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Cream Cheese Brownies

Cream Cheese Brownies

Looking for a fun twist on a party favorite? These cream cheese brownies are delicious. Additionally, use some food coloring and sprinkles to add those extra Halloween touches that make this a party favorite. 

The Ingredients

Brownie Layer:
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • ½ cup all purpose white flour
  • ½ cup dark cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Layer:
  • Cream Cheese Layer:
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. (Brownie Layer) In a medium bowl, add the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
  3. (Brownie Layer) In a small bowl, add the eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix with a fork until well combined.
  4. (Brownie Layer) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined.
  5. (Brownie Layer) Reserve ¼ cup of the batter for the swirls then pour the remaining batter into the prepared baking dish.
  6. (Cream Cheese Layer) In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, sugar, egg, & vanilla. Blend until smooth. (If desired, add food coloring for that special Halloween look).
  7. Gently spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter.
  8. Drop tablespoons of the remaining brownie batter on top and gently swirl with a knife or skewer.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. Remove and let cool completely before slicing. Add your sprinkles to top.

Cream Cheese Brownie

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 9
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 357
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Brownie Layer
  • 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • ½ cup all purpose white flour
  • ½ cup dark cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 2 eggs (large)
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Layer
  • 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
  • ¼ cup granulated white sugar
  • 1 egg (large)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8" x 8" baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. (Brownie Layer) In a medium bowl, add the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
  3. (Brownie Layer) In a small bowl, add the eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix with a fork until well combined.
  4. (Brownie Layer) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until just combined.
  5. (Brownie Layer) Reserve ¼ cup of the batter for the swirls then pour the remaining batter into the prepared baking dish.
  6. (Cream Cheese Layer) In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, sugar, egg, & vanilla. Blend until smooth.
  7. Gently spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter.
  8. Drop tablespoons of the remaining brownie batter on top and gently swirl with a knife or skewer.
  9. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. Remove and let cool completely before slicing.

Want some sweet treats? Try some of these recipes:

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

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Halloween Scavenger Hunt

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Categories
Food Lifestyle

Spooky Sugar Cookies

Spooky Sugar Cookies

Who says sugar cookies are just for Christmas? These spooky sugar cookies are great for Halloween parties (or a Krampus holiday party). I use a vegan recipe so all my friends can enjoy, but you can easily swap the vegan ingredients for regular milk and butter for a standard recipe. Bring out your favorite Halloween-shaped cookie cutters and have fun decorating!

The Cookies

Vegan Sugar Cookies

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 15 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 146
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup vegan butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almon extract (optional)
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp hot water
  • 1 ¾ cup flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp almond or soy milk (divided)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or baking mat
  3. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and brown sugar until well blended (using a stand mixer works best)
  4. Combine the baking soda and 1 tbsp hot water in a small bowl. Stir until the baking soda is dissolved
  5. Add the baking soda mix into the butter and sugar mixture. Add the vanilla and (optional) almond extract. Continue to mix until well blended
  6. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt until well blended
  7. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture
  8. Add the milk 1 tbsp at a time until the dough comes together. Form into a silky smooth ball
  9. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, using additional flour as needed to avoid sticking. Lightly flour the top of the dough
  10. Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use parchment paper between the rolling pin and dough to prevent sticking
  11. Using your favorite Halloween cookie-cutters, cut out the cookies
  12. Place cookies 1 inch apart on the lined baking sheet
  13. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes
  14. Allow cookies to completely cool on a wire rack before adding frosting

The Frosting

Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup vegan butter (softened)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • ⅓  cup flour
  • 1 tbsp almond or soy milk
  • ½  tbsp vanilla
  • food coloring (various colors)

Method
 

  1. Combine butter, salt, and brown sugar
  2. Add powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly
  3. Add flour. Stir thoroughly
  4. Add milk and vanilla. Stir thoroughly
  5. Divide the mixture into multiple bowls (one for each color you plan to use)
  6. Add drops of food coloring to turn each portion into the desired color
  7. Pipe the frosting onto cooled cookies
  8. Allow the cookies to dry for a few hours. Do not stack them on top of one another until the frosting sets

Cookie Designs

Unleash your creativity to make spooky sugar cookies. Ideas to try include:

  • Orange Pumpkins with Carved Faces
  • Frankenstein’s Monsters
  • Wide-Eyed Owls
  • Black Cats
  • Black Bats
  • Ghastly White Ghosts

Add sprinkles and decorative icing for details. 

