Happy Halloween!

In the spirit of the season - and temporary moment of insanity - I decided to make Halloween brownie lollipops. I saw similar (mucho expensive) ones in a Williams-Sonoma catalog and thought I could just make them myself. Turns out that I'm missing the gene responsible for the ability to melt chocolate.... So a few hours, some google research, and another trip to the grocery store later... The brownies turned into pumpkins and ghosts. That said - if you're good at melting chocolate - this project would be a breeze. :)




Here's the recipe... if you dare.

Brownie Lollipops

Ingredients
1 pkg Fudge brownie mix (and ingredients to make brownies!)
24 Lollipop sticks
1 pkg white chocolate morsels
Food coloring
Additional decorations such as sprinkles (optional)

Directions
1. Line 9-in. by 9-in. pan with a piece of parchment paper; lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions; pour batter into pan. Bake 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Remove from oven to cooling rack; cool 10 minutes or until still slightly warm.

2. Using a small scoop or spoon, scoop brownie into 24 rounded scoops, packing brownie into scoop using hands. (Entire brownie will be used.) Roll brownie scoops into smooth balls. Insert candy sticks into centers of balls and pinch each brownie ball where candy stick and top of ball meet. Stand upright on parchment paper.

4. Place white chocolate in small glass bowl; microwave according to package directions until smooth. **or insert your own, better melting instructions here** Spoon melted chocolate evenly over each brownie ball, turning to coat completely. Be sure to coat where candy stick meets brownie ball. Allow excess chocolate to drip off. Allow to cool at room temperature - DO NOT put in the freezer to speed things up... ooops. When the chocolate coating is cool, use a toothpick or small brush to paint on ghost/pumpkin/insert-holiday-icon-here face. (I used extra white chocolate mixed with food coloring but you could also use decorating gel or icing.) Let stand until set. Place into miniature cupcake liners.

The $4 Halloween Wreath

Holiday decor can get gaudy fast, especially if it's DIY. I didn't want a Halloween wreath with cartoon pumpkin cutouts, friendly ghosts, or bright orange ribbon so I designed this easy (and cheap) alternative.


I bought a grapevine wreath from Michaels for $3.99 (with a 40% off coupon, of course) and a styrofoam crow from the dollar store. I clipped some of the existing vines and added some extra sticks for a more disheveled look, then spray painted the whole wreath black. After it was dry, I attached the crow with a few pieces of florists wire. Done! It was easy enough that the finished product was hung by October 1st.

{Basic grapevine wreath - usually found in the "cheap bins" outside the entrance to Michael's}

I added a crow, but you could use almost anything! Let your imagination run wild!

Happy October!