मंगलवार, 7 सितंबर 2021

Halloween Charcuterie Board

This Halloween charcuterie board is a ghoulish treat for any party! A spooky twist on your classic cheese board, it’s filled with fruit, crackers, and meat and sure to be everyone’s favorite!

The snack tray that just keeps on giving is definitely a charcuterie board! This has something for everyone and it’s a snack that is meant to please! If you want a few more Halloween food ideas, try out these Mummy Hot Dogs, Crazy Good Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, and Mummy Mini Pizzas! They are all so delicious, you will love them!

Halloween charcuterie board.

Charcuterie Boards

For those of you around here that are new to charcuterie boards, let me explain them to you! Charcuterie (pronounced shar-koo-tuh-ree) boards are also called cheese boards or snack boards! Made up of typically meats and cheeses, a charcuterie board is a fantastic way to serve an appetizer that has a variety of foods to keep everyone happy! They are always beautifully displayed and look so appetizing!

The best part about a charcuterie board is that you can make it whatever you want! If you love a specific type of food or meat or cheese and want them to be included, then you add those! There is no “right way” to make one. I love that about them because it makes them different every time! You just need a serving board to start with and you will be well on your way to serving a spooky and delicious board at your next Halloween party!

What Cheese Should I Use for my Charcuterie Board?

The first step to making your Halloween charcuterie board is going to be to add your cheeses. When you are doing this, make sure to pick out cheeses that have different textures as well as colors! I went to my local grocery store and they had a large selection of cheese to choose from. You want to have a good variety! For this recipe, I used the following cheeses:

  • Double Cream Brie
  • Green Goddess Gouda
  • Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre
  • Merlot Bellavitano
  • Smoked Gouda (I used this for the “Boo” pictured above)

If those cheeses aren’t available or you would like to add more, I would suggest a cheddar, a Gruyere, or another hard cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano! As I said, make this your own and you can’t go wrong! Cheese is delicious and something that everyone loves!

Adding cheese to a board.

Spreads for a Halloween Charcuterie Board

To add a little bit of variety in taste and texture, I like to add a few things that my guests can use to go with the foods on the board. Depending on your board you can change up the spread! Try using different flavors of jam, hummus, olive oil, ranch dip, or even salsa! They are simple and really take this up a notch. For this charcuterie board I used:

  • Pesto
  • Apricot jam
  • Honey
Spreads being added to a black board.

Meats to Use on a Charcuterie Board

The savory meats are my favorite part to add to a Halloween charcuterie board! They add in some extra color and dimension because you can shape them however you want! For this board, I used the following meats:

  • Prosciutto di parma
  • Italian Dry Salami

Again, these are just the meats that I grabbed! Feel free to try some other ones or use more in addition to these! A few other delicious types of meats that I would suggest are ham, pepperoni, calabrese salami, and genoa salami.

Meat on a charcuterie board.

What Fruit Should I Use?

Because this is a Halloween charcuterie board, I wanted to pick out fruit that was darker in color to add to the “spooky” vibe that I was going for and make it work for this season! So keep color in mind when you are picking this out. Depending on your holiday or occasion, the fruit is an especially easy part to switch up to make things look different! Here are the fruits that I used in this Halloween one!

  • Strawberries
  • Black Grapes
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Dried Apricots

A few other fruits that you could use are kiwi, raspberries, or purple grapes! Just consider your season and make sure that you have a variety in shape and color!

A charcuterie board with fruit being added.

Choosing Crackers and Nuts

For this part, you will want to pick out some tasty crackers that complement all of the other ingredients! I like to choose crackers and nuts of various shapes and sizes and you could even do some gluten-free options in case you have guests that have food restrictions! The crackers and nuts that I used for this board were:

  • Pistachios
  • Red Crackers

I also love to use walnuts and almonds and any type of crackers that I have on hand! This part is easy because no matter which ones you choose, crackers and nuts tend to go with everything!

Zoomed in picture of a charcuterie board.

Let’s Put it ALL Together!

Now that you have all of the perfect ingredients, it’s time to put it all together!! Charcuterie boards are the absolute best way to make something completely unique for any season! Change it up and add exactly what you like and it will be a huge hit with your family and friends!!

  1. Add the cheese: Start Assembling your board by adding the cheeses. Cut a pumpkin shape into the brie and fill with jam.
  2. Put in the spreads: Next add the honey, green olives, and pesto. 
  3. Meat: Add in the meats and fruit.
  4. Nuts and crackers: Fill the board in with crackers and pistachios.
  5. Decorate: Use a skelaton hand, some candy eyeballs and some black netting to make this fit just perfectly at your Halloween party!
A Halloween charcuterie board.

