Halloween Dirt Cupcakes

Ingredients

For The Chocolate Cupcakes

• ¾ cup (90g) all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup (65g) cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (78ml) vegetable oil
• ½ cup 120ml milk at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

For The Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

• ¼ cup milk chocolate chips
• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter softened
• 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
• pinch salt
• ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder

Decorations

• 10-12 oreos
• 1 package gummy worms

Instructions

Make Chocolate Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
2. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt).
3. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs with sugar, oil, milk and vanilla extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisk until they’re incorporated but do not over mix.
5. Fill the cupcake liners ¾ of the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of a cupcake. Allow cupcakes to cool down in the pan. Be sure they are completely cooled before frosting and decorating.

Make Chocolate Frosting

1. Add the chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. If needed, microwave again for 15 seconds and stir. Continue with 15 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth.
2. Use a handheld mixer and a large mixing bowl, or your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Cream together the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Then add the melted chocolate and mix to combine.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then gradually add the cocoa powder, mixing well between each addition. Lastly, mix in the vanilla extract and salt, and set the frosting aside.

Decorate

1. Add Oreo cookies to a food processer and pulse until you get fine crumbs that look like dirt. You can also crush the cookies using a ziplock bag and a rolling pin or other heavy object.
2. When the cupcakes are fully cooled, you can decorate! Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with the frosting. Pipe a swirl on each cupcake, then sprinkle with 1 or 2 spoonfuls of Oreo crumbs. Have fun arranging gummy worms on top.