Make Your Own Spooky Spider Cupcakes

Make Your Own Spooky Spider Cupcakes
by: Jackie Taylor

Sink your fangs into these Spooky Spider Halloween Cupcakes — rich, moist chocolate cupcakes crowned with silky black cocoa frosting and creepy-crawly licorice legs that’ll make your Halloween party guests scream… with delight!Whip up 24 devilishly dark treats in just 30 minutes of prep. The secret? A splash of coffee that makes the chocolate flavor absolutely haunting. Top them with glossy black buttercream, eight bendy licorice legs, and glowing red candy eyes for spiders so realistic, you’ll swear they’re crawling right off the platter.Perfect for trick-or-treat night, spooky movie marathons, or terrifying your coworkers at the office party. One bite of these fudgy beauties and everyone will be begging for the recipe… if they dare!

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled

Yields: 24 cupcakes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes

For the frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Black food coloring

For the spiders:

  • Black licorice
  • Red candy eyes

Instructions:

Make the cupcakes:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
  • Alternately add dry ingredients and wet ingredients to the butter mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, do not overmix.
  • Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let cupcakes cool in tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the frosting:

  • In a large bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Add black food coloring until you reach your desired shade of dark chocolate.

Assemble the spiders:

  • Frost cooled cupcakes with dark chocolate frosting.
  • Cut licorice into pieces for legs.
  • Stick licorice legs into the top of each cupcake to form spider legs.
  • Place red candy eyes on the top of each cupcake for the spider’s eyes.
  • Enjoy your spooky spider cupcakes!

Pro-Tip:

For a shiny more authentic look, dip your frosted cupcakes in a combination of black and green sugar or very finely grated dark chocolate before assembling

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