The folks at McCormick recently contacted me to ask if I would be interested in creating a Halloween dessert with a package of their products, and if I would like to include my daughter in the project. They also offered to send one of my readers their own box of McCormick Halloween baking goodies.
My first thought was “okay, that sounds like fun, I already use and love their products – so why not?”. My second thought was “I usually do my baking while she’s at school, she has tests to study for this week and a dance performance this weekend, how will I have time to fit it in?”. My third thought was something along the lines of “whoa, wait a minute, am I debating if I have the time to bake with my daughter???”. Stop. Do Not Pass Go. We Have A Problem.
Life seems to get so busy, so quickly. Between school, homework and a demanding dance schedule, my daughter is a very busy girl. My “to do” list is always a mile long and on the rare occasion that I make it through the list, even with the best intentions, sometimes I’m too exhausted to even think straight. Some how days turn into weeks that turn into months and time flies by in the blink of an eye. Before you know it your two year old cupcake decorator becomes an eight year old cupcake decorator…
This project was a much needed reminder of how important it is to find the time to make the memories. It isn’t just about making some Halloween cupcakes, but more importantly it’s about spending quality time together having fun and doing something creative that we both enjoy. Many of my memories growing up involve being in the kitchen helping my Mother and Grandmothers. One thing I vividly remember about helping in the kitchen was counting the drops of food coloring when I was given the task of coloring the frosting (and sneaking a taste of that frosting!). There was something magical about turning things a different color, what child doesn’t love that??? And I remember doing it with these little bottles…
Those iconic little food coloring bottles. I remember them SO clearly. I love that McCormick still uses the same bottles, and wonder if years from now my girls will look back and recall those bottles with the distinct little tops on them. It’s not always the big trips to Disneyland that are the things we remember, sometimes it’s something as simple as coloring the frosting.
So back to our baking project… I asked my daughter if she would like to help me create some Halloween treats, and she was enthusiastically on board. McCormick sent us out a box of Halloween baking goodies and a Tricks For Your Treats handout of great ideas to inspire us…
My daughter was quite anxious to see what was inside. Okay, I was too.
There were all kinds of great baking goodies inside – McCormick’s Pure Vanilla, Food Coloring, Black Food Coloring, Dots, Junior Mints, Cupcake Liners, Candy Corn and more.
My daughter’s baked good of choice for our project was Orange Velvet Cupcakes (click here to download our Orange Velvet Cupcake recipe). Using McCormick’s Food Coloring, we colored our cupcake batter Orange Sunset…
And created a colorful orange batter…
After the cupcakes were done it was time to color half of the frosting black, and start our decorating.
McCormick’s Tricks For Your Treats idea sheet provides fun yet simple Halloween decorating ideas that were easy to recreate. They offer Sweet Treat ideas and Spooky Treat Ideas. My daughter is always up for spooky. First she made an eyeball cupcake…
Next it was a candy corn vampire…
And then the cute (I mean spooky!) little spider cupcake…
A spooky black cat cupcake…
Some creative skeleton cupcakes…
And our favorites – the ones we decorated together – the ghosts in the graveyard cupcakes…
The ghosts were created easily by putting white frosting into a Ziploc bag, cutting a corner off the bag and piping the frosting on to the cupcake (no decorator bag or tips needed), and finishing with chocolate chips for the mouth and eyes.
We really enjoyed spending our Sunday afternoon hanging out at the kitchen table and decorating cupcakes together. It’s something we need to take the time to do more often, as I know that all too soon she’ll be a teenager and probably think that she has better things to do than to make cupcakes with her Mom. Though knowing this child’s deep love of cake (her second word, I kid you not, was bir-cake – for birthday cake), I have a feeling she’ll always have a few minutes to eat one of Mom’s cupcakes.
Click here to download our Orange Velvet Halloween Cupcake Recipe!
THIS CONTEST HAS CLOSED. THANK YOU!
Would you like to win a free box full of Halloween baking goodies from McCormick so that you can bake up some Halloween memories of your own? Here’s how to enter…
1. Leave a comment to this post, and you are entered. Easy peasy!
If you would like additional entries, you can do any or all of the following…
2. Follow McCormick on Facebook, let them know that Love From The Oven sent you, and leave a comment to this post letting me know that you did.
