Spooky Spiderweb Chocolate Cupcakes

Just in time for Halloween!  These are super easy and quick cupcakes to decorate and a perfect touch to any Halloween party.

To start prepare cupcakes according to box directions or follow this homemade cupcake recipe.

2 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsps of baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 cup hot water
2/3 cup of unsweetened baking cocoa
3/4 cup of shortening
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place 24 paper cups into muffin tins.

2.  In medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.  Set aside.  In small bowl, mix hot water and cocoa until dissolved.  Set aside.

3.  In large bowl, beat shortening with electric mixer for 30 seconds.  Gradually add sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat additional 2 minutes.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  Beat in vanilla.  On low speed, alternately add flour mixture and cocoa mixture, separating them into about 3 parts each.  Beat until just blended.

4.  Using a cookie scoop, divide batter into cups, filling about 2/3 full.

5.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.  Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

To make the vanilla buttercream frosting, you will need:

2/3 cups butter softened
2-3 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1-2 tbls milk

1.  Beat butter until light and fluffy.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar in batches.  Add vanilla.

If runny, add more powdered sugar.
If too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time.  Adjust until desired consistency.

To make spiderweb cupcakes, you will need:

1 tube of black gel icing.

Spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes.  Draw three circles on cupcakes with gel icing resembling a bulls-eye.  Using a toothpick, start at the center and gently pull toothpick outward.  Repeat 7 times.