DIY family costume inspired by The Gashlycrumb Tinies: A Very Gorey Alphabet Book
Hello my friend,
However you choose to learn, I am here to help you along your lifelong journey!
During the Halloween season many people lament all of the ideas and inspiration that they had throughout the year. Have you found yourself thinking, “Oh THAT is such a great costume idea! I will remember closer to fall!” only to not remember your brilliant plan?
Whether your goal is a completely homemade costume and concept or you just need a nudge in the direction of what to pull together using store bought costumes and accessories, I will not judge. Life has a way of pushing priorities and if you are only able to pull it together at the last minute and focus on having a good time with your kids this is still a win in my book!
Current Multi-Character Concepts:
Pokemon
Encanto
Aladdin
Peter Pan
Toy Story
Storybook Ideas:
Harry Potter
The Magic School Bus
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Alice In Wonderland
Where The Wild Things Are
Remember, your children will not care how expertly made the costumes are, but their childhood memories of the way your family celebrated together will last their lifetimes. Be gentle with yourself and have fun!!!
All things Halloween Graveyard (👈 click title to see the KXAN Studio 512 episode)
To decorate, you will need:
A bag of chocolate chips
A bag of large pretzel sticks
A box of food coloring
Brownie Recipe (or use your favorite box mix)
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups white sugar
1⁄2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup walnut halves
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan and set aside.
Combine the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, eggs, flour, baking powder, and salt. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Decorate with walnut halves, if desired.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with crumbs, not wet. Cool on wire rack.
Chocolate Buttercream Recipe
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it is smooth, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder to the bowl and beat until combined. With the stand mixer running on low speed, slowly stream in the milk and vanilla extract, then add the salt and continue beating until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to high and beat the frosting for an additional 2 minutes. Use the frosting immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Sugar Cookie Recipe
(or use your favorite store-bought, undecorated cookies)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, but makes the flavor outstanding)
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be relatively soft. If the dough seems too soft and sticky for rolling, add 1 Tablespoon more flour. Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Place each portion onto a piece of lightly floured parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone baking mat.
With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. The rolled-out dough can be any shape, as long as it is evenly 1/4-inch thick. Lightly dust one of the rolled-out doughs with flour. Place a piece of parchment on top. (This prevents sticking.) Place the 2nd rolled-out dough on top. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours and up to 2 days.
Once chilled, preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Carefully remove the top dough piece from the refrigerator. If it’s sticking to the bottom, run your hand under it to help remove it. Using a cookie cutter, cut the dough into shapes. Re-roll the remaining dough and continue cutting until all is used. Repeat with 2nd piece of dough.
Arrange cookies on baking sheets 3 inches apart. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. If your oven has hot spots, rotate the baking sheet halfway through bake time. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Royal Icing
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 large egg white, or equivalent amount of dried egg whites
1⁄2 teaspoon water
In a large bowl, combine the sugar, egg white, and water. Mix the ingredients together with a wooden spoon, until the icing is thickened and smooth, about 2 minutes. The icing will keep up to 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before using, beat it with a fork. Stir in very small amounts of water if it seems too thick.
HALLOWEEN CAKE CLASS - $45
SATURDAY, 10/29 from 11:00am-2:00pm
Come make a Halloween cake that is sure to scare any onlooker!
In this class we will bake a cake together and also make buttercream frosting. Each attendee will be given a list of different ingredients that can be used for decorations and then Chef Pascal will guide the kids so they each create their own personal Halloween cake.
Only basic baking tools will be needed to take this class! Siblings, parents, and friends are welcome to join for no additional enrollment fee, as long as everyone is using the same device. Remember sharing is caring and you can setup the laptop high enough for everyone to see.