Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes

By ezunich

Ingredients

• Frosting:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp white vinegar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tbs water
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp almond extract
• Black paste food coloring
• Orange and black M&M'S
• Tart 'n' Tinys candies

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Combine the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paperlined muffin cups two-thirds full.

Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, butter and confectioners' sugar. Stir in water and extracts. Remove 1/2 cup frosting to a small bowl; tint with black food coloring. Frost cupcakes with remaining white frosting.

Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag. Insert a small round #5 tip; fill bag with black frosting.

Decorate cupcakes with black frosting and candles as desired.