Cool Halloween Cupcakes

These Spider Halloween cupcakes are actually pretty easy to make. And so much fun to eat! 

Bake up a batch of your favorite recipe cupcakes. ( Or go to the store and buy some - I won't tell! )

Frost the tops of the cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

Add chocolate sprinkles to the tops.

Make the spider eyes using peppermint candies with another candy for the pupil - such as red jelly beans, half red sour balls, red cherries, half of a red lollipop....you get the idea.

The spider's smile can be made from a piece of licorice - and use 8 black pieces of licorice for the legs. Add two short pieces of the black licorice for the pinchers.

An orange M&M or Skittles candy works well for the nose.

Are these perfect for classroom parties this Halloween or what??

Recipe comes from Better Homes and Gardens.

Vegan Cupcake Recipe: Chocolate Chai Tea Cupcakes

Looking for a healthier cupcake recipe that you can eat without feeling guilty? Try these awesomely delicious Vegan Chocolate Chai Tea cupcakes - you are in for a treat (even if you are not on a vegan diet!)

Vegan Chocolate Chai Tea Cupcakes (from Koko's Kitchen )

INGREDIENTS

For the cupcakes:
1 c. almond milk
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/3 c. vegetable oil
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt



For the frosting:
1/2 c. Earth Balance vegan margarine (or butter)
3-4 c. powdered sugar
2 chai tea bags
2 tbsp. boiling water
2 tbsp. almond milk
1/4 tsp. salt

DIRECTIONS

For the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the vinegar with the almond milk and let sit for five minutes. Whisk together the almond milk/vinegar, oil, sugar and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add wet to dry and mix until combined. Pour batter into greased cupcake molds and bake for 25 minutes, or until springy. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

Beat the Earth Balance until soft. Brew the tea in the two tablespoons of boiling water and let sit for ten minutes to steep. Then, add the almond milk. Add that mixture, plus the powdered sugar and cinnamon to the earth balance and continue to beat for 10 minutes until very light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes.

Makes 12 cupcakes.

Decadent Coffee Cupcake Recipe

What could be better than a cup of coffee in the morning? A coffee cupcake of course! Combining my absolute favorite flavors, chocolate and coffee, this is a cupcake recipe that deserves to be treasured and devoured (at least once a month!)

Chocolate coffee cupcakes with mocha ganache and mascarpone cream (from Spoonfulblog.com)
(Recipe By Daniel Boulud)

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup instant coffee powder
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter -- at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup coffee beans -- crushed
8 ounces milk chocolate -- finely chopped
2 cups mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar -- sifted

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 30 standard muffin cups with paper liners.

Combine the milk, cocoa, coffee and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, constantly whisking, until the cocoa and coffee have dissolved. Let cool and pour into a liquid measure.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk mixture in three batches, ending with the liquid. Fill each muffin cup halfway with the batter. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.

To make the mocha ganache and mascarpone cream:

Combine 1 cup of the heavy cream and coffee beans in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat, cover, and let infuse for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean sauce-pan and bring back to a boil. Put the chocolate in a medium bowl and pour the hot cream over it, stirring slowly, until the ganache is smooth. Spoon enough ganache over each cupcake to fill the liners to the rim.

Using a whisk or in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream to stiff peaks. Add the mascarpone and confectioners sugar and whisk until smooth. Spoon the mascarpone cream into a pastry bag fitted with a medium round tip and pipe the cream on top of the ganache in a circle.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you have a wonderful day!!