3. Follow Love From The Oven on Facebook, and leave a comment here that you do.
4. Follow Love From The Oven on Twitter, and leave a comment here that you do.
For FOUR entries, you will leave FOUR separate comments on this blog post. The winner will be drawn at random on Sunday, October 16th. Thanks so much for entering! Happy Baking And Memory Making!
I would love to win the McCormick Halloween baking box!
I follow Love From The Oven on Facebook!
I would love to win this one! fun
I follow you on FB
I follow McCormick on FB
They’re so adorable (not just the kids, the cupcakes too)
!
The spider one is my fave.
Wow,she did such a nice job! Very spooky!
I follow you on Twitter
I’m following you on Twitter (@monicadearest).
I follow love from the oven on facebook.
I follow McCormic on fb and told them love from the oven sent me!
Such a great post! Thanks for putting things into perspective. Sometimes with everything going on we forget the lil things.
Love the ghost!
I love baking with McCormick!
you make me love halloween a little more with every post!
Love it!
I’m crossing my fingers!
Following you on Facebook
Following you on Twitter
I would love to create some baking memories with these great items!!
Following McCormick on Facebook
Follow you on Facebook
amazing! I love this. Really hope I win
She did such a good job on the cupcakes. I would love to win and bake these with my daughters.
became a fan of McCormick Spice on fb – left a comment!
already a fan of yours on fb
following you on twitter already
I would love to win this prize
I would love to win!!
I am a fb fan of love from the oven.
My daughter and I would love this!
I’m a fan of mccormicks on fb
Following LFTO on FB.
Following LFTO on Twitter.
Enter me, plz!
I’d really like to win the Mccormick Box, the little kitty cupcakes are too cute!
I follow you on facebook!
I follow McCormick on Facebook
These are all so cute!! What fun!
I follow Love From The Oven on FB!
Oh my gosh, how cut and what fun a fun box of goodies! It’s so important to take a step back and live life and not let it live us. That time with the kids is so special, thanks for the reminder
You girls made some great treats!
I follow you on Facebook! Love keeping up with your updates
I follow you on Twitter too!
I am now a fan of McCormick on Facebook, how fun would this be to win!
These cupcakes are adorable! I really like the ones with the little ghosts on them. I will definitely have to recreate them for Halloween.
I follow you on Twitter as awesome_tacos.
I’ve “liked” you on FB as Alicia T*****o.
Thanks for another great giveaway!
Those decorations are super cute! Love them.
I follow McCormick on Facebook
I follow Love From The Oven on Facebook
I follow Love From The Oven on Twitter
Your kid is funny looking.
I like McCormick and liked their FB page
I love Love from the Oven!!! I always share with all my girls!
I follow Love from the Oven on FB
I follow Love FROM THE Oven on Twitter
these look so cool! Im gonna be making some Halloween cupcakes for my friends Halloween party so I’m getting some fun ideas from this! And of course Im following LFTO on twitter
I would love to win! It looks so fun!
Can’t wait to make these with my kids!
Love your site! This giveaway would be wonderful to win!
We like you on Facebook!
We follow you on Twitter!
I would love to win the McCormick Halloween baking box
!!!!
Omg I love it!!! I’m following every single page you’ve requested that we follow
I would love to win this looks like a lot of fun! 
Following McCormick on Facebook, posted you sent me =)
I think my diet would go better if I didn’t read so many blogs involving baked goods.
I follow you on FB.
I follow you on Twitter.
What a fantastic Halloween giveaway. Thanks so much for having it. Have a blessed day!!!
I Follow McCormick on Facebook
I follow Love from the Oven on fb too!!!
I love your site – I only wish I had more time to bake with my kids! Thank you!
I love making Halloween treats!
I like LFTO on FB!
These look SOOO cute! I was just thinking of you last night when I passed some Halloween peeps and thought I needed to do some Halloween themed treats for work soon.
Love the cupcakes! Very adorable and yummy looking!
I left a comment on McCormicks FB page and thank you for sharing all these great Halloween cupcake ideas! I LOVE THEM!!!!
My kids and I would love this!
I love to win this!
I follow Love From the Oven on facbook. I love all of your recipes and ideas..I would love to win the McCormick Halloween Baking box…
I follow you on FB:)
I follow McCormick on FB
I would love to win the goodies! I have the most adorable kids in my life that I can share it with.
I follow you on Twitter.
those all look great! thanks for the chance.
I like you on Facebook!
