SPOOKY SPIDER

CUPCAKES

Prep Time: 20 minutes Bake Time: 20 minutes + cooling Yields: 1 dozen

1. In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Beat in the applesauce, vanilla and orange peel. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda, then gradually add to the creamed mixture until well combined. Stir in pecans.

2. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the centre comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. For frosting, in a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Add the orange peel, food colouring and enough orange juice to achieve spreading consistency. Set aside 1 / 4 cup orange frosting. Frost cupcakes.

4. Transfer chocolate frosting to a heavy-

duty resealable bag and cut a small hole in a corner of the bag. Pipe a circle of chocolate in the centre of each cupcake. Pipe evenly spaced thin concentric circles about 1 / 4 in. apart. Beginning with the centre circle, gently pull a toothpick through circles toward outer edge. Wipe toothpick clean. Repeat to complete web pattern.

5. Cut licorice into 2-in. pieces, then press eight pieces into each gumdrop for legs. Place reserved orange frosting in a heavy-duty resealable bag and cut a small hole in a corner of the bag. Pipe eyes on each spider gumdrop. Position on cupcakes.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Amount Per Serving: 361 calories, 16 g fat, 43 mg cholesterol, 294 mg sodium, 55 g carbohydrate, 1 g fibre, 2 g protein.