By Heidi Sutton
It’s time to get spooky sweet with some Halloween treats like this decadent and delicious Devil’s Food Cake, a Star Wars inspired hot cocoa and a Monster Smoothie.
Honey Devil’s Food Cake
Recipe courtesy of National Honey Board
YIELD: Makes 10 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups honey, divided
½ cup 2 percent low-fat milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 cup just-boiled water
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Milk chocolate shavings, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add 1½ cups honey, milk, oil, eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat 2 minutes. Gradually beat in hot water. Divide batter between pans. Bake 25–30 minutes, or until sides pull away slightly from pan and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Turn onto wire racks and cool completely.
To make the frosting, combine remaining cocoa powder, honey and vanilla, and cream in a medium bowl. Beat until thick and fluffy. Spread frosting evenly over sides and top of one cake layer. Place second cake layer on top. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top. Garnish with milk chocolate shavings.
Yoda Hot Cocoa
Recipe courtesy of Deb Thompson
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
Green sprinkles
4 cups milk, any type including lactose free
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces white chocolate chips
2 drops green food coloring
whipped cream
8 candy eyes, divided
DIRECTIONS:
Dip the rim of the glass in water. Pour green sprinkles onto a plate or into a bowl and dip the edge of the wet glass in sprinkles, coating it in green. In a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, mix together milk, vanilla, food coloring and white chocolate. Cook, stirring often, until the white chocolate comes to a simmer and is melted. Do not let boil. Remove from heat, pour hot chocolate into prepared mugs, top with whipped cream, sprinkles and two candy eyes
Monster Smoothies
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces milk, 2%
1 (5.3-ounce) container yogurt, low-fat pineapple Greek
1/2 cup 100% pasteurized apple cider
6 spinach leaves
1 medium frozen banana
1 pear, cored
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
DIRECTIONS:
In a blender, combine milk, Greek yogurt, apple cider, spinach, banana, pear, and avocado. Blend until smooth.