If you're hosting a Halloween party this year then a cake is an ideal 'treat' that will look great among the decorations too. We asked Norwich cake maker Imogen Davison, of Sugar Buttons, some questions about spooky sponges.
Why do you think Halloween is a great time for cakes?
Halloween as an event is becoming more popular in the UK and the scope for awesome freaky cakes is massive, however, I'm not often asked to make big Halloween-themed cake, which is a shame as I love making them! I have seen an increase in people who have seen my cakes and want to learn my techniques and have a go themselves. Halloween has provided the theme for children's cupcake classes, and the results they have achieved were outstanding. Want to have a go yourself? Follow Imogen's step-by-step guide to making spooky Halloween cupcakes.
Where's the best place to start when coming up with ideas for a Halloween cake?
When I'm coming up with ideas for most of my cakes I generally head to Google images to see what has been done before so I can try to do something different and original. Most of the Halloween cupcake designs I've taught are not hugely original but they are popular and good for beginners to try out.
Made any memorable Halloween cakes?
I loved making the dramatic shards of glass, dripping blood and rose cake, which I made it for my niece, Becky, whose birthday is on Halloween. She wanted something a bit more grown up and not too gimmicky. I think it fits the bill.
What works best: one big cake or cupcakes?
I think that all sizes of cake work well, you can get some incredible detail into big cakes, but cupcakes can be equally powerful. I love painting onto cakes and the Once Upon a Time poison apple and evil eye cupcakes were great fun to make.
Are there any other options: cake pops, biscuits etc?
The first Halloween cake I made had lots of Nightmare Before Christmas themed cake pops on it. Cake pops are my nemesis! They are fantastic when done well but so hard to get right. These Halloween cake pops were my first attempt and it was before I discovered how to paint onto chocolate. Piping the tiny details in royal icing was so tricky. My skills have definitely improved since 2012!
What's the best way to make edible blood?
I use various ingredients to make edible blood. For these shards of glass cupcakes I heated up some seedless raspberry jam, which tasted delicious. On my zombie guts cupcakes I used a product called piping gel mixed with a small amount of red and navy food colour. The navy darkens the 'blood' to make it more realistic.
Any tips for scary surprises inside?
I love adding surprise fillings to cupcakes and the options are endless. A chocolate cupcake filled with zingy lime curd makes a tasty slime flavour combination. You could also add gummy worms or strawberry laces to smooth jam which gives the appearance and texture of spooky cauldron ingredients!
And what flavours are best?
Chocolate is always a winner, but you could go more autumnal by making spiced pumpkin cupcakes or cinnamon apple is a great combo too.
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