1 cup butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt ¾ cup whole almonds ¾ ounce tube red decorating gel Beat together the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a mixing…

18 ¼ ounces chocolate cake mix 1 pound shoestring black licorice 16 ounces chocolate frosting 48 candy corn 48 cinnamon red hot candies ¼ cup orange decorator’s sugar Prepare cupcakes according to package directions.  Let cool completely.  Cut licorice into 3 inch pieces.  Working with one or two cupcakes at a time, so the frosting doesn’t…

5 cups popcorn, popped 1 cup candy corn 1 cup salted peanuts, chopped ½ cup butter 3 cups miniature marshmallows 4 drops red food coloring 4 licorice sticks, cut into thirds 3 drops yellow food coloring Grease a muffin pan with butter or cooking spray and set aside. Add popcorn, candy corn and peanuts into…

24 ounces pizza dough 1 cup pizza sauce 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded Topping: 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes 1 green bell pepper, julienned ¼ cup artichoke hearts, marinated and drained, julienned 4 black olives, seeded and sliced Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal portions.  Roll each pizza dough into a 6 – inch to 8 –…

18 ¼ ounces chocolate cake mix 32 ounces vanilla frosting ¾ cup chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs 24 chocolate graham cracker covered cookies Prepare and bake cupcakes according to package directions. Let them cool completely.  In a medium bowl, mix together 1 package of frosting with the cookie crumbs.  Frost cooled cupcakes.  Fill a pastry bag, fitted with a…

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 carrots, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 28 oz. canned tomatoes, diced 3 cups fat-free chicken stock 4 slices white bread 12 whole peppercorns ½ cup heavy whipping cream Salt and black pepper to taste 3 oz. gruyere cheese, cut into 4 slices Heat…

4 pounds boiling potatoes 1 ¼ cup whole milk 3 large egg yolks ¾ stick unsalted butter, cubed Black sesame seeds Peel and quarter potatoes, then cover with water in a 4-quart pot and season well with salt. Simmer, partially covered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. While potatoes are simmering, heat butter and milk…

3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 ½ pounds broccoli florets, chopped into ½ inch pieces 3 shallots, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth ½ pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated 6 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled 6 black olives, pitted 1 pinch…