When the candles glow and cake frosting gleams, may luck be yours this Halloween. Take part in a flavorful ritual by making our Black Magic Cake, a wickedly delicious recipe made with pumpkin Simple Mills baking mix, charcoal kefir frosting made with Vanilla Organic Whole Milk Lifeway kefir, marshmallow webbing, and frosting ghosts. This recipe is a fun one to make with kids or other adults, so don’t miss out!
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Ingredients
Simple Mills Cake Recipe
- 2 boxes of pumpkin baking mix (or vanilla mix works)
- 6 eggs
- 2/3 cup Plain Lowfat Kefir
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp pumpkin spice
Kefir Cream Frosting
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 4-6 tbsp. Vanilla Whole Milk Kefir
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup butter softened
Additional Ingredients
- 1 bag of large marshmallows
- 2-3 tbsp of charcoal
Directions
- Bake your Simple Mills cakes by following the box instructions. Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool. Place in the refrigerator as you begin to prep the frosting.
- In a large bowl with a standing mixture, whisk together softened butter until smooth.
- Slowly add in vanilla extract and whole milk kefir and mix until smooth.
- Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add in powdered sugar (1/2 cup at a time) until all mixed together.
- If needed, add more whole milk kefir to get a smoother consistency.
- Scoop some of the white frosting into a pastry bag to create the frosting ghosts. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pipe a 2- to 3-inch mound of frosting. This will be a ghost body. Top with a second 1-inch mound of frosting for the ghost head. Repeat the piping process, varying the sizes of ghosts for visual interest. Finish by placing two chocolate chips for the ghost eyes on the ghost head.
- Take the remaining bowl of frosting and add in activated charcoal to get the natural dark coloring. Use the standing mixture to make sure there are no clumps.
- Place the first layer of cake on the rotating cake stand and place a dollop of frosting on top, smoothing out before you place the 2nd layer on. The frosting should be 1/2 inch thick between the layers.
- Begin the rotating your cake stand as you pipe the frosting around the sides of the cake. Once you get to the top of the 2nd layer, place the rest of the frosting on top and begin smoothing everything out.
- Place the cake in the fridge as you prep the marshmallow webbing. Empty your bag of large marshmallows into a large bowl and place in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time till the marshmallows being expanding and softening to the point you can mix it together into a silky fluff. Let it cool slightly as you get the cake back out of the fridge. Put medical gloves on your hands and immerse them in the marshmallow fluff. Pull your hands out and expand your fingers into a starfish and begin stretching out a web-like texture and blanketing it over the cake.
- Once you are done decorating the cake you can place the frosting ghosts on top and enjoy!
