Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup baking cocoa 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups water 1 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons white vinegar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract FROSTING: 1/2 cup shortening 1/2 cup butter, softened 4-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 24, 2008 Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008

-----------------------Fold------------------------ Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes cont. 3 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon almond extract Black paste food coloring Orange and black M&M's Tart 'n' Tiny candies 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 paper-lined 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 Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 24, 2008 Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008

Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes 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 candies as desired. Yield: 2 dozen. Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 24, 2008 Copyright Reiman Media Group, Inc © 2008