A fun and simple to make Halloween cupcake by Cupcake Boutique, Clitheroe

Great British Life: Halloween CupcakesHalloween Cupcakes (Image: Archant)

Makes 12 Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the sponge:

110g/4oz butter

110g/4oz sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

110g/4oz self raising flour

1-2 tbsp milk

4 tbsp cocoa powder

For the frosting:

140g/5oz butter

280g/10oz icing sugar

1-2 tbsp milk

1-2 tsp orange extract

Orange gel food colour

For the topping:

Black fondant icing

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 and line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper cases.

Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy and pale. Gradually add the beaten eggs. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and fold into the mixture. Add the milk until the mixture is of dropping consistency.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases to half full and then bake for 10-15 minutes until springy to touch and skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Leave the cakes in the tin for about 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, beat the butter until it is soft and then sift in half the icing sugar and combine until smooth. Add the remaining icing sugar with the orange extract and one tablespoon of milk adding more milk if necessary to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Now stir in the gel food colouring a tiny toothpick amount at a time until the icing is a vibrant orange colour.

Once the cakes are cooled, the frosting can then be spread onto the cakes using a butter knife and a top to bottom motion to make the cakes appear pumpkin like.

Roll out the black icing and using a knife (children should be supervised), cut out 7 small triangles for each cake and then arrange them on the cupcakes to resemble eyes and a mouth. Repeat for each cake.

www.cupcaketreats.co.uk

cupcaketreats@hotmail.co.uk

tel: 01200 538698

@cbstylishtreats

This Halloween, Cupcake Boutique, supported by the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade is proud to be hosting a ‘Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt’ in the town. The event, aimed at children ages 5-11 will take place between 6pm and 8pm on the evening of 31st October.

Starting from the Cupcake Boutique shop in Swan Courtyard, children will collect their maps and proceed on a fun filled journey through Clitheroe. Maps will cost £2 per child, all proceeds going to Cancer Research. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The event will consist of:

A Treasure Hunt around Clitheroe

Children will be given a map of the town with the participating businesses marked and a card to track where they have been. They will then follow clues from one shop to another. A Halloween cupcake supplied by Cupcake Boutique will be secreted within each shops window display for the children to find and mark on their map. Shop owners will then mark the child’s card to indicate they have been to their shop and issue them with the next clue (to be provided by Cupcake Boutique). Prizes, supplied by Cupcake Boutique will be given to the children who complete the treasure hunt and find all the hidden cupcakes.

Trick or Treat

At each business on the map, the children will have the opportunity to collect sweets and trick or treat in safe environment.

Halloween Games

Traditional style games run by Cupcake Boutique and Candycopia will take place in Swan Courtyard. Each game will offer the opportunity to win prizes. There will be a small fee to play each game, proceeds to Cancer Research.

Ghost Stories

Local history and ghost expert Simon Entwistle of Top Hat Tours has generously provided some thrilling spooky stories to entertain the children to capture their imagination and ignite an interest in the history of Clitheroe. Stories to be read by Alex Trickett.

Fancy Dress Competition

The most innovative and scary costume will receive a Cupcake Boutique prize.

For more details contact Cupcake Boutique