Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

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 vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 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'
• tart 'n' tiny candy

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. combine the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
• 2 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.
• 3 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 frosting.
• 4 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.