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Ghoulishly Good Halloween-Themed Desserts

September 23, 2016 by

Whether you’re planning a costume party or simply looking for tasty treats to give out throughout the Halloween season, there are a number of spooky recipes that people of all ages will love. Here are just three fun, creative Halloween-themed desserts that are just as scary as they are delicious.

Chocolate Orange Spider Cupcakes [parenting.com]
This is a slightly advanced recipe that any avid baker will have fun experimenting with right before Halloween. It involves making your own chocolate cupcakes from scratch and jazzing them up with an orange zest, but the real finishing touches are the cookie sticks and round candies that you’ll use to transform each cupcake into a cute and crawly spider.

Giant Candy Corn Cookies [food.com]
While not everyone is a fan of candy corn, you can guarantee that almost anyone will love this candy corn-inspired cookie. By dying boxed sugar cookie mix with three different colors of food coloring, you can create pretty simple cookies that look just like the popular Halloween candy.

Spooky Witches' Fingers [allrecipes.com/]
For a treat that’s much scarier than most, this recipe is a great pick. While the actual recipe is fairly traditional, molding these cookies into the shape of severed fingers certainly isn’t. Top them off with half an almond to create the “fingernail.”

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Bring Fall Indoors With These Festive Wreath Tutorials

October 23, 2015 by

Who says that a wreath has to hang outside? There are a number of fun and creative ways to make DIY wreaths that bring the beauty of fall indoors, and many of them don’t cost a dime to make. Here are three great wreath tutorials for you to try this weekend at BLVD l Loudoun Station.

DIY Apple Wreath [thewoodgraincottage.com]
While an actual apple wreath would likely be too heavy to hang, this one uses faux apples from the craft store to achieve the same effect. All it takes is some hot glue, a Styrofoam wreath mold and some burlap to hang it.

Glitter Wreath [homemadebyjill.blogspot.com]
If you’re looking for a fun wreath project that the kids can do, too, this one is a great choice. They’ll enjoy cutting out the small leaves from heavy cardstock, and they’ll enjoy it even more once it’s time to sprinkle glitter all over.

Fall Wheat Sheave Wreath [bhg.com]
If you prefer something with a more natural look (and a quicker preparation), this tutorial is one of the simplest you’ll find. Simply gather some dried wheat and tie it together with a piece of oversized ribbon in a fall color, then attach the whole thing to your door (or anywhere else that can use a bit of decoration).

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Easy Pumpkin Carving Projects for Kids

September 18, 2015 by

Carving pumpkins is a fun fall activity that the whole family can do together, but young children require carving projects that are a bit simpler (and safer) than others. Check out these adorable ideas for kid-friendly pumpkin carvings that your little ones will love.

Candy-Cursed Jack-o’-Lantern [Martha Stewart]
This pumpkin pattern may be simple, but that doesn’t mean that it’s boring. Instead of placing a candle inside, it’s made to accommodate a bowl of Halloween candy. The oversized mouth acts as a serving bowl for the sweets inside, and the kids will love to sneak a few pieces from their pumpkin once it’s complete.

Mini White Pumpkins [Apartment Therapy]
Mini pumpkins are much easier for kids’ tiny hands to navigate, and this project will transform them into something truly unique. By adding beady red eyes and costume vampire teeth, the kids can create an army of cute pumpkin vampires to put on display.

Cat Face [SheKnows]
This cat face pumpkin carving pattern is a bit more modern than most. It features a splashy silhouette of a scary cat face, and animal-loving children will get a kick out of carving it after a visit to the pumpkin patch. Although some of the smaller details may require some assistance, it can be a fun collaborative craft for parents and children.

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Squash 101: How to Prep and Bake Acorn Squash

November 21, 2014 by

Acorn squash is a fairly unusual ingredient, but it is certainly worth checking out. If you know the right techniques, you’ll likely find that preparing this sweet, nutritious squash is much easier than you would think. Here are the basic steps for prepping and baking acorn squash.

  1. Slice the squash in half using a very sharp knife. It shouldn’t require too much pressure from you, as forcing a dull knife through the squash could result in injury.
  2. All squash contain seeds and stringy particles inside, so be sure to scoop those out using a metal spoon. It doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, just enough so that you don’t end up with a mouth full of seeds.
  3. Place the squash halves face down on a foil-lined baking sheet, then add enough water so that it slightly covers the bottom of the squash. This will ensure that the squash gets moist and soft.
  4. Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes, checking the acorn squash periodically to gauge its softness.
  5. Remove from the oven and add a bit of butter to the center of each half. Place the squash under the broiler for 5 minutes, until the butter melts and the squash turns a lovely brown color. You can also add a teaspoon of brown sugar or a sprinkle of salt for added flavor.

