This super-easy decorating idea transforms simple cupcakes into leggy, chocolatey spiders fit to spin some seriously tasty magic for a Halloween treat!

Ingredients:

• 125g room-temperature butter
• 125g light brown sugar
• 110g self-raising flour
• 1½ tsp cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp grated orange zest
• 50g plain chocolate chips
• 3 to 4 tbsp ready-to-eat chocolate buttercream
• Chocolate strands or sprinkles
• Chocolate sticks
• 50g plain chocolate
• Liquorice pieces

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4/Fan 160°C. Place 10 paper cases in a muffin tray.

Step 2: Cupcake Batter

1. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
2. Sift flour and cocoa powder in a separate bowl.
3. Add eggs to the butter mixture gradually, mixing in 1 tbsp of the flour mixture midway.
4. Incorporate orange zest, the remaining flour mix, and chocolate chips.

Step 3: Bake

1. Fill each muffin case two-thirds full.
2. Bake for 20-22 minutes.
3. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Step 4: Frosting

1. When cupcakes are cool, spread a little chocolate buttercream on each.
2. Sprinkle with chocolate strands or sprinkles.

Step 5: Spider Legs

1. Line baking trays with greaseproof paper.
2. Cut a quarter of the chocolate sticks in half.
3. Melt plain chocolate, dip one end of each longer stick in chocolate, and attach to shorter sticks at an angle to create spider legs. Allow to set on trays.

Step 6: Assemble Spiders

1. Once set, insert the short end of the legs into the spider’s body, four on each side.
2. Attach round liquorice allsorts on the spider’s body to make eyes. Enjoy your spooky spider cupcakes!