Cream Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

Perfect Pairing:  Candy corn topping

Growing up we didn’t have store bought treats in the house.  When my brothers or I were offered a Little Debbie at a friend’s house, we were all over it.  

What we did have at home were amazing homemade desserts every so often, and those most definitely trumped any Little Debbie treat.  One of my all-time favorites were Cream Filled Chocolate Cupcakes. 

Oh gracious, are these fantastic.  My mom got the recipe from a cookbook created by a Sunday school class at our church, called the Circuit Rider’s Cookbook.  

As a little background, a Circuit Rider was a Methodist minister that would ride on horseback from rural church to rural church to preach the good news. 

Well if you know anything about church ladies, you know they can cook, so this little well-loved cookbook has some real gems in it.  You know you have a jackpot recipe when there are stains all over it!

So what we have here are scrumptious from scratch chocolate cupcakes that are piped full of creamy deliciousness and then iced with chocolate fudge icing.  Little Debbie would be ashamed to stand next to them. 

We always seem to make them in the fall and top them off with a candy corn. 

They are a surefire family favorite!  

One year ago on Perfecting the Pairing: Sloppy Joe Dip

Two years ago on Perfecting the Pairing: Pumpkin Crisp

Three years ago on Perfecting the Pairing: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Four years ago on Perfecting the Pairing: Halloween Candy Bark

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Un-Recipe Files - Candy Corn Mix

I feel like I have been slipping with the fall/Halloween themed recipes this year.  Here are a few items from last year that may be perfect for this week’s Halloween parties.

Halloween Candy Bark 

O’Henry Bars

Pumpkin Taco Dip

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Weenie Roast Ideas

Light Pumpkin Cheesecakes

I am definitely in a Halloween mood after this weekend.  I went out to the suburbs and did a little trick or treating with my niece and nephews.  The cutest hippie and skeleton I have ever seen.  I didn’t get a picture of the ninja.  He was pretty cute too!

The kids were able to get a jump start on the trick or treating by going around to participating local businesses. I think they need some training on trick or treating best practices.  They were picking gummy teeth over Snickers and Smarties over Reese’s.  They’ll learn.

I have mixed emotions about candy corn.  I have no desire to eat it by itself but absolutely love it when it is paired with something salty like popcorn or peanuts.  So this un-recipe file is obviously nothing new or innovative, but just a reminder of what to do with the candy corn that always shows up this time of year. Mix it with salted peanuts or salted mixed nuts and it becomes the perfect pairing.

My mom mixed up a canister of candy corn and peanuts and put it out with a little tag for the workers at their new house.  She said they emptied it an afternoon so she refilled it and the same thing happened the next day.  There is just something addictive about that combination!

Happy Halloween!

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O'Henry Bars

Perfect Pairing: Halloween Party

My office had a Halloween Party this year and strongly encouraged everyone to dress up. If it was part of a theme…. even better! The ladies in my department decided on Disney characters. Our cast included Pocahontas, Esmeralda, Snow White, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and Alice in Wonderland. I was Alice. Another group in the company came as Bears Super Fans (think SNL, early 90’s). They were hysterical.

Everyone was encouraged to bring a food item that went along with your theme. Since Alice in Wonderland attends a mad tea party I considered scones and tea sandwiches but somehow that didn’t seem appropriate for an office party. I decided on O’Henrys, a homemade candy bar. They are so simple to make (all in the microwave) and pretty delicious. They are the perfect thing to bring to a Halloween party!

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Halloween Candy Bark

Perfect Pairing:  Halloween Oreos

What is Halloween without candy and sweet treats?  This cute Halloween Candy Bark is full of candy corn, cookies, sprinkles and white chocolate goodness.  The addition of salty pretzels helps balance out the sweetness.  It is a fun treat to make since you can be really creative with the decoration.  I used a combination of candy corn, black sugar, and Halloween themed sprinkles.

The Perfect Pairing for this bark is Halloween Oreos.  You could definitely make this with regular Oreos but I love the bright orange frosting! 

Start off by crushing up your pretzels and Oreos and spread them onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.  I recommend breaking them up on a separate tray to reduce the amount of crumbs.

Pour the white chocolate/almond bark over the pieces and spread it out carefully.  Top it off with your favorite decorations and allow to cool until it has completely hardened.  Serve it up in your favorite Halloween serving piece!

It will be gone before you know it!

 

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