Halloween Cupcakes ~ Pumpkins and Spiders

I had a few kiddies coming for a playdate today as well as my annual Halloween party for the daycare so I used cake mix and Betty crocker frosting to whip up these cupcakes quickly for the kids. 

For these simple pumpkins I used white cake mix and fluffy white frosting.  Used my orange food colouring on both and swirled the icing on in a circular motion.  Added tiny M&M's for a leaf.  Easy peasy.

For the spider, chocolalte cake mix and icing.  I was supposed to use shoestring licorice for the legs but couldn't find it anywhere so I cut my own.  At least the legs look hairy, I guess.  Sprinkles for the spider hair and red M&M minis for the eyes. 

I had to use my cute pumpkin and Bat non pariels too so the last chocolate cupcakes got those.

MMMMMM, fun and tasty. 

Autumn Apple Pie ~ Betty Crocker Cookbook Recipe

I recently bought a big bag of Honey Crisp apples to appease my daughter who heard all about them from her school teacher.  Came home and realized they cost me $20!  Each of the kids ate one and then the rest of them sat in a bowl like a treasure chest filled with gold until I finally decided to make a pie.

Thinly sliced apple, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and little butter pieces atop the apple mixture. 
I used a Tenderflake crust because let's face it, I had five kids here!

I had hoped to use my Pampered Chef apple slicer/peeler/corer but my apples were on their last leg and too soft.  I ended up peeling with a knife.

Tossed the apples into the dry ingredient mixture

This is the exact moment that I knew I was going to love this pie.  Amazing aroma.

Added little butter pieces to the top and made my apple stack HUGE.  I know they cook down.

Had to stretch my crust to the max to fit over the apples.  Added tablespoon of water and sprinkled with sugar.

Closeup of my sugar coated crust.

Little ridge of foil helps to prevent burning around the edge of your crust.

Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes or less of cooking.

Crunchy sugar crust goodness!

Some cracking of my crust took place when I tried to lift the hot pie from the cookie sheet it was resting on in the oven (for spillage control).  Oops!