Love this! I would love to use this for halloween!
i follow you and everyone you suggest on facebook… i am so happy that i found your blog.. you give me such great ideas on baking and i want to thank you…
love the orange velvet – I will have to try it!
Ohhh I can feel the sugar high already!
Great ideas! McCormick’s always comes up with great stuff!
I love love love baking Halloween treats!
I follow Love From The Oven on Twitter
The only thing better than Halloween is free Halloween stuff…ha!
Ps. I follow Love from the Oven on Facebook.
I like Love From The Oven on Facebook
I like McCormick on Facebook and left a comment on their page
Such a cute kit, would love to win!
I also follow Love From the Oven on FB
Orange velvet cupcakes look intriguing and sound yummy!
I would love to win this awesome kit! I work on Halloween night so it would be a fun treat to bring in for the coworkers
I love this!
Just started following you on twitter!
Follow on Twitter.
Follow on FB.
I would love to give some of these a try!
I follow love from the oven on facebook
Looks like you two had a lot of fun making them!
It is about time that there is a black food dye
I follow Love From the Oven on facebook
Love the Giveaway
Follow You on FB!!!
now following McCormick on facebook
I follow McCormick On FB
This would be great to have on a cool fall rainy day – the opportunities – & masterpieces are endless!
`Follow Love From The Oven on Facebook!
I enjoyed the post from Love from the Oven about McCormick’s idea for creating Halloween cupcakes with your daughter. Doing things with her is high priority and I was happy to see your comments reminding us to enjoy every day with the things that matter.
my kids would love this!!!
How fun! Looks like you both had a great time!
I am a fan of mccormick on fb!
I am a fan of love from the oven on fb!
I am a follower on twitter! @doces_americano
Fun! Wish I could still bake with my kiddies, but they are all grown up and far away.
I follow on fb
I follow you AND McCormick on FB.
Holy Smokes!!!! Will you adopt me so I can bake and decorate cupcakes too?! Your daughters are absolutely beautiful, I love this post. It makes me want to leave TX and drive home to KY to bake goodies with my Mama. (love you, Mom!)
This is a FABULOUS giveaway. Thank you! Thank you!
xoxo,
Nicole
http://mrshutchison.wordpress.com/
I follow Love From the Oven on Twitter
Follow on Facebook.
I’m a fan of Love From the Oven on Facebook.
I let McCormick know you sent me!
I like McCormick on facebook.
I’m also a fan of McCormick on Facebook.
xoxo
Nicole
I’d love to win this.
That sure looks like a fun project! I love the black dye!
I love, love, love Love From The Oven….I also love McCormick products!!!
Fan on Facebook!
Now following McCormick on FB
That box looks like so much fun!
Following McCormick on fb
Following you on fb
Love it…because we all love Halloween and Baking
I follow Love from the Oven on FB
I follow Love from the Oven on Twitter
I agree it is so important to stop and make time to do things with the ones that we love!!! Love all the fun pics of your young baking expert! She did awesome decorating all the cupcakes!!! What a fun giveaway package…would love to win that!!!
I follow you on Facebook too:-)
I now follow McCormick on FB
This looks like so much fun! I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to bake with!
I liked McCormick on facebook!
I liked Love from the Oven on facebook!
I follow Love from the Oven on Twitter!
Love your blog and you have great giveaways!
I really want one of those McCormick packages!! How else could I get one?! I alsoe have followed you on Facebook and Twitter!!
I love all the Halloween decorations! They make the cupcakes so cute!
Sweet post
I follow LFTO on FB!
Follow you on fb
I follow you on twitter too!
I now follow McCormick on FB and left love for you on it!
I follow Love from the Oven on Twitter , left you some love!!
I follow Love from the Oven on FB
I would love to win this! I love the spider cupcakes! =)
Yay! Enter me! This looks like fun! I’ll have to do it with my niece and nephew if I win <3
I Love these goodies!
I follow Love from the Oven on FB
2. just liked McCormick and told them you sent me!
Also, now following Love from the Oven on facebook! Yay!
I follow Love from the Oven on Twitter
3. I already follow you on facebook <3
4. already following you on twitter too! <3
I follow McCormick on FB
I’m so glad you did this post. My 3 yr old and I need to get decorating. Life is always too busy, but I need to make time for memories. Thanks!
Christi, what a beautiful post. It reminds me of all the things I tell myself I don’t have time for. It’s so easy to get lost in the avalanche of to-do’s and lose sight of what really feeds us and makes us happy. I hate to sound so after-school-special, but true is true.
