HALLOWEEN

All Hallows Eve... one of my favorite times of the year because for just a little while, 

you get to step out of the comfort zone, that is reality,

 into a fantasy world where anything is possible ...

So let's look at some of our favorite gluten free party foods ! 

COCOA MOLASSES  CATS 

1/2 cup shortening ( organic if possible ) 

1/4 cup oil 

3/4 cup sugar ( or low carb substitute( 

2 TBSP cocoa powder

2 TBSP molasses

2 lg eggs

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 1/2 cups flour blend such as Bob's Redmill Biscuit & baking mix or Pamela's Products baking mix 

IF ( and only IF) your flour blend doesn't contain xanthan gum and baking powder  1/2 tsp  ( or 2 cups almond flour & 1/3 cup coconut flour for lower carbs) 

Cream shortening, oil  and sugar. Beat in eggs, add remaining ingredients and  mix well. Refrigerate for 1/2 hour or until firm enough to roll out. Roll into shapes ( I dust the surface with cornstarch ) 

Bake @ 350 on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, for 8-10 minutes depending on the size of your cut outs. Decorate as desired. ( for cats I made icing from icing sugar & a bit of water, then used wilton black food coloring ) 

MUMMY CUPCAKES

I totally cheated on these and used a Betty Crocker Gluten Free cake mix out of curiosity, 

and they turned out great ! A little icing and presto, fast and easy mummy cupcakes. 

PANNA COTTA BRAIN

This was the piece de resistance at one of our Halloween parties ! 

( and I can't wait to do it again this year ! ) 

It totally grossed out most of the teens ( which is what I was going for ! ) 

The brain mold was purchased at our local dollar store for under $2. and for realism I spooned some pureed plums over top once I unmolded it. Thinned plum jam ( or any jam without seeds) would probably work too. 

To make the panna cotta :

3 pkgs knox ( or other ) unflavored gelatin 

1/2 cup cold water

3 cups whipping cream

2 1/2 cups light cream  ( use ALL whipping cream for lower carbs ) 

1 tsp maple extract

1/4 cup REAL maple syrup or low sugar syrup

1 pkg. vanilla sugar or stevia 

sprinkle gelatin over the cold water in a bowl.

set aside .

combine remaining ingredients in a heavy saucepan and simmer on medium low - stirring constantly,

until vanilla sugar is dissolved.

Remove from heat and add the softened gelatin. stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

When slightly cooled, pour the  mixture into your lightly oiled brain mold and chill overnight. 

 Carefully unmold it and spoon the stewed plums ( or thinned jam, or fruit syrup ) over it.