Show me your spooky sugar cookie creations on Facebook & Instagram!

For more spooky desserts, try:

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

October 19, 2026 No Comments

Halloween night is fast-approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your pumpkin already, it is time to think about going out to get one. Big or small, orange or white, and

Read More »

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

October 18, 2026 No Comments

I spy with my little eye: a spooky Halloween scavenger hunt! Games and activities liven up parties by sparking conversations and creating fun challenges for friends. A scavenger hunt is

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13 Halloween Movies

October 17, 2026 No Comments

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Categories
Food Lifestyle

Mini Pumpkin Bake

Mini Pumpkin Bake

A yearly tradition I have with my roommate is enjoying a Mini Pumpkin Bake each autumn. Knowing my love for Fall foods, she made this for me early on in our friendship and it remains one of my favorite treats that she makes. It is easy to adapt to suit any particular tastes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

The Ingredients

  • Two Small Sugar Pumpkins
  • 1 Sweet Apple (Like a Honeycrisp, Amrbosia, or Gala), Chopped
  • ¼ Cup Dried Fruit (My Roommate Likes Dried Blueberries & Berries, I Prefer a Strawberry & Berry Mix)
  • 2 tbsp Dried Cranberries or Raisins
  • 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 2 tbsp Butter, Melted

The Recipe

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350℉
  2. Cut off the pumpkin top; reserve. Scrape out the seeds.
  3. In a small bowl, add the Chopped Apple, Dried Fruit, Dried Cranberries or Raisins, Brown Sugar, Pumpkin Pie Spice, and Melted Butter. Stir thoroughly until evenly coated with butter.
  4. Scoop a generous portion of the mixture into each of the pumpkins. Replace the pumpkin top.
  5. Transfer the pumpkin to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake in the pre-heated oven until tender, about 30 minutes.

Mini Pumpkin Bake

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Mini Sweet Pumpkins
  • 1 Sweet Apple (Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Gala) Chopped
  • ¼ cup Dried Fruit (Berries, Strawberries, Blueberries, etc.)
  • 2 tbsp Dried Cranberries or Raisins
  • 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Method
 

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350℉
  2. Cut off the pumpkin top; reserve. Scrape out the seeds
  3. In a small bowl, add the Chopped Apple, Dried Fruit, Dried Cranberries or Raisins, Brown Sugar, Pumpkin Pie Spice, and Melted Butter. Stir thoroughly until evenly coated with butter
  4. Scoop a generous portion of the mixture into each of the pumpkins. Replace the pumpkin top
  5. Transfer the pumpkin to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet
  6. Bake in the pre-heated oven until tender, about 30 minutes

More Autumn Treats

Want some other autumn dishes to go with your mini pumpkin bake? Try some of these recipes:

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

October 19, 2026 No Comments

Halloween night is fast-approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your pumpkin already, it is time to think about going out to get one. Big or small, orange or white, and

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Halloween Scavenger Hunt

October 18, 2026 No Comments

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13 Halloween Movies

October 17, 2026 No Comments

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Read More »
Categories
Food Lifestyle

Apple Cider Recipe

Apple Cider Recipe

Get into that autumn frame of mind with a tasty apple cider recipe. 

Growing up in Western New York, I often visited apple orchards and pumpkin farms in the fall. The spiced apple cider was always fresh and delicious. Now in SoCal, more often than not my apple cider comes from a carton. It still brings back memories of hayrides and corn mazes, but I miss the homemade taste. For those of us who can’t just hop on over to a nearby apple orchard, here is a recipe to try at home. 

Step-by-Step Apple Cider Recipe

  1. Cut 10 large apples into quarters (removing the core & seeds).
    • Did you know that there are over 7,500 varieties of apples? For cider, I prefer sweet varieties of apple. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Golden Russet, Sugar Crisp, and Gala are just a handful are great choices. If you prefer a more tart and acidic cider, try Pink Lady or McIntosh apples.
  2. Add the apples to a large stockpot with enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches. 
  3. Stir in ¼ cup maple syrup (Canadian maple syrup is the best), ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground allspice, and 1 teaspoon ground cloves.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil, uncovered for one hour.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer (covered) for two more hours.
  6. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the solids. Strain again through a sieve lined with a cheesecloth. We don’t want any little pieces in our drink.
  7. Serve warm or cool. Feel free to add additional sugar or maple syrup to get the cider to the sweetness you desire. 
20251019_CiderMill_LAHauntedHayride_195408_Website

