We topped elegant strawberry shortcake with a ghoulish white chocolate skull in this spectacular Halloween dessert. Pour over the hot strawberry sauce to reveal the surprise inside!
Level:Intermediate
Total:2 hr 45 min(includes chilling and cooling times)
Active:1 hr 10 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Chocolate Skull:
4 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil
4 ounces strawberries, sliced
Cake and Filling:
Nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook’s Note)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
8 ounces strawberries, sliced
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 cups sweetened whipped cream
Strawberry White Chocolate Sauce:
8 ounces strawberries, finely chopped
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 ounces red candy melting wafers
Directions
1. For the chocolate skull: Add the white chocolate melting wafers and coconut oil to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
2. Pour the chocolate mixture into the front and back cavities of a 2-part medium plastic skull mold (3-by-4-by-4-inch) and tilt to swirl the chocolate around until coated entirely (you can also use your finger to swirl the chocolate around). Tap out any excess and freeze until the chocolate is set, about 5 minutes.
3. Reheat the melted chocolate, if needed, and brush the sides of the mold cavities with a second layer. Freeze until set, about 5 minutes.
4. Carefully unmold the skull halves and fill one with the sliced strawberries. Microwave the melted chocolate again until smooth, about 30 seconds. Use the melted chocolate as glue to carefully attach the skull halves. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. For the cake and filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 6-inch round cake pan with 3-inch sides with nonstick spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment and spray the paper.
6. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
7. Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat on low just to incorporate, then beat on high until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and egg, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl, and continue to beat until creamy, about 2 minutes (the mixture will look curdled, but will come back together after everything is combined). With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the sour cream in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
8. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan, turn the cake out onto the rack, remove the parchment and cool completely.
10. Meanwhile toss the sliced strawberries and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside for at least 30 minutes to allow the strawberries to release their juices.
11. Cut the cake into 3 layers with a long serrated knife. Place a cake layer on a cake stand and top with half of the strawberries. Spread 3/4 cup of the whipped cream on top. Repeat with another cake layer, the remaining strawberries and 3/4 cup whipped cream. Top with the final cake layer and remaining 1/2 cup whipped cream. Position the skull in the center of the whipped cream.
12. For the strawberry white chocolate sauce: Add the strawberries and granulated sugar to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have broken down and thickened slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and vanilla. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and return the liquid to the saucepan (discard the solids). Add the cream and red candy melting wafers to the sauce and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until melted and hot, 10 to 15 minutes.
13. When ready to serve, pour the hot sauce over the center of the chocolate skull.
Cook’s Note
When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
I recently found myself with several over ripe bananas and leftover Buttermilk. I know over ripe bananas usually mean a batch or two of Banana Bread, but I still had a few loaves in the freezer. Besides I wasn’t in the mood for Banana Bread.
I was however in the mood for cake! So why not bake some banana cupcakes? Then I remember that a local bakery sold this yummy banana cake with Chantilly Icing. I think Chantilly icing must a a local Hawaii favorite because the recipe isn’t too easy to come by.
You might be wondering what Chantilly Icing is. Well it’s sort of hard to describe, it’s sweet, creamy, and buttery; kind of but not quite like the frosting on a German Chocolate cake.
In Hawaii Chantilly icing is used on Chantilly Cake which is very similar to a German Chocolate Cake but with macadamia nuts instead of coconut flakes. It’s also used to top Liliha Bakery’s Coco Puffs, those delectable chocolate cream filled puffs. It’s also used on Banana Cake!
So to make these really yummy Banana Cupcakes with Chantilly Icing I used 2 different recipes. The Banana Cake recipe and a recipe for that delicious Chantilly Frosting. The frosting I made was more than enough to ice the cupcakes. I refrigerated the leftover frosting and used them on a chocolate cake a few days later.
Banana Cupcakes
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Butter, softened to room temperature
2 Cups Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
2 Very Ripe Bananas, mashed
2 Tsp. Lemon Juice
3 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 Tsp. Salt
1 1/2 Cup Buttermilk
Directions:
Preheat Oven to 325 degrees
Line Cupcake tins with cupcake wrappers
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time.
