Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup (180ml) boiling water
  • 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green gel food coloring
  • 6 oz (170g) dark chocolate, finely chopped (at least 70% cocoa)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
  • Edible dirt (crushed Oreo cookies) (optional)
  • Candy eyeballs (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cupcake Batter: Whisk dry ingredients, combine wet ingredients, then gradually incorporate the dry into the wet. Finally, add boiling water (batter will be thin).
  2. Bake the Cupcakes: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. Temper the Chocolate (for trees): Melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, ensuring it doesn't burn. Bring the chocolate to around 115 degrees F (46 C), then cool it down and bring it back up to 90 degrees F (32 C).
  4. Create the Chocolate Trees: Fill a piping bag with tempered chocolate. On a sheet of parchment paper, pipe out branch-like structures. Consider using a reference image for inspiration. Sprinkle with sea salt.
  5. Chill the Chocolate Trees: Place the parchment paper with the chocolate trees into the freezer until they are firm (about 15-20 minutes).
  6. Make the Green Buttercream: Beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream and vanilla. Tint with green food coloring.
  7. Frost the Cupcakes: Pipe a generous swirl of green buttercream onto each cooled cupcake.
  8. Assemble the Haunted Forest: Gently insert chocolate trees into the frosting of each cupcake.
  9. Decorate (Optional): Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles, edible dirt, and add candy eyeballs for extra spookiness.