Halloween

This weekend Jason's family (Glenda, John, Alyson, Kade, and Khloe) came to AR for some Halloween fun. We were so happy to have them visit. Kade (who is 13 and too old - and cool- to trick-or-treat) didn't dress up, but Khloe made a perfect Snow White. She was so cute!

Here is the very first house John Hall ever trick-or-treated. The bag was just for picture purposes, but he held on to it like a pro. I bet he'll be all about this holiday next year, but he told me he was so happy to not have to wear the Kermit costume ever again! Ha!

On Saturday night, we all pitched in to make a ghoulish meal of witch fingers, eyeball punch, mummies, witch/cat cupcakes along with some normal grub. Glenda made an incredible Gingerbread triffle...I think I may have found the recipe. I served the leftovers to some friends on Monday night and they couldn't believe how wonderful it tasted. They immediately said they wanted the recipe to serve for Thanksgiving, so I thought I'd go ahead and put it on here in case anyone is interested in making it...

Gingerbread Triffle

For gingerbread:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup mild molasses (not robust or blackstrap)
• 3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk (not powdered)
• 1/2 cup hot water

For pumpkin mousse:

• 1 (1/4-ounces) envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 (15-ounces) can pure pumpkin
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chilled heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For whipped cream:

• 1 1/2 cups chilled heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Equipment: a 2-quart trifle bowl or other deep serving bowl
• Garnish: chopped crystallized ginger

Preparation

• Make gingerbread:
  Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Line pan with foil, leaving an overhang at both ends, then butter foil.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.

Beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in egg until blended, then beat in molasses and buttermilk. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until smooth, then add hot water and beat 1 minute (batter may look curdled).

Spread batter evenly in pan and bake until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in pan. Using foil as an aid, transfer gingerbread to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch cubes with a serrated knife.

Make pumpkin mousse:
Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small saucepan and let soften 1 minute. Bring to a simmer, stirring until gelatin has dissolved. Whisk together gelatin mixture, pumpkin, brown sugar, spices, and salt in a large bowl until combined well.

Beat cream with vanilla using cleaned beaters until it holds soft peaks, then fold into pumpkin mixture gently but thoroughly.

Make whipped cream:
Beat cream with sugar and vanilla using mixer until it holds soft peaks.

Assemble trifle:
Put half of gingerbread cubes in trifle bowl. Top with half of pumpkin mousse, then half of whipped cream. Repeat layering once more with all of remaining gingerbread, mousse, and cream. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Cooks' notes: •Gingerbread (uncut) can be made 1 day ahead and kept in pan at cool room temperature (covered once cool).
•Trifle, without top layer of whipped cream, can be made 1 day ahead and chilled; whip half of cream just before serving.

We had lots of trick-or-treaters. I had planned on getting out early to let John Hall visit some of our close friends, but he was more concerned with taking a long nap into the evening so my plans went out the door! I should know by now, it is pointless to make plans! Here are some of my favorites...our friends, Kelly and Micheal brought a gift bag filled with fun toys rather than candy. He has enjoyed playing with his Halloween loot! Thanks, guys!!!

I think John Hall enjoyed all the "guy" time he spent with the Havard boys. He was facinated by Khole and she kept doing silly things that made him giggle. He loves being spoiled by family and says he hopes they'll come and visit again very soon!