Charcuterie Board Tips

Being creative with a charcuterie board is going to be the key to its success! Here are a few tips to make simple variations and make them your own!

  • Shapes and colors: Keep in mind the season or holiday you are making this for when you are choosing things for your board! You can pick colors and shapes and tastes that go along with each particular time and event!
  • Change up the menu: A charcuterie board doesn’t HAVE to be meat and cheese. Make one for a kids party using fruits, candy and crackers. All things that your kids will love!
  • Add decorations: An easy way to spot exactly what event a charcuterie board is for is to decorate it for the season! Cut things out of the fruit or cheese and add in hearts for valentines or fireworks decorations for the fourth of July! Get creative and you will be able to use these all year long!
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Halloween Charcuterie Board

This Halloween charcuterie board is a ghoulish treat for any party! A spooky twist on your classic cheese board, it's filled with fruit, crackers, and meat and sure to be everyone's favorite!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword charcuterie board, halloween charcuterie board
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 933kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces Prosciutto di parma
  • 15 ounces Italian Dry Salami
  • 1/2 cup Green Olives

Cheese:

  • 12 ounces Double Cream Brie
  • 12 ounces Green Goddess Gouda
  • 12 ounces Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre
  • 14 ounces Merlot Bellavitano
  • Smoked Gouda for “Boo”
  • 1/4 cup pesto
  • 1/4 cup apricot jam
  • honey

Fruit:

  • Strawberries
  • Black Grapes
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Dried Apricots

Nuts:

  • Pistachios

Instructions

  • Start assembling your board by adding the cheeses. Cut a pumpkin shape into the brie and fill it with jam.
  • Next add the honey, green olives, and pesto.
  • Add in the meats and fruit.
  • Fill the board in with crackers and pistachios.

Nutrition

Calories: 933kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 2889mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 938IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 542mg | Iron: 2mg


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सोमवार, 6 सितंबर 2021

Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Cinnamon roll monkey bread is the easiest pull-apart dessert! It is amazingly soft, warm, and layered in decadent icing.

Monkey bread is a favorite in my family with how ooey-gooey and soft it is. Try out my traditional caramel monkey bread, pumpkin sweet potato bread, and cinnamon apple bread for more warm, sweet goodness that your family will go crazy over!

Closeup of taking a piece of cinnamon roll monkey bread.

Easy Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread Recipe

This incredibly easy dessert is every cinnamon roll lover’s dream! It’s perfect for events, parties, holidays, and also the midnight sweet treat craving. With less than 20 minutes of prep and super simple ingredients, there is no reason not to make this indulgent treat! In this recipe, we use prepackaged cinnamon rolls as a base to make your life a little easier. No need to make homemade icing either! I just scoop out the prepackaged icing, heat it up, and drizzle it on top. It’s so easy but so extremely delicious! However, what is really going to enhance this recipe is the cinnamon sugar butter mixture that we pour on top of the rolls to achieve maximum sweet, ooey-gooeyness.

The added cinnamon sugar really makes this cinnamon roll monkey bread pop. This is a dessert that my family always requests; they say it tastes better than traditional cinnamon rolls! It always gets eaten so quickly, and for good reason! You are going to love how soft, warm, sweet, and perfectly spiced the end result is. Honestly, you won’t want to make cinnamon rolls any other way! And if this isn’t enough to satisfy your cinnamon sugar craving, cinnamon sugar rhubarb cake, churro cheesecake, and snickerdoodle bars are other favorites of mine that you should most definitely try!

What You Need to Make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

You can level up store-bought cinnamon rolls with just a few extra pantry staples! With simple ingredients like cinnamon, sugar, and butter, no grocery trip is needed to make this soft, decadent bread! Measurements for each ingredient can be found below in the recipe card.

  • Large Prepared Cinnamon Rolls: I like to use Grands Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese icing, but you can use any variety of prepackaged cinnamon rolls you like! Just make sure that they are large.
  • Granulated Sugar: Needed for adding sweetness to your cinnamon sugar base.
  • Cinnamon: This is the key ingredient for getting that perfect sweet spice!
  • Butter: In this recipe I use unsalted, melted butter. It helps keep your bread moist with a perfect rich flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a delicious rich sweetness to your bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: Added to enhance and deepen flavor. As always, I recommend using pure vanilla extract if you have it! It makes a difference in the overall taste of your baked goods.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Making cinnamon roll monkey bread is as easy as it gets. This is the perfect dessert for busy moms! You are going to love the end result. It is so perfectly soft, warm, and cinnamony! Additionally, it makes your kitchen smell incredible which is an added perk.

