HALLOWEEN CAKE DECORATING IDEAS

— Stuff cupcakes with gaudy marshmallow filling, a personalized version of Twinkies. Fit a pastry bag with a tip to push into the bottom of the cupcake. Fill the bag with a jar of marshmallow creme— transform it into spooky goo with food coloring — hazelnut spread, icing or jelly. Squirt about 2 teaspoons into each cupcake.

— To transform ready-spread frosting into bright orange, use 3 drops red food coloring and 4 to 5 drops of yellow food coloring for each container.

— Spider and web: Squeeze circles of black decorating gel on a cake or cupcake. Pull knife through gel from center outward at intervals to make web. For a scary spider, use 2 large black gumdrops. Roll one out and cut out 8 strips for legs. Or use 8 pieces of shoestring licorice. Place another on top. Add red hot eyes. Put spider on web.

— Ladybugs aren’t scary, but they are colorful. To create, blend a few drops of red food coloring into white icing. Frost cupcakes then decorate with chocolate chips.

— Monster Coffin Cake. Start with a pound cake. Cut the cake in half horizontally. Frost with icing and decorate top of coffin with crumbled chocolate cookies. Place green monster in the coffin. Add some gummy worms. One cake serves 12.

— Play Dr. Frankenstein. Make slimy monsters by dipping marshmallows in water. Shake gently to remove excess water. Roll in green colored sugar, coating evenly. Use decorating gel for eyes, mouth and other features. Let stand until set. Use to decorate cupcakes or in Monster Coffin Cake.

Source: Jane P. Marshall, NYT Regional Newspapers