This weekend while we were hunkered down awaiting Tropical Storm Karen (which will forever be lovingly referred to as “The Storm That Never Was”) the girls and I stayed home and did the Three C’s – cleaning, cooking, and crafting.   Since I had planned to be out of town until the storm threat, I had three entire days… UNSCHEDULED.  It was delightful.   With Halloween still on our minds from our Yummy Mummy Hotdogs and Healthy-ish Halloween Pot Pie, we ventured into the desserts category… making Easy M&M Spider Cupcakes that were almost too cute to eat…almost.

Easy M&M Spider Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• Chocolate Cake Mix box of choice plus ingredients required
• Cupcake frosting
• Orange food coloring
• Chocolate Sprinkles
• Large Marshmallows
• 1 cup Mini M&Ms
• Spider Cupcake Stands or Rope Licorice

Mix chocolate cake batter by instructions on the box.  Before dipping in to cupcake pans, gently fold in M&Ms, saving a few for the eyes.  Spoon in to lined cupcake pans and bake completely.  Let cool.  Cover with a thin layer of icing and generously sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles.  Cut large marshmallow in half, and press sticky-side-down into icing.  Using a drop of icing on each M&M, “glue” to each marshmallow to make an eyeball.  Finish by placing into Spider Cupcake Stands from Avon, or use rope licorice to make eight legs. Voila!

Now anyone that knows me, knows I am deathly afraid of spiders, but these little guys were too cute – and too delicious – to pass by. The M&Ms on the inside of the cupcake give it that extra kick of chocolate making these the best tasting cupcakes to come out of my kitchen in a long time.  The great part too is that they were easy enough to decorate that both girls got to help out.  There is no way to “mess up” and perfection does not count here, so this is a great craft for kids of all ages.

What kind of creepy deliciousness is coming out of your kitchen this year?