Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

FROSTING

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• black paste food coloring
• orange and black M&M's
• tart 'n' tiny candies

Directions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Combine the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

2. 2

   Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

3. 3

   In a bowl, cream the shortening, butter and confectioners' sugar. Stir in water and extracts. Remove 1/2 cup frosting to a small bowl; tint with black food coloring. Frost cupcakes with remaining white frosting.

4. 4

   Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag. Insert a small round #5 tip; fill bag with black frosting. Decorate cupcakes with black frosting and candies as desired. Yield: 2 dozen.