It’s nearly Halloween which means sweets galore! Although I think homemade treats are the best and with today’s recipe from Rachel’s Organics you can enjoy wonderful homemade Spider Cupcakes with a creepy twist.

Ingredients

100g plain chocolate

150g unsalted butter, softened

150g caster sugar

20g cocoa, sifted

3 eggs, beaten

125g self raising flour

1 ½tsp baking powder

2 tbsp Rachel’s Greek Style natural yogurt

Ingredients for Frosting

4tbsp golden syrup

80ml double cream

100g milk chocolate

100g plain chocolate

3tbsp Rachel’s Greek Style natural yogurt

Decorations

Chocolate sugar strands

Smarties or similar sweets (for the eyes)

Liquorice laces or Catherine wheels

Step 1. Pre-heat the oven 180°C, Gas Mark 4 and line a muffin tray with paper cases.

2. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and microwave on medium power for 1 minute until melted, alternatively place over a pan of simmering water.

3. In a mixing bowl beat the butter, caster sugar, cocoa powder and eggs, until soft and creamy. Add the flour and baking powder. Lastly add in the yogurt ensure the mixture is well combined.

4. Spoon the mixture into the cases and bake for 20 minutes until risen and firm to touch. Leave to cool.

5. Meanwhile in a small bowl gently heat the icing ingredients (except the yogurt). Either do this in a microwave, medium power or over a pan of simmering water until the chocolate has melted, leave to cool then add the yogurt. The frosting should be soft but not runny.

6. Spoon the frosting onto each cake and carefully spread with the back of a knife. Dip each cake into  chocolate sugar strands then place the Smarties for eyes, cut the liquorice laces into 8 equal pieces and push into the icing – work quickly before the frosting sets. To make the eyes stand out and a mouth simply place some of the frosting in a piping bag with a small plain nozzle and pipe for the desired effect.