Ingredients
1 package devil’s food cake mix (regular size)1/4 cup butter, softened3 ounces cream cheese, softened3 cups confectioners’ sugar2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon 2% milk, divided1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractRed and yellow liquid food coloring or orange paste food coloring1 tablespoon baking cocoaRound pastry tip #39 chocolate kisses9 semisweet chocolate chipsBlack shoestring licorice, cut into 3/4-inch pieces18 white nonpareils
Preparation
Prepare cake mix according to package directions.
Fill greased jumbo muffin cups with 1/2 cup batter. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Cut a thin slice off the top of each cupcake.
In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and vanilla; mix well. Remove 1 cup; tint orange and frost cupcakes. To the remaining frosting, add baking cocoa and remaining milk. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip. Fill with chocolate frosting. Pipe a web on each cupcake; set remaining frosting aside.
For spider, insert chocolate kiss, point side down, next to edge of cupcake. Insert chocolate chip, point side down, next to kiss. Place 4 licorice pieces on each side of kiss. For eyes, pipe 2 small circles of chocolate frosting on chocolate chip; insert nonpareils.
