Halloween Cupcakes

Happy Halloween!!
So this year I wanted to make something for Halloween and after a lot of thought I decided to keep it simple which these very cute and spooky cupcakes!! These cupcakes can be easily adapted to suit both gluten free and lactose intolerant diets. 

Prep – 20 mins

Cook – 15 mins

Ready in – 35 mins 

To make the cupcakes you will need:

• 100 grams self raising flour
• 100 grams caster sugar
• 100 grams unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking power 

To make the buttercream frosting you will need:

• 150 grams icing sugar
• 75 grams unsalted butter (at room temperature) 
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• Dr Oetker black gel food colouring 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas Mark 4. Line a 12 hole cupcake tin with paper cases (I used Halloween ones) 
2. Put the flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract into a large mixing bowl. 
3. Beat the mixture by hand or using an electric whisk until you get a creamy consistency. Spoon the mixture into the cases. 
4. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 
5. Leave to cool while you prepare the butter icing 
6. To make the buttercream, beat the butter in a medium sized mixing bowl until soft. Add half of the icing sugar and beat until smooth. 
7. Add the remaining icing sugar and one tablespoon of milk and beat the mixture until creamy and smooth. Beat in the milk and the vanilla extract. 
8. Then add a few drops of Dr Oetker black gel food colouring until you get a grey coloured buttercream. 
9. Once the cakes have cooled, use a pallets knife to top the cakes with the buttercream. You are looking to get a smooth top. 
10. I then got some white Royal icing, dying a third of it black and then made some Halloween themed icing decorations. These being a spider, a vampire, a skull, a mummy and jack the skeleton from nightmare before Christmas! 

So if your hosting a Halloween party these would be perfect! They are quick, easy and taste amazing! 

Hope you have a happy Halloween! 

Annie xx