What you need: Makes 12 cupcakes
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp instant coffee powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup warm water
Whisk the butter and sugar until creamy. Add in the eggs one at a time and beat them until light and fluffy. Combine baking powder, salt , cocoa powder and flour in a bowl, and whisk or sift them all together. Combine coffee powder and warm water together.
Add the flour mixture in little batches, alternating with the coffee and beating until just combined. Finally add in the vanilla. Pour them into paper cups about 3/4ths full.
Bake them at 350 degree F for 17-20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove and let them cool completely.
Chocolate frosting:
What you need: Frosts 12 cupcakes
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/8 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Decorating:
Mini pretzel sticks for spider legs
1 cup chocolate jimmies
Gummies or titbits for the eyes
Using an electric mixer on low speed, whip the butter, milk and vanilla quickly until it is combined.
Add in the sugar gradually on low speed. Once its all in there, cream on high for a minute. Using a spatula, give it one or two quick stirs. That's it. You overdo it, and your cream will fall apart, curdling the milk. Spread it on the cupcakes. Dunk them face down into a bowl of jimmies. Add the eyes and pretzel spider legs. Enjoy!