Halloween

Halloween is coming!

19 more days... What are you giving out to the trick-or-treaters this year? Here are some homemade ideas, which may not be good for the kids at the door (we were always warned not to eat candy that wasn't wrapped), but if you're having a party, they will make great food to munch on.

Before I get to the good recipes I had to post this "genius" idea..R Ray hits another one out of the park!
YUM-O

Candy Cornucopia Bowl
Glass bowl and clear water glass or tumbler
1 pound black or red licorice twists
2 pounds candy corn
1 pound gummy worms 4 gummy candy rats
Set water glass in center of glass bowl. Fill glass with licorice twists. Fill bowl with candy corn to settle the glass in place. Top candy corn with lots of candy worms. Place the rats around your serving area for your buffet. Add any other favorite candies to this big bowl of fun!






I don't care what the haters say..that kind of natural feel for food creativity CANNOT be taught at culinary school!





Candy Corn
When you're at the grocery store, pick up some plastic gloves. They'll make it easy to knead the dough without ending up with food-coloring-stained hands.

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup non fat milk powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Red and yellow food coloring

Bring first 4 ingredients to boil over high heat in heavy large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-high and boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sift powdered sugar, milk powder, and salt into medium bowl. Add powdered sugar mixture to pan; stir to combine. Let mixture stand until slightly warm to touch, about 20 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal pieces; place each piece in small bowl. Add several drops of yellow food coloring to one piece of dough. Using plastic gloves to protect hands, knead food coloring into dough until smooth and color is even, about 15 minutes. Repeat using red and yellow food coloring (to make orange) with second piece. Leave last piece white; knead dough until smooth. Roll each piece into a thin rope (don't roll too thin or dough will break). Push three ropes together to form long rectangle. Using sharp knife, cut ropes into triangles. Using fingers, shape candy corn as desired. Store at room temperature in airtight container, separating layers with pieces of waxed paper to prevent sticking.