Black Velvet Spider Cupcake

Yields 12 cupcakes
3/4 cup (170 grams) sugar
1/2 cup (118 ml) vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon black gel-paste food color
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
1 1/4 cups (125 grams) cake flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (118 ml) buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Line a cupcake tin with baking cups.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, vegetable oil, and egg until well combined. Beat in the black food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Gradually add in the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the buttermilk, stirring until batter is uniform and smooth.

Divide batter evenly between baking cups, filling about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool to room temperature before decorating.

To Turn the Cupcakes into Spiders You'll Need:
Red candy melts (or any other eye color of your choosing)
White dragees or pearls (for pupils)
Frosting, dyed black
Purple crystal (or sanding) sugar
Black string licorice (for legs)

Melt the candy melts and, using a small spoon, drop melted candy onto a piece of wax paper to form the eyes. Place white dragees onto eyes before they cool. Allow candy to completely cool and harden before removing from the wax paper.

Using an off-set spatula, spread black frosting onto cupcakes to form a dome shape. Sprinkle cupcakes with purple sugar until fully covered. Press eyes onto the front of the cupcakes. Push black licorice strings into the base of the frosting to form the legs (I used spider cupcake holders so I did not do this step in the photos above, but the black licorice will give you a similar result).