Summer is long gone and the long winter nights stretch out ahead of us...

But before we all get wrapped up and adjust the thermostat there's Halloween to celebrate.

There are some great Halloween events happening in Lowestoft this year and here's just a small selection...

There's Halloween fun at Africa Alive! with Too-wit Too-WHO.  Join in with a week of nocturnal animal activities including a 'Too-Wit Too-Who?' trail, special animal talks, spooky displays and the Africa Alive! ghost train!

Or you could head over to Pleasurewood Hills and their Head for the Hills Halloween fun packed week. Are you ready for the thrills and mystery that will unfold at Pleasurewood Hills? And are you brave enough to stay there after dark?

Can you solve the riddles in the spooky maze and find out who is haunting Somerleyton Hall? Ghoulish and spooky fun awaits all the family in the Spooky Halloween Maze Trail.

And if you're feeling creative why not try your hand at some Halloween baking with these delicious Whoopie Pies...

For the whoopie pies:

125g butter or margarine, softened
200g caster sugar
1 large egg, beaten
400g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
1¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
Approx 250ml low-fat buttermilk
(If you can't find buttermilk, you can make a buttermilk substitute by mixing together 175g yoghurt and 75g semi-skimmed milk.)

For the whoopie pie topping:
150g icing sugar
2-3 drops orange natural food colouring
Chocolate stars, moons and hearts (try Dr. Oetker Chocolate Stars, Moons & Hearts)

For the whoopie pie filling:
150g unsalted butter, softened
250g icing sugar
2-3 drops orange natural food colouring
You'll also need:

3 large baking trays
Baking paper
 

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Line 3 large baking trays with baking paper.

For the whoopie pies: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter or margarine and sugar together until pale and creamy then beat in the egg.

Sift the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda into another large bowl. Gradually add spoonfuls of the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, stirring well after each addition, along with sufficient buttermilk to make a smooth, thick cake mixture (you may not require the full 250ml (9fl.oz) of buttermilk).

Using a teaspoon, drop walnut-sized scoops of the mixture on to the baking trays, spaced well apart to allow for room for spreading.

Bake in the oven for 10-12 mins until risen and firm to the touch. Cool for 5 mins on the trays before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the whoopie pie topping: Sift the icing sugar into a clean and dry mixing bowl and add the orange food colouring. Gradually add 5 to 6tsp of warm water to make a smooth, spreadable icing. Spread thickly over the peaked side of half the cold cakes. Sprinkle with chocolate stars, moons and hearts and leave to set.

For the whoopie pie filling: Put the butter in a clean and dry mixing bowl and beat until soft. Gradually sieve in the icing sugar, beating well after each addition, to make a smooth, spreadable icing. Stir in the orange food colouring and spread thickly over the flat sides of the remaining pie halves using a knife.

When the iced pie tops have set, carefully sandwich them on to the filled pie halves. 

And if they turn out really nice, save one for me!

The full recipe can be seen on the Good to Know Recipes website.

Have a great Halloween in Lowestoft.