Spooky Spider Cupcakes

• 1 (15.25- to 16.5-ounce) package dark chocolate cake mix
• 1/3 cup Land O Lakes Butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups chocolate milk or water
• 3 Land O Lakes Eggs
• 3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 6 to 8 tablespoons Land O Lakes Half & Half or Fat Free Half & Half
• Large black gumdrops or other candies
• Small gumdrops or other round candies
• Black sparkle decorator gel
• Black string licorice, cut into 2-inch pieces

1. Heat oven to 350F.
2. Place paper baking cups into 24 muffin pan cups; set aside.
3. Combine all cupcake ingredients except chocolate chips in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy; stir in chocolate chips.
4. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full.
5. Bake 17-19 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Cool completely.
7. Combine powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, corn syrup and vanilla in medium bowl.
8. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
9. Increase speed to high; beat, gradually adding enough half & half for desired frosting consistency.
10. Frost cupcakes.
11. Create spiders using large gumdrop for body and small gumdrop for head.
12. Make eyes with black decorator gel.
13. Create legs by inserting 4 licorice pieces on each side of large gumdrop.

chocolate cake, butter, chocolate milk, o lakes eggs, semisweet chocolate chips, powdered sugar, butter, light corn syrup, vanilla, black gumdrops, gumdrops, black sparkle decorator gel, black string licorice

Taken from www.landolakes.com/recipe/3652/spooky-spider-cupcakes (may not work)