Printable | Taste of Home

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
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

Printed from tasteofhome.com Jul 24, 2008

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Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes cont.

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 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.