Beat in vanilla and cinnamon.
Add lemon juice to mashed bananas and stir until smooth.
Add to butter mixture.
Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together.
Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture.
Mix well.
Pour batter into cupcake wraps about 3/4 full.
Smooth tops.
Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool.
Frost when completely cooled.
Chantilly Icing
Ingredients:
1 2/3 Cup Butter
1 1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk
1 1/2 Cup Baker’s or Caster Sugar
2 Tsp. Vannilla
2 Eggs
2 Egg Yolks
2 Tbs. Corn Starch
Directions:
Melt Butter in saucepan over medium low heat.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Whisk in milk, sugar, and vanilla.
Then whisk in eggs and yolks one at a time.
Cook on medium hear until it comes to s low boil. Whisking is it intermittently.
Once it boils cook for another 2 minutes continuing to whisk intermittently.
Remove from heat then quickly sift in cornstarch while whisking. Whisk cornstarch quickly and hard to prevent it from lumping.
Pour into a shallow bowl and cool to room temp.
Cover and refrigerate about 3 hours or until it’s in a spreadable consistency.
Frico cups are small cups made entirely out of cheese. They are naturally low carb, gluten-free, and completely irresistible.
You know that little bit of cheese that oozes onto the skillet when making a grilled cheese sandwich? The stuff that turns dark and crispy and perfect for popping in your mouth? Frico cups are essentially an entire serving bowl made of that rich crispy cheese.
You can make them in various sizes. Yet I’ve discovered if you bake them about the size of a paper muffin liner and fill them with a smaller serving of salad, they’re more likely to disappear!
Frico is what Italians call the wafer like crisp that forms when you bake or fry shredded cheese.
This delicate, baked Parmesan cheese cups are deceptively easy to make. You can fill them with whatever you want, but grape tomato, olive and feta make for a light and refreshing snack.
Ingredients
For the Frico Cups
Parmesan cheese (3 tbsp. per cup)
For the Grape Tomato, Olive and Feta Salad
4 c. grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 c. green olives, sliced and pitted
1/3 c. crumbled feta cheese
1 tbsp. olive oil
Kosher salt
black pepper
Basil, for garnish
For the Sesame Cucumber and Radish Salad
1 English cucumber, finely chopped
3 large radishes, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. lime juice
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
2 tbsp. black and white sesame seeds
Kosher salt
black pepper
For the Farro, Corn and Green Onion Salad
4 ears corn, husked
2 c. cooked farro
2 green onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
Kosher salt
black pepper
Directions
For the Frico Cups: Grate Parmesan and make piles, 2 inches apart, on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F until melted but not quite brown (6 minutes); use a thin metal spatula to quickly transfer to muffin pan, pressing lightly in centers. Cool before filling.
For the Grape Tomato, Olive and Feta Salad: In medium bowl, combine grape tomatoes, green olives, feta cheese, sherry vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; garnish with basil.
For the Sesame, Cucumber and Radish Salad: Toss cucumbers and radishes with lime juice, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Season with salt and pepper.
For the Farro, Corn and Green Onion Salad: Preheat grill on medium-high. Grill corn 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from grill, let cool. Cut kernels off into large bowl; toss with farro, green onions, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Simple, summery and a great little appetizer with a salty parmesan bowl of its own.!
What’s better than a chicken pot pie? A chicken pot pie topped with a flaky puff pastry!
Don’t you love it when you decide on what to make for dinner and you just so happen to have everything you need right in your very own kitchen? It’s rare, but it happened to me when I had a craving for chicken pot pie.
I started rummaging through my fridge, pantry, and freezer, and was amazed to find that I could pull this together without even running to the store. I found puff pastry leftover from my Peach Tarts, heavy cream from my Salted Caramel Oat Bars, and fresh thyme from my Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage or 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon half-and-half cream, divided
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (about 10 ounces)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 large egg yolk
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each pastry sheet into a 12×10-in. rectangle. Cut one sheet crosswise into six 2-in. strips; cut remaining sheet lengthwise into five 2-in. strips. On a baking sheet, closely weave strips to make a 12×10-in. lattice. Freeze while making filling.