Yep – I would love to win a McCormick Halloween decorating kit!
I AM a fan on Facebook – please enter me to win the kit!
Ohhhh cute!!
LOVE you blog!! What a fun box of goodies!!!
Those are adorable! I want to go out and get that fun little kit. Super cute!!
Looks like so much fun! I’d love to win.
I follow you on FB.
I’m now following McCormick on FB.
I now follow you on Twitter. You are in AZ?? If only the weather would cool down for us…doesn’t feel like fall yet!
I now follow you on Facebook.
These cupcakes are so fun!! I would love to be able to have this kit and create some of my own Halloween themed cupcakes!
I now follow McCormick on Facebook
I already follow Love From The Oven on Facebook
I already follow Love From The Oven on Twitter
I follow McCormick now on FB so would like another entry – thanks!
Such cute cupcakes!
Fan on Facebook!
Already a Fan of McCormick’s on FB!
Follow you on Twitter! (@NCFlag)
I love love love that you had a great time creating with your girls! It is so much easier to sneak it in while they are otherwise occupied….but much more fun this way!
I already follow you on Facebook!
)
I am now following McCormick’s facebook page!
Love the cupcakes and I LOVE baking with my soon to be 7 year old to and making wonderful memories!
I follow McCormick now on FB so would like another entry – thanks!
Would love to win! Such cute creations!
I follow you on twitter.
OH how fun!!! LOVE this giveaway, and LOVING the cupcakes. Cute stuff.
Adorable, creative cupcakes! Future baker?
What a wonderful collection of baking goodies!
Adorable cupcakes! I did some Halloween mini cupcakes this past weekend if you want to check them out at:
http://chocotuile.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-mini-cupcakes.html
I love these cupcakes! Baking is a favorite activity that my mom and I share, and I think of her every single time I bake (which is quite often!). It helps me feel more connected now that I’m out of college and far away from home doing my own thing. Thanks for the reminder to slow down and make memories with the ones we love!
mccormick on facebook
love from oven on facebook
love from oven on twitter
i would love to win this!
yay mccormick!
I just stumbled across this site and these cupcakes look yummy. What a lucky person you are to have a very talented cupcake decorator. I can’t wait to try the recipe. McCormick products have been a staple in my family for over 50 years. I already follow McCormick and just liked your page. I got go explore your page now!
Can’t wait to make these for our Birthday/Halloween Party!
Like Love from the Oven on Facebook!
how fun! would love to win this and do some seasonal baking
I love McCormick baking products. Thanks for the giveaway!
I like Love From The Oven on Facebook
I follow on facebook
Loved your post, you are so right we do need to take time to make the memories, thanks for the reminder. The cupcakes were awesome!! I already follow on FB & posted on McCormick’s page that you sent me:)
Id love to win this kit!
I follow love from the oven on fb!
I follow mccormick on fb!
Sooo cool they contacted you! Congratulations.
I follow love from the oven on fb!
I liked McCormick on FB!
I would love to get a goodie box!!!:)
How cute, orange velvet cupcakes! Looks like they were fun to decorate, too.
I am a fan of Love From the Oven on Fb!
I love the idea of orange velvet cake!
I liked mccormick on facebook
i like love from the oven on facebook
i follow love from the oven on twitter
I love the eyeball cupcake and the spider one the best! So creative.
Great stuff – would love to win!!
love to win thank you
like Love from the oven on fb
These are so adorable. I would love to make some of these with my neice and nephew! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win.
I already liked Mccormicks they are wonderful however I mentioned Love from the oven while I was there
I follow you on FB
My girls would love to try some of these ideas out! What a great giveaway.
I already follow Love from the Oven on facebook. =) Love it!
Now following McCormick on facebook.
Oh how fun – I am gonna have to do this with my children!
Such adorable cupcakes!
Love your story & the step by step pics! Everything looks so yummy!
Following you on FB
Following McCormick on FB. can’t believe I didn’t come across them before now
Such great ideas!
I “Like” McCormick on Facebook
I “Like” Love from the Oven on Facebook
I follow “Love from the Oven” on twitter. My handle is hecialis
Cool and simple cupcake ideas!
I already “Like” you on Facebook.
Just “Liked” McCormick on facebook.
I love Halloween baking! And I remember those food coloring bottles! Childhood memories!
I follow you on Facebook!
