Zombie Brain Cupcakes

Directions

1. Set your oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the buttermilk, oil, beaten egg, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth. Pour in the boiling water and whisk until fully combined.
3. Fill each liner with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of batter, which should come about two-thirds up the sides.
4. Bake the cupcakes until they have risen and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 18 to 20 minutes. Let them cool completely, roughly 1 hour.
5. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or using an electric mixer), beat the powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt on medium-high speed until the frosting is bright white and very smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the green food coloring and beat until well incorporated, adding more drops if needed. Transfer the frosting to a large piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
6. Pipe a small mound (about the size of a quarter) on top of each cupcake. Then pipe two straight vertical lines side by side down the middle of each cupcake. Pipe squiggly lines on either side to resemble a brain.
7. Drizzle a small amount of red decorating gel onto each cupcake, letting it settle into the creases of the brain. Refrigerate the cupcakes if not serving right away.