Halloween is just around the corner and, although it’s a real American tradition, it’s being celebrated more and more in Australia. Some people have mixed feelings about Halloween but we love it and when the kids were younger, they used to enjoy having a little Halloween Party with their friends before heading out to trick or treat. We always accompanied them and usually only visited neighbours in the street who were willing to participate. It was always a lot of fun and the kids still have fond memories of those times.
So if you do decide to host your own Halloween Party, here’s a treat that’s perfect for the occasion. This is my favourite Chocolate Cupcake recipe which I’ve been baking for years and it really is the most delicious recipe that turns out perfectly every single time. I’ve used it as the base to create these fantastic Halloween Spider Cupcakes … perfect to serve at your little one’s Halloween Party … fun to make and even more fun to eat.
- ¾ cup cocoa powder (I used raw cacao)
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 250g butter, softened
- 2 cups caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 2 ½ cups self-raising flour (I used gluten-free)
- 300ml milk
- Icing
- ¾ cup icing sugar
- ⅛ cup cocoa powder (I used raw cacao)
- 25g butter, melted
- ½ – 1 tablespoon milk
- To create the Spider
- 2 white chocolate melts
- 2 milk chocolate chips
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Licorice strap
- Preheat oven to 160C and line 32 holes in 3 muffin trays with cupcake wrappers.
- Whisk cocoa and boiling water together in a small bowl until combined and smooth. Allow to cool.
- Beat butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy and light. Beat in eggs, one at a time until all combined. Add cocoa mixture and blend on a low speed until just combined. Add milk and blend on low speed until just combined. Finally, add self-raising flour and blend on low speed until just combined.
- Spoon mixture into cupcake wrappers and fill each one approximately two thirds.
- Bake cupcakes for approximately 25 minutes. Test by inserting a skewer in the middle, which should come out clean. Turn onto wire racks to cool.
- To make icing, blend all 4 ingredients together. Icing should be spreadable but not too thick.
- Spread cupcakes with icing then dip into chocolate sprinkles and refrigerate for 10 minutes until firm.
- Attach 2 large white chocolate melts to the top of the cupcake using a small amount of icing. On top of each white chocolate melt, attach one milk chocolate chip with a small amount of icing to create the spiders eyes.
- Cut a strip of licorice into a length approximately 4cm long and then cut into thin 8 strips.
- Using a skewer, poke 4 holes on each side of the cupcake on either side of the eyes and insert the licorice strips to create the spider’s legs.
So tell me, do you celebrate Halloween and if you were invited to a Halloween Party, what would you dress up as?
These are so cool. I wish we did get into Halloween more, a fun chance to dress up! Unfortunately this year’s Halloween falls on the same day as my thesis due date, a different kind of horror haha
We’ve always had a bit of fun with Halloween … the kids have loved it but now that they’re older we don’t celebrate quite so much. Good luck with your thesis … I’m sure it won’t be as “scary” as you think!
Those are the cutest spiders ever Sandie!
Thanks so much, Lorraine but they were really so easy! I’m hoping to try out some other Halloween recipes in the next few days so stay tuned!
What a great fun activity that you can do with the children. I know my family would love it.
These are perfect for the kids to make, especially the decorating! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh wow, what a great idea, these are fantastic!! What cute spiders and so much better than the real ones I have floating around my house…. somewhere….thanks for linking up!!
Yes I agree … I’d much rather one of these than a big, hairy Huntsman spider any day!
It’s so true that good or bad, Halloween is being celebrated more and more in Oz. Your chocolate spiders are so cute and just perfect for little trick or treaters xx
Hi Charlie, these were a lot of fun to make and perfect for anyone with small kids who like to celebrate Halloween with a party with friends. I prefer to hand out wrapped treats for anyone who knocks on the door as I think most Mums and Dads appreciate that is a bit safer!
These are very very cool! I know three little boys who would love these come halloween. xx
Guaranteed to be a hit at Halloween … hope the boys enjoy them x
Just wanted to say G’day ?
And your cupcakes are amazing, pinning for later Thanks!
You’re welcome … hope you enjoy them!
Thanks for sharing your recipe at the Say G’day Saturday Linky Party. I’ve just shared this on Pinterest/Facebook/Twitter.
Hope you can link up with us again this Saturday!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Thanks so much, Natasha … much appreciated!
Oh wow, how cute are those!! Might have to give them a go for Halloween, my girls would love them!
These were great Mandy because they were so easy and perfect for the kids to decorate … let me know how they go!
Oh these are just the cutest. My girls would love them. Might just have to try them next week. Visiting via #teamIBOT
Thanks Renee, glad you like them. I’ve got some more cute Halloween Recipes coming in the next couple of days … so stay tuned!
They are so cute!!!!
And so easy … so if you’re looking for some home made Halloween goodies, these are perfect!