I just followed McCormick on FB!
I am going to make this for a charity bakesale-the ghost in the graveyard, black cat and spiders!
I “like”d both Mccormick’s and Love from the Oven on Facebook!
This is my favorite baking season! I love the flavors and colors. So creative!
These are so cute and I’m so glad you made time to bake with your daughter
I follow mcCormick
I now follow you on Facebook
woohoo enter me!
i like mcCormick on FB
i like love from the oven on FB
i follow love from the oven on twitter
that is an awesome box of “tricks”, they would make making cake pops from scratch more fun (as opposed to boxed mixes)
I am so excited to be entering another one of your contests. You have an amazing blog!
I just went and started to follow McCormick on Facebook, I also let them know that you sent me
and of course I follow you on Facebook. you’re one of my favorite addictions
Black food coloring! I LUV it! You always have the best giveaways!
Lor TIerney
Crazydrivah@yahoo.com
Your cupcakes are adorable!!
I also follow you on Facebook.
Definately going to make these! Hope I win
I follow you on facebook!
I follow McCormick Spices on facebook
What a great giveaway!! Such neat items…would love to bake/decorate with them with my 2 daughters!!!
I follow Love From the Oven on Facebook!!!
I just followed McCormick on Facebook..and, of course, I let them know you sent me!!!
I love these cupcakes! My girls are really starting to get into baking with me. They are 7 and 4 and their favorite things are cupcakes. It looks like so much fun!
so many cute ideas! can’t wait to try them out with my 3 year old
i like love from the oven on facebook
Love your blog, follow you on faebook, this kit would be so fun to do with my younger two kids ages 16 & 12 and my 2 yr old grand son
Super Cute!!! Love all the Halloween ideas : ) Thanks for Sharing.
Looks yummy!
That halloween box is awesome
Very creative! For a list delicious desserts to be served for this Halloween season visit http://www.icicing.com.
Love this kit!
I like love from the oven on facebook!
I LOVE you on FB!
I soooooo want to win
I follow McCormick on Facebook
I follow Love From the Oven on Facebook! Love, love, LOVE your stuff!!!
I love all the ideas!
What an awesome giveaway! The cupcakes look wonderful and the kids looked like they had making them! Hope to win this one, my twins would love to make some of these cupcakes!
I Follow Love From The Oven on Facebook.
I would love to receive this box. Baking with a daughter is always the best!
I Follow McCormick on Facebook and left them a message that you sent me.
Just liked McCormick on Facebook & let them know you sent me!
I already follow Love From the Oven on Facebook!
I Follow Love From The Oven on Twitter – @DKPA
I already follow Love From the Oven on Twitter!
Just printed the cupcake recipe — thanks!!
I follow you on facebook, too!
These looks fabulous! What a fun, fall project and yummy
I just liked McCormick on facebook!
I already follow you on FB
Just started following McCormick on FB. Can those boxes be bought?!?!
I cant wait to try the Orange Velvet cupcakes, sounds yummy!! Thanks!!
So cute! Just love your ideas. My daughter is an Oct 30th birthday and we love to look at all the fun stuff!
I love your cute (i mean Spooky!) ideas! I need to take more time to bake and cook with my little guy too. We often get so busy that we get in the mindframe that it’ll just be quicker if I do it myself. But where’s the fun in that??!!
I already follow Love From The Oven on FB
cool! a cat cupcake, would love to win the kit!
follow love from the oven on twitter @superstarshineh
like love from the oven on fb – helen trimble
Liked McCormick on FB.
Most of the spice jars in my cabinet have the McCormick label on them
Following Love From The Oven on Facebook
Following Love From The Oven on Twitter
Following McCormick on Facebook
Love your site and ideas
I follow you on Fb
Thx for the chance to win yet another giveaway
want to make everything!
follow you on fb
follow you on twitter
follow mccormick on fb
cute little cupcakes!!
I just went and Liked McCormick on Facebook
and of course, I still Like you on Facebook. : )
I love the photos your story of making all those cute cupcakes with your kids. I downloaded the orange velvet cupcake recipe and can’t wait to make them with my nephews.
I follow McCormick on facebook. I posted on their wall that Love from the Oven sent me.
I follow you on facebook
I now follow you on twitter!
Following McCormick on Facebook!
Hi! I would love to win! Thanks for sharing!
I follow you on FB!
I follow you on Twitter
I like McCormick on FB!