How to bake simple chocolate Hallowe’en cupcakes

These cupcakes are easy to make and delicious. Keep them for you and your kids or give them away as treats on Hallowe’en as something different.

Ingredients

120g softened butter

120g sugar

120g self raising flour

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For the icing

60g softened butter

2 tablespoons sifted cocoa powder

250-300g icing sugar

1-2 tablespoons milk

For decorations

Chocolate sprinkles

Writing icing in colours white, green and red.

(Alternatively you can use a marshmallow with a green smartie/M&M in the centre for eyes and red smarties/M&Ms to make a mouth!)

Instructions for cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C.

2. In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy then stir in the vanilla essence.

3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. Add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and beat well. Scrape down edges of bowl and beat again.

5. Fill cupcake cases to about half/three-quarters full.

6. Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes. To check if cupcake is cooked, take a small sharp knife and pierce through the centre. If the knife comes out clean they are done.

7. Leave to cool before frosting.

To make the icing

Whip butter and cocoa together until smooth. Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Slowly stream in milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Scrape sides and whip again until light, fluffy and smooth.

Frost when the cupcakes are cool enough that the icing will not melt.

To decorate

Put chocolate sprinkles into a bowl and rub frosted cupcakes in sprinkles.

Draw on eyes and mouth using writing icing.