Chili-Chocolate Spider Cupcakes Recipe

By
Yvonne Ruperti
A photo of Yvonne Ruperti, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Yvonne Ruperti
Yvonne Ruperti is a food writer, recipe developer, former bakery owner, and cookbook author. She is also an adjust professor of baking at the Culinary Institute of America in Singapore.
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Updated May 15, 2019
Yvonne Ruperti

A parade of chili-chocolate ganache spiders have got enough kick for a serious bite.

Notes: Sift cocoa if lumpy. This batter makes a tad more than might fit in a standard cupcake cup. Use big liners, or fill normal sized cupcake cups to 3/4 full and bake extra cupcakes if desired. A scoop or spoons can be used to portion the chili ganache instead of a pastry bag. Don't chill ganache balls too firm or you'll have trouble sticking in the legs.

Recipe Details

Chili-Chocolate Spider Cupcakes Recipe

Active 60 mins
Total 0 mins
Serves 12 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • For the Cupcakes:
  • 1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (1 1/2 ounces) cocoa powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (1 3/4 ounces) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For the Green Ganache:
  • 4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • A few drops green food coloring
  • For the Chili Ganache Spiders:
  • 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup chocolate sprinkles
  • Licorice or sour candy strings
  • Sour candy for the eyes
  • Slivered almonds for the fangs

Directions

  1. For the Cupcakes: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin tin with cupcake liners. In medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt to combine; set aside. In large bowl, whisk sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla to combine.

  2. Whisk dry ingredients into we until batter is smooth. Fill cupcake cups 3/4 full and bake until firm to the touch and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 19 minutes. Let cupcakes cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

  3. For the Green Ganache: Heat white chocolate and cream in medium bowl in microwave or over pan of barely simmering water, stirring, until mixture is melted and smooth. Chill until firm enough to frost, about 30 minutes, Stir in green coloring to desired shade.

  4. For the Chili Ganache: Heat bittersweet chocolate, cream, and chili flakes (if using), stirring, until mixture is melted and smooth. Adjust to taste with more chili if desired. Chill until firm enough to scoop, about 1 hour. Fill pastry bag fitted with large plain tip with ganache and pipe 12 round balls (1 per cupcake). Chill until just firm enough to handle, about 30 minutes.

  5. Assemble Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with green ganache. Roll chili ganache balls in sprinkles and place on cupcakes. Cut legs out of licorice sticks and stick into spider. Secure the eyes with dabs of extra chocolate ganache. Stick almond fangs into mouth. Serve.

Special equipment

muffin pan, pastry bag fitted with plain tip

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