  1. Prep Pan and Preheat Oven: To begin, spray a large bundt pan well with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 375°.
  2. Cut Cinnamon Rolls Into Pieces: Next, open the cans of cinnamon rolls and set aside the frosting. Cut each roll into quarters.
  3. Make Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together and then toss the cinnamon roll pieces in the sugar until evenly coated.
  4. Mix Remaining Ingredients Together: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla.
  5. Layer Rolls and Add Butter Mixture: Next, layer half of the coated cinnamon roll pieces in the bottom of the bundt pan and pour half of the brown sugar mixture over them. Add the rest of the cinnamon roll pieces in an even layer and pour the rest of the brown sugar mixture over them.
  6. Bake: Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the center of the rolls are cooked through and not gooey.
  7. Let Cool: Before flipping the pan onto a cake stand or a plate, remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  8. Prepare Icing: Lastly, transfer the icing from the containers they come in into a small bowl and heat for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Then, use a spoon or spatula to drizzle the icing over the cake and serve. It is best enjoyed warm!
Process shots of preparing rolls and cinnamon sugar glaze.

Tips for Making the BEST Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

This dessert is a tasty twist on traditional monkey bread! It is also quick and easy, especially since we use premade cinnamon rolls. The end result is anything but ordinary and has the crave-worthy cinnamon flavor you will love. With these easy tips and tricks, you can take your bread to the next level!

  • Large Cinnamon Rolls: Use large cinnamon rolls if possible. This is crucial to getting the amount of rolls in this bundt cake correct. Look for the “Grands!” on the packaging to make sure you’re getting the large ones.
  • Cooking Spray: Bundt pans can be tricky sometimes. If you are having a problem with your bread sticking to the sides of your pan, look for a cooking spray that’s designed for baking and contains flour in it. To add, be sure to spray the entire inside of the pan, including the center.
  • Icing: For the easiest icing, use the premade one that comes in packaged cinnamon rolls. It can be easily warmed and drizzled on the rolls. The Grands Cinnamon Rolls typically come with either cream cheese icing or traditional icing. Either will be delicious with this recipe!
  • Variations: There are often different flavors of premade cinnamon rolls available. As long as they are the large size, try out some different kinds like orange rolls! You can also add chopped apples, pecans, or raisins in to the brown sugar mix to add some texture. Drizzling homemade caramel sauce on top is also delicious! It creates the most sticky sweet version of this bread.
Drizzling icing on cinnamon roll monkey bread.

How to Store Your Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

This monkey bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but you can store and enjoy it for a few days after! I like to pop leftover monkey bread in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to get that perfect, warm texture.

  • At Room Temperature: If you have made this recipe without cream cheese icing, then it is best stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. If you have used cream cheese icing then it is not recommended to keep it at room temperature.
  • In the Refrigerator: With the cream cheese icing, this can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
  • In the Freezer: Freezing is not recommended with this monkey bread. Because of the amount of sugar in the recipe, it will melt and sweat as it defrosts and not be enjoyable once thawed and warmed.
Finished cinnamon roll monkey bread on a white serving dish.
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Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Cinnamon roll monkey bread is the easiest pull-apart dessert! It is amazingly soft, warm, and layered in decadent icing.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword cinnamon roll monkey bread, monkey bread
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 People
Calories 206kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 2 cans of Large Prepared cinnamon rolls I like Grands Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese icing
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Spray a large bundt pan well with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 375°.
  • Open the cans of cinnamon rolls and set aside the frosting. Cut each roll into quarters.
  • In a medium bowl mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together and then toss the cinnamon roll pieces in the sugar until evenly coated.
  • In a small bowl combine the melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla.
  • Layer half of the coated cinnamon roll pieces in the bottom of the bundt pan and pour half of the brown sugar mixture over them. Add the rest of the cinnamon roll pieces in an even layer and pour the rest of the brown sugar mixture over them.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the center of the rolls are cooked through and not gooey. Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before flipping the pan onto a cake stand or a plate.
  • Transfer the icing from the containers they come in into a small bowl and heat for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Use a spoon or spatula to drizzle the icing over the cake and serve. It is best enjoyed warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 356IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg


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Honey Bun Cake

Honey bun cake is a super moist cake swirled with cinnamon and sugar and covered in a delicious vanilla glaze. Absolutely mouthwatering, this tried and true recipe tastes like a cinnamon roll but in cake form!

I love anything with cinnamon and cake form! Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake, Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes or Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole are my favorites when it comes to dessert, brunch, and even breakfast!

Honeybun cake being cut with a fork.

Honey Bun Cake Made from Scratch

As one of my family’s very favorite cakes, this tried and true recipe hits the spot every time! We have been making this recipe for years and it’s not only super delicious but easy to make as well! If you are unfamiliar with it, a honey bun cake has the same flavor and taste as a cinnamon roll but the texture of a cake. This means, if you like cinnamon rolls, you can switch things up and make this recipe instead! The cake is moist and not too heavy making this an easy go-to for any breakfast or brunch!

