gel frosting (blood) and almond hard candy (glass).  I can't take full credit for this idea, but I did do all of the work.  I either borrowed this idea from pinterest or foodgawker...I can't remember, but go look at both sites if you haven't...they are both amazing.

I'm not posting the cupcake recipe because I have no idea where I got the recipe from (man, I sound like I don't know or remember anything!)...I don't want to take credit for someone else's hard work.  But, if you want a good red velvet recipe I know that I have used recipes from the fabulous Paula Deen.  Here's the hard candy recipe...it's so easy.

Hard Candy

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 3/4 cups white sugar

1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

1 cup water

2 tablespoons flavored extract 

1 teaspoon food coloring, if desired

-Line a sheet cake pan or any cake pan with heavy duty foil. Sprinkle the foil very generously with confectioners' sugar.
-In a large heavy saucepan, combine the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves (took me about 7 minutes). Stop stirring, and boil until a candy thermometer reads 300 to 310 degrees F (took me about 30 minutes). Remove from heat.
-Stir in the extract and food coloring. Pour onto the prepared foil, and allow to cool and harden. Crack into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

*recipe adapted from allrecipes.

What a delicious looking weiner he is!  I hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!



I've been BOO'D

So...today when I came home at lunch to let Cash out I thought I saw something peculiar on the front porch.  As I pulled in the garage I convinced myself that the glitter styrofoam pumpkin I had on the outdoor table must have blown over.  When I opened the door I was super excited to see what was there.

I had been boo'd.  Basically one of my sweet neighbors had dropped off a Halloween basket full of candies other Halloween tidbits.  There was also a paper inside the basket saying within 2 days I need to fix up a basket and boo 2 more neighbors as well as a paper to put on the door saying I've been boo'd.  What fun!  I immediately left for the local DG (Dollar General) to gather everything I need to make my own boo basket.

Here comes the dilemma...which 2 neighbors should I choose AND what all should I put in the boo basket?  I am the absolute worst decision maker ever (ask Ronny).  But, I managed to choose and not take to long since I did have to go back to work.

My boo basket!...(I know it's the same pumpkin basket...it's a small town...DG is the only choice).  I couldn't resist eyeball gum or squishy rat toys.  Then, other candies to fill the basket.  I delivered one basket to neighbors I knew had kids (hope they liked it) and the other...well...I can't decide.  I'll just have to make a decision and go with it.

This has been so much fun, very easy, and pretty inexpensive.  You outta try it in your neighborhood!

About Me

Hellew...I'm Blair, The Dashing Dessertress.  I love all things food.  I love to bake food, cook food, look at food, photograph food and eat food.  But cupcakes are my favorite.  Cupcakes are amazing, awesome, and totally the best!  I also love fashion and travel.

I'm married to my high school sweetheart, Ronny.

We've been together since 2003...kind of seems like forever already.  Then we got married in 2009.  It was fabulous.

We like to go to OSU football and basketball games (go OU).  We love the Boston Red Sox...Fenway Park is amazing...it'll take your breath away.  We watch The Office on bluray, laugh like crazy and eat snacks in the evening.  Ronny is obsessed with hunting...I'd never go.  We have 3 dashing dogs.  They tend to drive me crazy, but I love them anyway.

This is Cash Bentley Hepburn-Hedrick.  He was born before Ronny and I got married...that's why the last name is hyphenated (Hepburn is after Audrey, duh).  He is very snotty...thinks he's the ruler of all...thinks he's the meanest, biggest dog ever...he loves quilts, but must be made of minkee...he love visitors, going on drives, sleeping in front of the space heater, and eating bananas and cheese.  Did I mention he is VERY spoiled?

This is Rebel...just plain Rebel.  Ronny named him.  He is a beautiful white/yellow Lab.  His hobbies are barking, running along the fence, digging, and barking.  When he was a baby he was attacked by a vicious Rottweiler.  Obviously, he survived...I think that somehow made him quite mellow.  He is really a very good dog except for the barking.

This beautiful red dog is Jax Frankie.  I know you're thinking what kind of dog is that?  He's a Vizsla.  I know you're thinking what's a Vizsla?  It's a rust colored hunting dog.  He has an extreme load of energy...he is an escape artist...he is friends with all neighborhood dogs (he's an escape artist)...he loves to eat...he can pose like a statue, he's amazing.  I constantly take up for him, I have to he's wonderfully handsome and my youngest.

Now that you know about the dogs you know that I am crazy.  Well, that's me...I hope you think my blog is DASHING!