Win the Halloween Bake-off with These Super-Cute Spider Cupcakes

Want to make a cute Halloween treat that doesn't require an advanced degree in crafting? These fun cupcakes are it! All you need is licorice rope, Oreos, and candy googly eyes, and you can perch the sweetest little cookie spider on top of a pillow of frosting.

They're easy to make, look great, and they'll simply fly off the platter at the Halloween party or bake sale.

Yields: 24 servings

Prep Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

• 2 c.

  all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 1 c.

  unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 c.

  granulated sugar

• 1 tsp.

  baking soda

• 1 tsp.

  baking powder

• 1 tsp.

  kosher salt

• 2

  large eggs

• 1 tsp.

  pure vanilla extract

• 1 c.

  sour cream

• 1/2 c.

  canola oil

• 1 tsp.

  white vinegar

• 1 c.

  hot water

For the Vanilla Buttercream

• 1 c.

  (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 4 c.

  confectioners’ sugar

• 1 tsp.

  pure vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp.

  heavy cream or whole milk

• Small candy googly eyes

• 24

  Cream-filled chocolate cookies (such as Oreos)

• 2 oz.

  Chocolate chips, melted

• 32

  1-foot ropes of black licorice, cut into 2-inch "legs" (about 4 to 5 oz)

Directions

1. Make the Chocolate Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two standard 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners. Combine flour, cocoa, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add eggs, vanilla, sour cream, oil, vinegar, and 1 cup hot water and stir until smooth.

2. Transfer to prepared pans, dividing evenly (each cup should be about two-thirds full). Bake, until a toothpick inserted into the center of one cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack, 15 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.

3. Make the Vanilla Buttercream: Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and cream or milk. Beat for 1 minute.

4. Attach candy googly eyes to cookies with a dab of melted chocolate; let set. Frost cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream. Place one cookie on top of each cupcake. Insert four licorice pieces into the frosting on each side of the cookie. Store covered, at room temperature, for 2 to 3 days.

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