Chocolate Owl Cupcakes.

Aren't these the cutest cupcakes you have ever seen? They are also perfect for halloween or anytime in the fall! I saw this idea on pinterest and I decided to recreate them.  In our family when we had birthday cakes or any kind of cake we always used a box. I wanted to venture out and make them from scratch! They actually turned out really good! But I decided to be lame and I bought the frosting... lame I know. But that is besides the fact! So never making a cake or cupcakes from scratch I didn't know what ingredients went in to making a cake.  I figured the usual, you know eggs, sugar, flour, etc.  Yes it does incorporate those, but there were many recipes that looked delicious that had buttermilk, half and half, sour cream, etc.  No, I don't have those in my wonderful college kitchen.  So my search for a recipe was hard.  But I found one! And it turned out delicious! Obviously if you have a favorite chocolate cupcake recipe or want to use a box go for it! But if not then this recipe definitely will have everything you have in your pantry!

Chocolate Owl Cupcakes.
{Cupcake recipe is from Joy of Baking}
{Preheat oven to 375} {line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.} {makes about 24}

Cupcakes:
1/2 cup Cocoa
1 cup boiling hot water
1 1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter {room temp.}
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla


In a small bowl combine boiling water and cocoa.  Mix with a fork until smooth. Let sit and cool.
In another small bowl sift flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine butter and sugar.  Mix. 
Add eggs one at a time mixing in between each.
Mix in the vanilla until combined.
Mix in the flour mixture just until combined.
Mix in the cooled chocolate mixture until smooth and combined.


Fill cupcake liners 1/2-2/3 way full with batter and bake for 12-16 min.  Insert toothpick to make sure they are done. Toothpick should come out clean.  {Don't over bake or the cupcakes will be dry.}  Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

Frosting/Oreos:

1 can of chocolate frosting {or make your own.}
1 oreos for each cupcake.
3 M&M's {or Reeses Pieces.} for each cupcake.


Frost each cupcake by spreading frosting with a knife.  

Then split oreos.  Make sure both sides have equal amounts of cream.  Or just use the creamed side and eat the other side and split another oreo!  Place the M&Ms on the split oreos and place the oreos on the cupcakes. Put one more M&M in the middle as a beak!

Take a picture right away because you and I both know your 

hard work and cute cupcakes won't last very long!

{These cute cupcakes were brought to you by Brooke.}