Halloween Themed Desserts: Ghostly Cupcakes, Chocolate Spider Cookies, and Haunted House Cake

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• Black and white candy eyes
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup pretzel sticks
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup milk
• Gummy candies
• Chocolate-covered graham crackers
• Royal icing

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
4. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
7. For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, gradually adding powdered sugar and mixing until fluffy.
8. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract to the frosting and mix until smooth.
9. Frost the cooled cupcakes and decorate with candy eyes.
10. For the Chocolate Spider Cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
11. Cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
12. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
13. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
14. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, then stir in chocolate chips.
15. Drop dough onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
16. Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
17. Insert pretzel sticks for spider legs and drizzle melted chocolate on top for eyes.
18. For the Haunted House Cake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
19. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
20. Add eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
21. Stir in boiling water carefully and pour into prepared pans.
22. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
23. For the frosting, beat butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and mix until smooth.
24. Frost the top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake.
25. Decorate with gummy candies and chocolate-covered graham crackers.