Spooky Spider Caramel Cupcakes October 31, 2013

They don’t bite, but watch out for these rare red-legged spiders.

 

 

Cupcake Ingredients

 

110g butter, room temperature

120g light brown soft sugar

120g dark brown soft sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

125g self raising flour

120g plain flour

75ml caramel sauce

50ml double cream

 

Method

 

Pre heat oven to 180c/gas 4 and line a muffin tin with paper cases.

Cream the butter and sugars until pale and smooth, this will take a few minutes. A the eggs, one at a time, mixing for a few minutes after each addition. Add the vanilla extract.

Combine the two flours in a seperate bowl. Add one-third of the flours to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add the caramel sauce and beat well. Add another third of the flours and beat until it just comes together. Add the double cream and again beat well. Add the remaining flour and beat well again.

Spoon into paper cases, filling them to about two-thirds full. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until slightly raised and golden brown. Leave in the tin for 10 minutes after taking out of the oven before transferring to a cooling rack.

 

 

Spider Legs

 

I used Strawberry Laces but if you can find them you could also use Liquorice Catherine Wheels.

Cut them into 3″ lengths (remembering that spiders have 8 legs 😉 )

Make 8 small cuts into each cake (for legs) and stick in the liquorice pieces in place.

 

 

Caramel Buttercream Ingredients

 

60g butter, room temperature

6 Tbsp milk, room temperature

220g light brown soft sugar

240g icing sugar, sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 

Method

 

Place the butter, milk and brown sugar in a saucepan over a high heat and stir to combine. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously, and allow it to boil for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat and stir in half the icing sugar. Leave to cool slightlyy, then add the remainder of the icing sugar and vanilla extract and stir until it thickens.

Spread the buttercream over the tops of the cupcakes.

Using liquorice allsorts for eyes, put them in place. If the buttercream has hardened, use a little chocolate spread to attach them.

Using Orange & Lemon Flavoured Slices , cut them to form the mouth, and attach them in the same way as the eyes.