Mickey Mouse Halloween Pumpkin Cupcakes

Directions

1. Combine the cake mix, oil, and milk. Beat on low for 30 seconds, then on medium-high for 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, place 3 tablespoons of batter into each liner.
3. Bake at 350°F for 14 to 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Beat in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt until combined.
6. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
7. Check the consistency; if needed, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to reach a spreadable texture.
8. Fit a piping bag with a large star tip and fill with orange buttercream. Swirl the frosting onto a cupcake like a soft-serve cone. Press an upside-down chocolate chip into the top for the stem.
9. In a smaller piping bag, attach a coupler and a leaf tip. Fill with green buttercream. Hold the tip near the chocolate chip, squeeze out some green frosting, then pull back while releasing pressure to form a leaf.
10. Attach two orange candy melts to the sides of the frosting to represent Mickey's ears.
11. Using an angled spatula, spread a thin layer of white vanilla buttercream over the entire top of a cupcake.
12. Fit a piping bag with a coupler and a flat tip, fill with white buttercream, and pipe horizontal lines across the cupcake, leaving a gap for the eyes.
13. Place two candy eyes in the gap, and press two black candy melts into the white frosting to form Mickey's ears.
14. Fit three large piping bags with large star tips. Fill one with orange, one with yellow, and one with white buttercream.
15. Pipe a large circle of yellow frosting around the perimeter of a cupcake, filling in the center as well.
16. Pipe a slightly smaller circle of orange buttercream on top of the yellow circle.
17. Hold the piping bag with white frosting over the cupcake, squeeze, and pull up while releasing to create a star.
18. Place two orange candy melts on the sides of the cupcake for Mickey's ears.
19. Fit a large piping bag with a large round tip and fill with white vanilla buttercream.
20. Swirl the frosting around a cupcake in a circular motion, like a soft-serve cone.
21. Press two mini chocolate chips into the frosting for eyes, pointed sides in, and one standard chocolate chip for the mouth.
22. Press two black candy melts into the frosting to form Mickey's ears.