Toss chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat; saute chicken until browned, 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan.
In same skillet, heat remaining butter over medium-high heat; saute onion until tender, 5-7 minutes. Stir in garlic and herbs; cook 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in broth and 1 cup cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Stir in vegetables, lemon juice, chicken and the remaining salt and pepper; return to a boil. Transfer to a greased 2-1/2 qt. oblong baking dish. Top with lattice, trimming to fit.
Whisk together egg yolk and remaining cream; brush over pastry. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and golden brown, 45-55 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if it starts getting too dark. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Test Kitchen Tips
For a crisper crust, bake on a rimmed baking sheet. Trim lattice to fit baking dish, then place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°. for 20-25 minutes. Then place on top of your hot filling before serving.
Unless otherwise specified, Taste of Home recipes are tested with lightly salted butter. Unsalted, or sweet, butter is sometimes used to achieve a buttery flavor, such as in shortbread cookies or buttercream frosting. In these recipes, added salt would detract from the buttery taste desired.
To make a fresh garlic clove easy to peel, gently crush it with the flat side of a large knife blade to loosen the peel. If you don’t have a large knife, you can crush the garlic with a small can. The peel will come right off.
Check out 11 of our most genius crumb crust ideas.
I’ve been creating low carb broccoli dish for years, however typically not with cranberries, since the shop bought ones are filled with sugar. Since I started creating sugar-free dried cranberries recently, it had been time to alter up my broccoli dish instruction and add those in. when one or two experiments, this straightforward broccoli cranberry dish with bacon and walnuts has become a daily at our house.
When I was trying to find ways that to use my new sugar-free dried cranberries, i used to be torn regarding what quite cranberry dish recipes to form. Sweet or savory I’m therefore glad I settled on this broccoli dish with bacon. Give it a attempt. It simply may become a replacement favorite at your house, too. And, if you celebrate Christmas, you’ll love adding its red and inexperienced palette to your vacation table!
Making broccoli bacon dish could be a breeze. mix all the ingredients during a giant bowl, whisk the dressing during a tiny bowl, and blend ’em along. That’s it! This makes a good make-ahead or nightlong dish, and also the flavors get even higher if you refrigerate it for a moment. Healthy olivie dish could be a nice nightlong dish still. There are not any greens to wilt or get slimed, therefore it stores well and is totally fantastic consecutive day.
1 bunch Broccoli (chopped into small florets) 1/4 cup Red onion (sliced) 1/2 cup Sugar-free dried cranberries (or any dried cranberries) 1/2 cup Walnuts (chopped; or pumpkin seeds for nut-free) 1/2 cup Bacon bits (cooked) 1/2 cup Mayonnaise 1 tbsp Olive oil 1 tbsp Lemon juice 1 tsp Orange zest 1/2 tsp Garlic powder 1 1/2 tbsp Sweetener of choice (optional, to taste – preferably powdered or liquid*) 1/2 tsp Poppy seeds (optional) Sea salt (to taste) Black pepper (to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine the chopped broccoli, red onion, cranberries, walnuts, and bacon bits in a large bowl. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, orange zest, sweetener, and poppy seeds (if using). Adjust sweetener to taste. Season with sea salt and black peper to taste. 3. Stir the dressing into the vegetable mixture. Refrigerate for an hour for better flavor (optional).
Broccoli Cranberry Salad Recipes with Bacon and Walnuts
You know that little bit of cheese that oozes onto the skillet when making a grilled cheese sandwich? The stuff that turns dark and crispy and perfect for popping in your mouth? Frico cups are essentially an entire serving bowl made of that rich crispy cheese.
Don’t you love it when you decide on what to make for dinner and you just so happen to have everything you need right in your very own kitchen? It’s rare, but it happened to me when I had a craving for chicken pot pie.