Apple Cider

Have a taste of autumn with this homemade apple cider recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 16
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 10 Large Apples Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or other sweet variety work best
  • Water
  • ¼ cup Maple Syrup
  • ¼ cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon Ground
  • 1 tbsp Allspice Ground
  • 1 tsp Cloves Ground

Equipment

  • 1 Stockpot
  • 1 Sieve
  • 1 Cheesecloth

Method
 

  1. Cut apples into quarters (removing the core & seeds).
  2. Add the apples to a large stockpot with enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches. 
  3. Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and ground cloves.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil, uncovered, for 1 hour.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer (covered) for 2 hours.
  6. Stain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the solids. Strain again through a sieve lined with a cheesecloth.
  7. Add extra sugar if needed to sweeten to taste. Serve warm or cool.

More Halloween Treats

Apple Cider is a wonderful drink to pair with some Halloween treats. Check out some of my other recipes for inspiration:

Apple Pie

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Chocolate Coffee Halloween Cupcakes

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

October 19, 2026 No Comments

Halloween night is fast-approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your pumpkin already, it is time to think about going out to get one. Big or small, orange or white, and

Read More »

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

October 18, 2026 No Comments

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13 Halloween Movies

October 17, 2026 No Comments

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Read More »
Categories
Food Lifestyle

Harvest Apple & Pork Stew

Harvest Apple & Pork Stew

Nothing beats a Harvest Apple & Pork Stew when I am in the mood for fall food. This meal always gets me in an autumn state of mind. 

Whether I am cooking a big meal for friends and family, or just meal prepping for the week ahead, this is my go-to for large portions. It also tastes just as good – if not better – reheated, so enjoy those leftovers.

The Ingedients

  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless country-style pork ribs, cubed
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp white wine
  • 1½ tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 4½ cups water, divided
  • 4 small red potatoes, cubed
  • 1 medium tart apple, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tbsps cornstarch
  • 6 cups cooked black or wild rice
  • chopped fresh parsley

The Steps

1. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown pork.
 
2. Add carrots, celery, and onion. Cook and stir 2-4 minutes or until crisp-tender.
 
3. Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.
 
4. Sir in bay leaves, wine, seasonings, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until meat is tender, 1½ hours.
 
5. Add potatoes & apple. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
 
6. Mix cornstarch and remaining water until smooth. Stir into stew. Bring mixture to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
 
7. Discard bay leaves. Serve over wild rice and, if desired, top with parsley
 

Harvest Apple & Pork Stew Recipe

Harvest Apple & Pork Stew

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: 485
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lbs boneless country-style pork ribs cubed
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 2 celery ribs chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp white wine
  • 1½ tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 4½ cups water divided
  • 4 small red potatoes cubed
  • 1 medium tar apple peeled & sliced
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 6 cups black or wild rice cooked
  • chopped fresh parsley to garnish

Method
 

  1. In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown pork.
  2. Add carrots, celery, and onion. Cook and stir 2-4 minutes or until crisp-tender.
  3. Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.
  4. Sir in bay leaves, wine, seasonings, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until meat is tender, 1½ hours.
  5. Add potatoes & apple. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  6. Mix cornstarch and remaining water until smooth. Stir into stew. Bring mixture to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
  7. Discard bay leaves. Serve over wild rice and, if desired, top with parsley

Want to try some more of my favorite recipes? Check out:

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

October 19, 2026 No Comments

Halloween night is fast-approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your pumpkin already, it is time to think about going out to get one. Big or small, orange or white, and

Read More »

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

October 18, 2026 No Comments

I spy with my little eye: a spooky Halloween scavenger hunt! Games and activities liven up parties by sparking conversations and creating fun challenges for friends. A scavenger hunt is

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13 Halloween Movies

October 17, 2026 No Comments

While horror movies abound each spooky season, nothing gets me truly in the mood for frightening fun like movies set directly on the holiday.  Here are my top 13 Halloween

Read More »
Categories
Food Lifestyle

Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Pie Recipe

Apple pies are my favorite autumn-inspired desserts. They bring memories of harvests and autumn farm visits, and are a very easy pie to make for beginner bakers.

