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) boiling water
  • 3 large eggs
  • 8 ounces (225g) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (good quality!)
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces (115g) white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly (use candy melts for easier handling)
  • Assorted creepy crawly candies (gummy worms, spiders, etc.)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and eggs.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the boiling water, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  5. Fill each liner about 2/3 full.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl.
  9. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
  10. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a minute to soften the chocolate.
  11. Add butter and whisk until smooth and glossy.
  12. Let the ganache cool slightly and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or until it reaches a spreadable consistency.
  13. Spread the chilled ganache evenly over the cooled cupcakes.
  14. Transfer the melted white chocolate to a piping bag or Ziploc bag with a very small hole cut in the corner.
  15. Pipe concentric circles of white chocolate on top of each cupcake, starting from the center and working outwards.
  16. Use a toothpick or skewer to drag lines from the center of the cupcake to the edge, creating a spiderweb effect.
  17. Place your creepy crawly candies on top of the spiderweb design.
  18. Serve and Enjoy!