Witch Cupcakes

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and place black paper liners in a 12-cup muffin pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt with a whisk. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream 6 tablespoons of butter, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy (around 3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
3. Lower the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture and milk in alternating batches, mixing only until combined. Portion the batter into the lined cups (roughly 1/4 cup per cup) and bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then move to a wire rack to finish cooling.
4. While the cupcakes cool, prepare the witch hats. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice off 3 inches from the pointed end of each sugar cone. Arrange the chocolate wafer cookies on the rack. Melt the bittersweet chocolate chips in the microwave following the package instructions. Working with one cone at a time, hold it over the bowl of melted chocolate and spoon chocolate over it to coat evenly, then place it onto a chocolate wafer. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate so it covers the wafer, adding more chocolate if needed.
5. While the hats are setting, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, use the electric mixer to combine the confectioners' sugar, the remaining 1 1/4 cups of butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add green food coloring to achieve the desired shade.
6. To assemble the witches, spread a thin layer of green frosting on each cupcake, place a mini doughnut on top, then frost the doughnut entirely (using about 3 tablespoons of frosting per cupcake). Insert white jelly beans cut-side down into the frosting to form eyes. Cut each sour apple taffy into four pieces, shape them into noses, and press them under the eyes. Use brown decorating frosting to pipe pupils onto the jelly beans and to make eyebrows above them. Use red frosting to pipe a mouth. Break shredded wheat biscuits into small strands and place them on top of the doughnuts to resemble hair.