Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes

The Daycare Lady's Note:

These special cupcakes, decorated with bats, black cats, webs and ghosts, disappeared fast!—Barb Schlafer, Appleton, Wisconsin From Taste Of Home 2005

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 35 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 2.0 dozen c ...

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ½ 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

• ½ cup shortening
• ½ cup butter , softened
• 4 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄8; teaspoon almond extract
• black paste food coloring
• orange and black M&M'
• tart 'n' tiny candy

Directions:

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 white 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.