Celebrate Halloween with no tricks and all treats! Chef Megan shares two spook-tacular recipes, her Halloween Decorated Brownies and Green Apple Punch. These recipes are customizable fun for friends and family, and are a great activity for the weekend.

Halloween Decorated Brownies

Brownie Ingredients

2 Cups AP Flour 

1 tsp. Baking Powder 

1 tsp. Salt 

1 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder 

4 tsp. Espresso Powder (optional to enhance chocolate flavor) 

3 sticks Unsalted Butter, room temp. 

6 TBSP. Cooking Oil  

3 Cups Granulated Sugar 

4 large eggs plus 2 egg yolks 

1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips 

 

Ermine Buttercream Ingredients

2/3 Cup AP Flour 

2 Cups Granulated Sugar 

2 Cups Whole Milk 

2 Cups Unsalted Butter, room temp. 

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract 

1 Pinch Salt 

Brownie Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line a half sheet tray with parchment paper and spray lightly with non-stick spray. 
  2. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and espresso powder in a large bowl. Set aside. 
  3. Cream butter, oil, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed. 
  4. Add in the flour mixture in three additions with a rubber spatula. Stir in chocolate chips. 
  5. Pour into prepared baking sheet and tap on counter to remove air bubbles. 
  6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, for this I am cooking slightly more to hold shape for the cute creatures! 
  7. Cool on wire rack completely before cutting and decorating. 

Ermine Buttercream Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together flour, sugar, and milk. Place over medium-low heat, whisking constantly. Cook for about 10 minutes, until mixture thickens. 
  2. Remove from heat. Pour into a heat proof bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Ensure the plastic touches the custard so that skin doesn’t form on top. Let sit on counter until room temperature, then place in refrigerator for an hour. 
  3. Using a stand mixer whip the butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Slowly add cooled custard to butter, mixing on medium speed. 
  4. Add vanilla and salt. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Whip until light and fluffy, up to 15 minutes. Buttercream will be perfectly smooth when ready. 
  5. Switch to a paddle attachment and mix on low for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. 
  6. Sometimes the buttercream will appear to be separated during the initial whip, just keep going as it’s not done yet! 

Green Apple Punch

Ingredients

1 Liter Sparkling Apple Cider 

2 Liters Ginger Ale 

27 oz. Ginger Beer (4 pack) 

32 oz. Water 

3 Lemons Sliced 

4 Limes Sliced 

1 Package Green Apple Punch Mix (optional for the fun green color!) 

1 Bottle Vodka (if desired) 

Instructions

  1. Gently mix together in large punch bowl and add ice.