How to Prepare/Bake Acorn Squash [Chef In You]
How To: Cook Acorn Squash [The Kitchen Magpie]
Acorn Squash Basics [Martha Stewart]

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These Pumpkin Pie Recipes Will Have You Reaching for Seconds

November 20, 2014 by

Warm soups are great and Thanksgiving turkey is tasty, but when it comes to favorite fall foods, pumpkin pie is typically at the top of the list. There’s just nothing better than this rich, flavorful pie come autumn, whether you prefer to top it with whipped cream or to eat it warm out of the oven. Here are three of our favorite recipes for pumpkin pie.

Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie [verybestbaking.com]
Since it requires only 15 minutes of prep time, this pie will be emitting a delicious scent from the oven with plenty of time to spare before the arrival of your last-minute guests. Canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, and a pre-made pie crust make this one of the easiest pumpkin pie recipes you’ll find.

The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie [epicurious.com]
This elaborate recipe from Epicurious is ideal for the experienced baker who wants to add a bit more spice to the usual pumpkin pie. Whipping cream and sour cream make it extra thick and creamy, while the generous helpings of spices add major flavor in every bite.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie [pickyourown.org]
Pick Your Own’s homemade pumpkin pie uses real pumpkin instead of canned to offer the freshest taste possible in your seasonal dessert. Although it may seem intimidating, the results are more than worth it.

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Score Big With These Fantasy Football Tips

November 7, 2014 by

While watching football is top on the list of favorite fall activities, participating in fantasy football leagues is quickly catching up. If you spend hours re-working your fantasy football draft and managing your team, these tips will help you to maximize your chance of success—and maybe even win a bit of money along the way.

  1. Take advantage of online resources. Although some people may get a bit picky about using online cheat sheets, there’s no set rule against doing your research before the draft. Sites like ESPN.com are filled with incredibly beneficial resources to help stack the deck in your favor.
  2. Become familiar with your league’s rules. This tip is especially important for first-time participants, since making a blunder like drafting someone who has already been picked will hold up the rest of the league (and certainly annoy your opponents).
  3. Research injury reports. You make sure to pay attention to which players are doing best this season, but it’s just as important to know who’s limping a bit in practice.
  4. Get risky. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on a so-called “sleeper” player or two as the draft progresses. You’ll likely already have your first choice players by this point, and choosing a risky player could lead to a big payoff in the long run.

11 Tips and Tricks to Win Your Fantasy Football League [ESPN W]
Fantasy Football Dos and Don'ts [About Sports]
10 Tips for New Fantasy Football Owners [Fantasy]

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Check Out These Surprising Health Benefits of Autumn’s Favorite Crop, Apples!

October 24, 2014 by

Apples are some of the most delicious types of fall produce, but they’re also packed with vitamins and nutrients that do your body some good. If you needed another reason to justify that second (or third) piece of apple pie, you’ll love this list of the many health benefits of apples.

  1. Cardiovascular health. The beneficial phytonutrients found in apples function as antioxidants and decrease the oxidation of cell membranes in the cardiovascular system. Quercetin, which is found mainly in the apple’s skin, is its main phytonutrient, but apples also contain chlorogenic acid, kaempferol and myricetin.
  2. Blood sugar regulation. The polyphenols in apples are also thought to help regulate blood sugar because they influence digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, reduce glucose absorption and stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
  3. Cancer prevention. Amazingly, apples have also been shown to prevent several types of cancers. They are even the only fruit or vegetable that’s been shown to prevent lung cancer.
  4. Asthma treatment. If you suffer from asthma, you may want to reach for an apple before your inhaler from now on. Apples contain a number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that work wonders on human lungs and have even been shown to decrease asthma symptoms.

What's New and Beneficial About Apples [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
5 Health Benefits of an Apple [Eating Well]
10 Reasons to Eat an Apple a Day [Care2]

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Fete the Fall Season With These Cranberry Bread Recipes

October 3, 2014 by

It’s never too early to start incorporating cranberries into your baking, and these tart fruits taste just as delicious in the fall as they do during the cold winter months. Here are three recipes to motivate you to give your usual pumpkin a rest and mix things up with a sweet cranberry bread this autumn season.

Cranberry Orange Loaf [allrecipes.com]
Cranberry and orange flavors go together like a bit more sophisticated version of peanut butter and jelly. This zesty loaf is filled with holiday charm, and it even makes a deliciously sweet breakfast when paired with your morning coffee.

Classic Cranberry Nut Bread [oceanspray.com]
For a heartier take on cranberry bread, this recipe uses your choice of chopped nuts to add a delicious crunch to the flavorful cranberries. The taste is rustic and classic, and it’s sure to be a hit at your next family gathering.

Orange Glazed Cranberry Bread [sallysbakingaddiction.com]
Adding a sweet glaze to cranberry bread gives it a boost of flavor that feels a bit more like a dessert. This recipe involves making a simple, homemade orange glaze that has the added advantage of giving your bread a truly gourmet look. But that’s not all: It also includes a cinnamon streusel topping that makes it even more decadent and delicious.

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