Jack-o'-Lantern Cupcakes

These Jack-o-lantern cupcakes are oh-so-delicious. They will be the highlight of any Halloween party even if a goblin or two decide to show up.

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Cook Time: 22-25 min.

Ingredients:

• 1 box (18.25 oz.) favorite cake mix
• 1 can (16 oz.) plus 1/2 cup vanilla frosting
• Yellow and orange paste food coloring
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate frosting
  You’ll also need:
• Cupcake pans
• 24 cupcake liners
  

Kitchen tip:
Make sure that the frosting is at room temperature when you start to fill the icing bags. With this type of icing, you can fill the bags in advance of making the cupcakes to save time later. You and your child can practice your icing technique with a little frosting and a piece of cardboard or a cookie.

Directions:
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Kids can help prepare the cake mix according to the package directions and fill the cupcake liners. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Step 2:
Tint 1/2 cup of the frosting yellow and spoon into a resealable bag; set aside. Tint the remaining vanilla frosting orange. Frost the tops of the cupcakes with the orange frosting. Pipe the outline of the jack-o'-lantern faces with the chocolate frosting. (Parents may want to do this part.)

Step 3:
Heat the yellow frosting, in the bag, in the microwave for 2 to 3 seconds to soften slightly. Snip a small corner from the bag and fill in the outlines with the yellow frosting. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.