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Dear $$firstname$$,
Greetings from the "Cupcake Crew" at Taste of Home! We hope you like this week's cupcake recipe.

To print the recipe, click on the recipe name or photo. Then select the size you want (Print this: 3x5, 4x6 or full page) within the Taste of Home Recipe Finder. Register your e-mail with Recipe Finder and you can also save your favorite cupcake recipes (and more) by choosing Add to My Recipe Box. Or select Add to My Grocery List or Rate This Recipe.
 
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Spooky Chocolate Cupcakes, decorated with bats, black cats and ghosts, are cute and easy to eat outdoors. You can also top these with designs for other fall or holiday themes.
—Barb Schlafer, Appleton, Wisconsin

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:

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

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.

In a mixing 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.

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

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 360 calories, 17 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 242 mg sodium, 51 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Editor’s Note: To print the recipe, click on the recipe name or photo. Then select the size you want (Print this: 3x5, 4x6 or full page) within the Taste of Home Recipe Finder.

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