Below is my personal recipe that I have been perfecting since I was thirteen years old. My great-grandmother used to make all sorts of pies and I grew up hearing how much everyone missed the desserts at family gatherings. So, I decided to experiment with making my own signature sweet crust pies, starting as a 4th of July tradition and then expanding out to Thanksgivings and other friend and family gatherings. Of course, I also learned how to add my own fun Halloween season twists to keep everything in line with my spooky interests.  

Grab a pie pan, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and ingredients – let’s start baking!

Step-By-Step Apple Pie Recipe

  1. Add two cups flour to a medium bowl. Cut in 1 ⅓ cups butter and ¼ cup brown sugar with a pastry cutter or fork until particles are the size of small peas. Salted butter works best here, but if you use unsalted, be sure to add a pinch of salt to the flour). 
  2. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork (or mixing with a dough hook – if using a stand mixer) until all the flour is moistened and the pastry leaves the sides of the bowl. You may use up to ⅔ cup water here.
  3. Cut the dough in half and gather into two balls. Shape each into a flattened round on a lightly floured surface. Wrap the pastry round in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes or until the dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. If you refrigerate too long and the dough becomes rock hard, let it soften before rolling.
  4. Roll one pastry round on a lightly floured surface, using a floured rolling pin. I sometimes use floured wax paper to keep the dough from sticking to my rolling pin. The dough circle should be 2-3 inches longer than your pie plate. Fold the dough in half and slide it over your plate. Unfold and ease it into the plate, pressing firmly against the bottom and side.
  5. Roll the second pastry round on a lightly floured surface and roll out again to about a ¼ inch thickness. Take a cookie cutter and cut out a variety of dough shapes. Set them aside. Combine any scraps, re-shape into a ball, and repeat the roll & cut process until you have used up all the dough.
  6. Heat your oven to 425°F. 
  7. Peel 8-9 Granny Smith apples and slice them thinly.
  8. In a large bowl, mix ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons nutmeg, 3 tablespoons cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons flour. Stir in the apples until they are fully coated with the sugar & spice mixture. Spoon the apples into a pastry-lined pie plate. 
  9. Cover the top of the pie with the cut-out dough pieces to form a pattern as desired. Be sure that there are some holes or slits for the pie to vent while cooking.
  10. Crack and lightly beat one egg (or mix 1 tablespoon maple syrup with 1 tablespoon water for a vegan version). Brush the mixture onto the top of the crust. This will help the crust to brown while backing. 
  11. Cover the pie crust edges with foil to prevent burning. 
  12. Bake 40-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust. 
  13. Cool on a wire rack at for least 2 hours. 

Recipe

Emily Louise Rua

Emily's Apple Pie

Sweet Crust Apple Pie
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 570
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 1 ⅓ cups Butter (or Vegan Butter) Softened
  • ⅔ cup Water
  • ¼ cup Brown Sugar
Filling
  • 8-9 Granny Smith Apples Peeled & Thinly Sliced
  • ¾ cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsps Nutmeg
  • 3 tbsps Cinnamon
  • 2 tbsps Flour
Egg Wash
  • 1 Egg Lightly Beaten (Optional)
Vegan Alternative Wash
  • 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 1 tbsp Water

Equipment

  • Pie Plate
  • Stand Mixer with Dough Hook (optional)
  • Pastry Cutter (optional) A fork can work too
  • Pastry Brush
  • Rolling Pin
  • Cookie Cutter (optional)

Method
 

  1. Add flour to a medium bowl. Cut in butter and brown sugar with a pastry cutter or fork until particles are the size of small peas.
  2. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tbsp at a time and toss until all the flour is moistened and the pastry leaves the sides of the bowl. (You may not use the entire ⅔ cup water).
  3. Cut the dough in half and gather into two balls. Shape each into a flattened round on a lightly floured surface. Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes or until the dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften before rolling.
  4. Roll one pastry round on a lightly floured surface, using a floured rolling pin. The dough circle should be 2-3 inches longer than your pie plate. Fold the dough in half and slid it over your plate. Unfold and ease it into the plate, pressing firmly against the bottom and side.
  5. Roll the second pastry round on a lightly floured surface and roll out again to about a ¼ inch thickness. Take a cookie cutter and cut out a variety of dough shapes. Set them aside. Combine any scraps, re-shape into a ball, and repeat the roll & cut process until you have used up all the dough.
  6. Heat oven to 425°F. 
  7. Peel 8-9 Granny Smith apples and slice them thinly.
  8. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and flour. Stir in the apples until they are fully coated with the sugar & spice mixture. Spoon the apples into a pastry-lined pie plate. 
  9. Cover the top of the pie with the cut-out dough pieces to form a pattern as desired. Be sure that there are some holes or slits for the pie to vent while cooking.
  10. Crack and lightly beat one egg (or mix maple syrup with water for a vegan version). Brush the mixture onto the top of the crust.
  11. Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent burning.
  12. Bake 40-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust. 
  13. Cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.

