We all see Halloween as a chance to go over the top and be creative with our outfits and there’s no reason the same can’t apply to your baking! So why not create these delicious, Halloween themed cupcakes? If you’re planning a get together they’re the perfect treat for guests, or alternatively, it’s the perfect way to have fun with your flatmates. You can be as creative as you want by adding various food colourings to your icing; but I’m going to show you a simple and cheap recipe which still tastes and looks just as good.
Ingredients list:
120g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1 ½ tea spoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
40g unsalted butter
120ml whole milk
1 egg
¼ tea spoon vanilla extract
12 holed cupcake tray
Icing mix:
250g icing sugar sieved into bowl
80g unsalted butter
25ml whole milk
Couple of drops of vanilla extract
Baking the cakes:
Preheat oven to 170 degrees C/325F (gas 3), put the flour, sugar, baking powder, a pinch of salt and butter in a mixing bowl. Mix until the consistency is fluffy and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until mixed. Whisk the egg, vanilla extract and remaining milk together in a separate bowl, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated. Continue mixing for a couple more minutes until the blend is smooth. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until 2/3rds full and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a light golden colour. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before putting them onto a wire cooling rack, when they are no longer hot, spoon the vanilla frosting on top.
Making the icing:
Beat the icing sugar and butter together until mixed. Combine milk and vanilla extract in a separate bowl, then add to the butter mixture, a couple of table spoons at a time. Once all the milk has been incorporated continue beating for at least 5 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Spider:
Simply spread a layer of white icing over the cupcake, making sure there is no sponge showing through. For the body and head place two chocolate drops in the centre of the cupcake. For the spiders legs you could use either black liquorice or red strawberry laces (everyone’s childhood favourite), cut your desired choice into eight pieces (about 1-2 inches long) and then place them around the body. To finish place two dabs of vanilla icing on the head to create eyes.
Ghost:
Probably the easiest – all you need is white icing for the base with two red M&Ms on top for the eyes and a black one for a mouth.
Monster:
Add green food colouring to your white icing for the base, use small pieces of liquorice for hair and a beard and any type of small sweets for the eyes, nose and mouth. If you want to be a bit more adventurous and use traditional Halloween colours, simply mix equal portions of blue, yellow and red food colouring to create black, red, yellow to create orange.