Creepcakes
- 12 each standard and mini cupcakes, such as Yellow Buttermilk (page 26) or One-Bowl Chocolate (page 152)
- Swiss Meringue Buttercream (page 304)
- Leaf-green, lemon-yellow, forest-green, and black gel-paste food colors
- Assorted candies (see page 230)
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted (optional; see page 323)
- Tint buttercream desired color with gel-paste food color.
- For the bright green used on some of the cupcakes (opposite), use a mixture of leaf-green and lemon-yellow.
- Use forest-green for others.
- For a few of the creatures on page 231, mix in a small amount of black food color to make a gray color; leave some buttercream untinted for white.
- Make the candy features as shown on page 230.
- Using an offset spatula, spread cupcakes with plain or tinted buttercreams, as desired.
- To create the split and filled aliens (opposite), use a serrated knife (and a gentle sawing motion) to slice off the top of the cupcake (reserve top), then spread buttercream generously over bottom part and replace tops (leave unfrosted).
- To finish, attach candy features to frosted (or filled) cupcakes.
- Cupcakes are best eaten the day they are decorated; keep at room temperature until ready to serve.
- Use marshmallows (sliced rounds or minis) for whites, or cast an eerie glow with colored jelly beans and gumdrops.
- Make pupils with painted dots of melted chocolate, by pressing candy-coated chocolates to the sticky sides of marshmallows, or with licorice lace pieces.
- For antennae eyes, push mini chocolate chips, tips down, into mini marshmallows, then make holes underneath (with a toothpick) and insert a licorice lace into each.
- Half-moon shapes cut from sour belt candies make droopy eyelids.
- Cut mini marshmallows into pieces to resemble fangs.
- Bend licorice laces or gummy rings into mouths; use mini marshmallows or white jelly beans (whole or cut) for teeth.
- Cut taffy tape into tongues, fangs, or tentacles.
- Halve red gumdrops and turn on their sides for lips.
cupcakes, swiss meringue buttercream, colors, chocolate chips
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/creepcakes-389971 (may not work)