PARANORMAN cookies and cupcakes for Halloween
I know, it feels almost too early for Halloween, but the eerie chill you feel (right? that’s what I was going for) is actually meant to celebrate the almost-release of the 3D stop-motion family film, ParaNorman, from Focus Features, opening August 17. Focus Features asked me to help spread the word via sweets, and how can I resist this awesome combination of kid fun, dessert and movies? They created an uber-fantastic, supernatural decorating kit so you could create your own themed desserts. I made ParaNorman cookies and cupcakes.
ABOUT THE FLICK:
Before you do anything, watch the hilariously creepy trailer:
Quoted from Focus Features: “The film ParaNorman follows Norman, a misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead and his adventures as he takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups, in order to save his town from a centuries-old curse. The film is rated PG and from the makers of Coraline. It promotes the positive message of embracing the qualities that make each of us unique and not to shy away from our gifts, like the tagline says, ;You don’t become a hero by being normal.’ Leslie Mann, John Goodman, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck and Kodi Smit-McPhee lend their voices to the film.” Read more about the film HERE.
THE DECORATING KITS
Each kit includes: ParaNorman cupcake liners with character cupcake picks, edible frosting toppers, and a custom-made ParaNorman cookie cutter.
I made some cookies on a stick with the cookie cutters, and given the film’s subject matter, I feel entirely OK about the whole head-on-a-stick thing. By the way, that red felt tie is supposed to represent Norman’s sweatshirt. I also used the edible frosting toppers to make cookie pops. And I used the cupcake liners and picks to make some neon green cupcakes oozing blood.
how to make Paranorman cookies
To make the cookie pops, I made my cookie dough, chilled, rolled out and cut out 2 1/2-inch circles for the frosting topper cookie pops and used my Norman cookie cutter to make Norman.
For cookie pop how-tos, click here.
I prepared my royal icing, divided and tinted using my Americolor Soft Gel Pastes (Bright White, Super Black, Peach, a mix of Sky and Royal Blue, and Chocolate Brown).
To make Norman, I prepped decorating bags with couplers and size 1, 2, and 3 tips and piped my decoration. For the circle pops, I outlined each circle with white and flooded with white icing.
(For basic cookie decorating how-tos, click here and to find supplies click here.)
Then I let the flooded icing dry overnight. I brushed the surface of the cookie with light corn syrup, then gently placed a frosting topper on top and smoothed with my fingers.
how to make Paranorman cupcakes
To make the cupcakes, I simply prepared white cake batter from a mix, and added some Electric Green Americolor Soft Gel Paste. I made some frosting, tinted it with the same Electric Green, and used a decorating bag with size 1M tip to pipe the frosting on the cupcakes. Then I put some strawberry preserves in a decorating bag, snipped the tip and piped “blood” on the cupcakes. Insert the picks, and that’s it.
UPDATE: Congratulations to Melissa, Amber, Mikey, Stephanie and Carla! Their comments (numbers 5, 64, 65, 44 and 7) were randomly drawn to win and their prizes are on the way…
THE GIVEAWAY!!!
Leave me a creepy comment (a non-creepy comment works, too) here before
Sunday August 12, midnight EST
and FIVE of you will be randomly chosen to win a
ParaNorman decorating kit.
Winners must have a US address.
Winners have 48 hours to respond after being notified before another name is drawn.
Tammy Honeycutt says
My girls would love these. I would love to win this package to have our own creepy family fun
Mary Juckett says
I would totally love to win this…I would have so much fun make things with this set. Thank you for the chance to win.
Gloria says
My 6 year old is ALL over this movie before it’s even out. He has also been talking about Halloween for the past few weeks and would LOVE this.
Stephanie says
This movie looks like it will be a lot of fun to see. Thanks for the chance to win.
Karen B says
How cute these are! I can’t wait to see the movie. It looks hilarious! Nice way to make it complete.
Marcella says
My daughter has been talking about this movie for months! Can’t wait to see it.
Meghan says
BOO! My daughter (who is 6) decorates cookies right along side me.. and I know this would be a fun project to do after seeing the movie.
Love your cookie pops and your site..your RI (sort of) is my go to icing (love love love it!)…Thank you so much!
Diane says
SPookTACULAR!
Oh well worth a shot :))
Thank you for the chance to win.
My grand kids can’t wait to see it !
maria alvarado says
I can’t wait for the movie to come out, kids can’t wait either. wink wink… LOL… Love the cupcake liners, cookie cutters and toppers. The cookies were so cute.
Kim says
Great giveaway. Thank you
Pointy says
These look cute, I love that green! ๐ Love those individual cake-stands too. ๐
I have a question – when you’re colouring buttercream (which I think this is?), how do you get more delicate colours? I struggle to get pale colours because the cream is already yellow from the butter. I tried to make some purple the other day using gels, but the yellow base-colour made it very difficult and I ended up with a muddy dark pink (which actually looked okay once it was piped).
Jane says
I husband would love to see this movie. Cute cookies
Ashley T. says
I’m certain I want to see this movie more than my 3 1/2 year old, but she would absolutely enjoy all the treats this kit would make. Awesome job, thanks for the giveaway!
Gwen Parmer says
So excited about ParaNorman!!! The cupcakes are precious!!!
Melissa says
I love anything Tim Burton! Cant wait to see this movie and love the blood on cupcakes.
mary norman says
very cute. looks like a good movie too.,
thanks for the chance,
mary
Steph says
The ParaNorman cookie pops are awesome! Great treats for a really neat looking movie.
Buffy says
Oh wow!! BEAUTIFUL..I hope I am the winner of these delicious treats….they are to die for, get it. thanks for the chance and more than excited to see the movie. ๐
kelly ronca says
My kids would love this! Halloween is our favorite time of year. I can’t wait to see this movie! Thanks for an awesome giveaway.
Stevie says
I love watching movies…sitting in an Air Condition room for two hours eating popcorn.