This honey bun cake takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to bake. Because of this, it makes for a simple recipe that you can pull together just before you need it! Not only is the recipe simple but you don’t even need a mixer to make it! You just need to have a whisk ready to go and you are only on your way to making an amazingly delicious cake! This is definitely a recipe that your family will all go crazy over!

Ingredients in Homemade Honey Bun Cake

This honey bun cake only calls for a few ingredients! Most of them you will already have in your kitchen making this super easy. You will absolutely love it! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

  • Yellow cake mix: DON’T follow the directions for baking the cake on the box. The mix is all that you need for this recipe!
  • Eggs: This will bind all of the ingredients together.
  • Sour cream: The sour cream is what will help this cake be expecially moist.
  • Vegetable oil: If you have canola oil, go ahead and use that instead!
  • Brown sugar: Make sure to use light brown sugar and pack it well while measuring.
  • Cinnamon: The main ingredient to get that yummy cinnamon flavor!

How To Make Honey Bun Cake

Easy to make and delicious to eat, you can’t go wrong with this honey bun cake! Once it’s finished cooking, I dare you to stop at just one piece!

  1. Prep and Blend: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine cake mix, eggs, sour cream and oil in a large bowl and whisk together until well blended; set aside. 
  2. Mix: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Spread half of the cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch cake pan. 
  3. Alternate: Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar and cinnamon, covering the entire cake. Spread the rest of the cake batter over layer and top with remaining sugar and cinnamon. 
  4. Swirl batter: Use a knife and swirl the batter. Don’t swirl too much though, because you want to have pockets of cinnamon and sugar.
  5. Bake: Bake for around 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

How to Make the Glaze

  1. Combine and Mix: Combine powdered sugar, one Tablespoon of milk and vanilla and stir until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk. Pour over the hot cake right when it comes out of the oven. Let set. 
  2. Add Toppings: Serve warm or at room temperature. You can add ⅓ cup of chopped pecans to the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture if you would like
4 step by step pictures of the baking process.

Simple Cake Variations

A few simple changes to this honey bun cake and you can make it as much as you want and make it taste different every time! Here are a few ideas to start with!

  • Toppings: I used pecans as the topping in the glase but you could use anything that you want! Try some walnuts, M&M’s, mini chocolate chips or even some fruit!
  • Glaze flavor: If you want to change up the flavoring without it being overpowering, the glaze is a great place to start! Try switching out the liquid in the glaze to something else. Add a citrus juice (orange or lemon) instead. Or even buttermilk to make it a bit tangier!
Cake in a pan.

Easy Baking Tips

Baking this honey bun cake is super simple, especially if you follow these few quick tips! In fact, this cake is so simple and delicious, you will come back to this recipe again and again!

  • Glaze: If you need to spread the glaze out after pouring in onto the cake, make sure you do long strokes with your knife in one direction. If you go back and forth, it can take off the top layer of the cake and spread all of the crumbs around!
  • Brown sugar: Make sure that you pack this in tightly when you are measuring it. This presses out any pockets of air and helps you get the exact right amount of brown sugar.
Honeybun cake being cute with a fork.

Storing The Best Honey Bun Dessert

I’m not sure that you will have any leftovers after trying this cake! But if you do, here is how you can store it to enjoy later!

  • Room Temperature: This cake can last on your counter, at room temperature, for 2-3 days.
  • Refrigerator: Store your cake in an airtight container and place it in your refrigerator. It will last up to 6 days!
Honeybun cake on a plate.
Print

Honeybun Cake

Honey bun cake is a super moist cake swirled with cinnamon and sugar and covered in a delicious vanilla glaze. Absolutely mouthwatering, this tried and true recipe tastes like a cinnamon roll but in cake form!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword honey bun cake, honey bun cake recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Calories 336kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 15.25 ounces box yellow cake mix
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze:

  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 Tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine cake mix, eggs, sour cream and oil in a large bowl and whisk together until well blended; set aside.
  • Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Spread half of the cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch cake pan.
  • Sprinkle with half of the brown sugar and cinnamon, covering the entire cake. Spread the rest of the cake batter over layer and top with remaining sugar and cinnamon.
  • Use a knife and swirl the batter. Don't swirl too much though, because you want to have pockets of cinnamon and sugar.
  • Bake for around 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Meanwhile, make the glaze. Combine powdered sugar, one Tablespoon of milk and vanilla and stir until smooth. If it's too thick, add a little more milk. Pour over the hot cake right when it comes out of the oven. Let set.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature. You can add ⅓ cup of chopped pecans to the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture if you would like.

Video

Notes

Updated on September 5, 2021
Originally Posted on July 2, 2019

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg


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