More Treats (and Possibly Tricks) from Emily

I hope you enjoy my apple pie recipe! Use it as a starting point and add your own spooky tricks to make it your own. If you enjoy this recipe, take a look at some of my other treats:

Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Chocolate Coffee Halloween Cupcakes

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Have fun!

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin

October 19, 2026 No Comments

Halloween night is fast-approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your pumpkin already, it is time to think about going out to get one. Big or small, orange or white, and

Read More »

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

October 18, 2026 No Comments

I spy with my little eye: a spooky Halloween scavenger hunt! Games and activities liven up parties by sparking conversations and creating fun challenges for friends. A scavenger hunt is

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13 Halloween Movies

October 17, 2026 No Comments

While horror movies abound each spooky season, nothing gets me truly in the mood for frightening fun like movies set directly on the holiday.  Here are my top 13 Halloween

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Categories
Food

Chocolate Coffee Halloween Cupcakes

Chocolate Coffee Halloween Cupcakes

Chocolate Coffee Halloween Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Frosting and White Chocolate Tombstones

Are you looking for a way to add a fresh new twist to your standard Halloween cupcakes? Try these chocolate coffee Halloween cupcakes with cookie dough buttercream and white chocolate tombstones for a dreadfully delicious treat.

No tricks, just treats with this fun baked good!

The Cupcake Batter

The base of this recipe is a chocolate coffee batter. I highly recommend using Deadly Grounds Coffee with this recipe. Their house blend works very well with the chocolate flavor, or you can try some of their flavored blends to add additional complexities to the taste. Coffee flavors that may be fun to try are:

  • Death by Chocolate
  • Devil’s Night Roast (Chocolate & Pumpkin Spice)
  • Maple Bourbon
  • Pumpkin Spice

Now that you have selected your coffee, it is time to wrangle all the ingredients for the cupcakes:

  • 1½ cups flour
  • ¼ cup coco powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup coffee
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ½ tablespoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 2 – In a bowl, combine flour, coco powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3 – Add the coffee to the mixture, stirring thoroughly. Add white vinegar, vanilla, and olive oil.

Step 4 – Pour into 12 cupcake liners. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

The Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream frostings are usually a bit boring for me (I prefer to use ganaches when possible), but this cookie dough flavor buttercream is surprisingly tasty.

The ingredients are simple:

  • ½ cup butter (softened)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • ½ tablespoon vanilla
  • (optional) chocolate chips
  • (optional) food coloring

Step 1 – Combine butter, salt, and brown sugar.

Step 2 – Add powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly.

Step 3 – Add flour. Stir thoroughly.

Step 4 – Add milk and vanilla. Stir thoroughly.

Step 5 – If desired, chocolate chips and/or food coloring can be added to the mixture. The frosting is now ready to pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

The Tombstones

Get out your favorite candy mold and make some tombstone toppers. For these, I just brought some water to a boil, placed a glass bowl over the pot with the boiling water, and melted white chocolate chips with about 1 tablespoon of butter.

Once thoroughly melted, pour the chocolate into the candy mold. Pop that mold in the refrigerator for at least half an hour, and then use them to top your cupcakes once they are frosted.

The mold I used was a Place & Time Orange Silicone Candy Mold Graveyard from Joann Fabrics.

