Maple Pumpkin Halloween Cupcakes

For the cupcakes

• 75 g softened unsalted butter
• 75 g maple sugar
• 2 eggs
• 75 g plain flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp sultanas
• 1 tbsp chopped pecans

For the icing

• 125 g butter
• 2 tbsp milk
• 250 g maple sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp orange food colouring

cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a 12-cupcake tray with cases.
2. Using an electric whisk, beat the softened butter and maple sugar together until pale and fluffy, then whisk in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
3. Add the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, whisk until just combined, then add the sultanas and chopped pecans.
4. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases.
5. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

icing

1. Cream together the butter and maple sugar.
2. Add the milk, orange food colouring, and vanilla extract.
3. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.

To decorate

1. Pipe the buttercream onto the cupcakes and decorate with Halloween decorations.
2. Using black fondant icing and Halloween cutters, create eyes, mouths, and spider legs to decorate the cupcakes.