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spider web cupcakes recipe

Spider Web Cupcakes

These spooky spider web cupcakes combine convenience with serious visual impact for Halloween. The dramatic contrast between dark chocolate webs and white frosting creates a show-stopping treat that's surprisingly simple to make. Perfect for parties, these creepy-cute creations will impress guests without requiring advanced decorating skills.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • Ingredients called for on cake mix box (typically eggs, oil, and water)
  • 1 tub vanilla frosting or 3 cups homemade
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips or melting wafers
  • ½ teaspoon neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil
  • Mini chocolate candies or malted milk balls optional, for spiders
  • 24 cupcake liners

Equipment

  • Muffin tins
  • Piping bag
  • Toothpicks

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two standard muffin tins with paper liners.
  2. Prepare chocolate cake mix according to package directions, typically using eggs, oil, and water.
  3. Divide batter among 24 cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  4. Bake for 18-22 minutes until tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  6. Once cupcakes have cooled, swirl vanilla frosting on top using a piping bag with a round tip for the smoothest surface.
  7. Chill frosted cupcakes for about 10 minutes to help the chocolate web design set more neatly.
  8. While cupcakes chill, melt chocolate chips or wafers with neutral oil in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 15-20 second intervals and stirring between until smooth.
  9. Transfer melted chocolate to a zip-top bag or piping bag and snip a tiny tip.
  10. Pipe 3-4 concentric circles on each cupcake.
  11. Immediately drag a toothpick from the center to the edge (wiping the tip between pulls) to create 6-8 "spokes" that transform the circles into a web pattern.
  12. Optional: Place a mini chocolate candy in the center as a spider body, pipe a small dot for the head, and draw 8 thin chocolate legs.
  13. Allow the chocolate to firm up for 10-15 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

For smoother piping consistency with store-bought frosting, microwave the tub for just 5-8 seconds to loosen it up slightly.
These cupcakes can be customized with different frosting colors - try orange for classic Halloween vibes or purple for a mystical touch. White chocolate can be used for the web design if using darker colored frosting.
Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best appearance, add the chocolate web design the same day you plan to serve them.