 

The recipe makes about 12 cupcakes.
The Horror of Being Emily

Chocolate Coffee Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting

Try these for a fun Halloween treat!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 12 Cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Coffee Cupcake Batter
  • 1 ½ Cups Flour
  • ¼ Cup Coco Powder
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Baking Soda
  • ½ Tsp Salt
  • 1 Cup Coffee
  • 1 Tbsp White Vinegar
  • ½ Tbsp Vanilla
  • ⅓ Cup Olive Oil
Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting
  • ½ Cup Butter softened
  • ¼ Tsp Salt
  • ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 ¼ Cup Powdered Sugar
  • ⅓ Cup Flour
  • 1 Tbsp Milk
  • ½ Tbsp Vanilla
  • Chocolate Chips Optional
  • Food Coloring Optional

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Cupcake Liners

Method
 

The Cupcakes
  1. Preheatoven to 350°F.
  2. In a bowl, combine flour, coco powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add the coffee to the mixture, stirringthoroughly. Add white vinegar, vanilla, and olive oil.
  4. Pour into 12 cupcake liners. Bake for 25 minutesor until a toothpick poked in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
The Frosting
  1. Combine butter, salt, and brown sugar.
  2. Add powdered sugar. Stir thoroughly.
  3. Add flour. Stir thoroughly.
  4. Add milk and vanilla. Stir thoroughly.
  5. If desired, chocolate chips and/or food coloring can be added to the mixture. The frosting is now ready to pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

Need something savory before this decadent dessert? Try my Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi.

Enjoy!

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Categories
Food

Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Shrimp Scampi

Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Today’s post will focus on the recipe for Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi. This garlic-rich recipe is simple, yet delicious. I love to make this recipe on a Friday night before watching a horror film or two. Last time I made it, the kitchen smelled like garlic for an entire day afterwards, ensuring that we were safe from creatures of the night (and any visitor, really).

As with most scampi pasta dishes, this recipe can be highly customized and you can change it up depending on the ingredients you have on-hand. For a pop of color – add sun-dried tomatoes. Mushrooms can be added for extra Vitamin D. The possibilities are limitless!

Basic Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi Recipe(Makes about 2 Servings):

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2/3 cup onion, diced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 16 large shrimp, peeled & de-veined
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • 2 servings spaghetti
  • Optional – ½ cup mushrooms, chopped
  • Optional – ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes

Step One: Prep Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook until tender.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Uncooked
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Uncooked

I chose to use orange and green vegetable pasta for a more Halloween-feel, but once cooked they did not have as bright colors as I had hoped. If you have a higher budget, specialty squid ink pasta has a delightful black color to make this meal very spooky.

Step Two: Brown Onion & Garlic

Heat the olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the onion. Let brown. Add garlic.

Brown the onion and garlic in your large pan.

It typically takes about five to eight minutes for the onion to brown, depending on your pan. You can stir occasionally and/or rotate the pan to make sure all the onion is browning mostly evenly.

Step Three: Cook Shrimp

Add the shrimp (and optional mushrooms) to the pan. Season with the basil, crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, and parsley. Flip the shrimp once the underside is a bright pink. Cook through.

Step Four: Add Scampi Sauce Ingredients

Add butter, lemon juice, white wine, and parmesan cheese. The optional sun-dried tomatoes can be added as well. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes.

The shrimp should be a nice pink color once cooked through.

The scampi sauce will reduce during this time. You should be able to smell the garlic throughout your kitchen by this time. Vampires beware!

Step Five: Combine

We have not forgotten about the pasta! Remove the cooked spaghetti from the pot using tongs and place into the pan with the shrimp scampi mixture. Use tongs instead of draining the pasta – bringing over some pasta water with the spaghetti helps the scampi sauce to stick to the noodles more.

Using tongs allows some of the pasta water to be brought over with the spaghetti.

Thoroughly coat the spaghetti with the scampi sauce.

Mix it well.

Now, you just have to plate it. Add your favorite garlic bread for a complimentary side and you are all set! For those more vampire-friendly individuals, you can reduce or cut down on the garlic, but I love the strong garlic taste.

Shrimp Scampi Recipe
Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Enjoy!

Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi Recipe
The Horror of Being Emily

Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Learn to make this garlic-heavy shrimp scampi, the perfect recipe to repell vampires and other creatures of the night. Easy to cook and made to impress!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 Vampire Hunters
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2/3 cup onion diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • 16 large shrimp peeled, de-veined
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • 2 servings spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)

Equipment

  • Large Pan
  • Large Pot
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook until tender.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the onion. Let brown. Add garlic.
  3. Add the shrimp (and optional mushrooms) to the pan. Season with the basil, crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, and parsley. Flip the shrimp once the underside is a bright pink. Cook through.
  4. Add butter, lemon juice, white wine, and Parmesan cheese. The optional sun-dried tomatoes can be added as well. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the cooked spaghetti from the pot using tongs and place into the pan with the shrimp scampi mixture. Thoroughly coat the spaghetti with the scampi sauce.

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