Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes

Name: Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 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

These special cupcakes, decorated with bats, black cats, webs and ghosts, disappeared fast!—Barb Schlafer, Appleton, Wisconsin

Ingredients

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

Directions

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 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.