Does any treat scream Halloween more than “Death By Chocolate” cupcakes? Bar none, they might be the most perfect seasonal treat yet, especially when they’re decorated like this. Gemma Stafford of Gemma’s Bigger Bolder Baking stops by Chocolicious to show us how to make them.

You’ll Need

Cake
– 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
– 2 cups sugar
– 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1/2 cup vegetable oil
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
Frosting
– 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
– 2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, at room temperature
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, sifted
– 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
Decorations
– 1 cup White chocolate, melted, for bone decorations and RIP tombstones
– 12 chocolate cookies for tombstones
– 1/2 cup of “chocolate dirt” (crushed chocolate cookies)

How To

Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, mix the flour with the sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt at low speed.
3. In a bowl, whisk the buttermilk with the oil, eggs and vanilla. Slowly beat the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until just incorporated, then slowly beat in the hot coffee until fully incorporated.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake pans lined with papers. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean. Leave to cool. You can even made them a day ahead.

Frosting and Decorations

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate at high power in 30-second intervals, stirring, until most of the chocolate is melted. Stir until completely melted, then set aside to cool.
2. Melt the white chocolate and pipe skeleton bone on parchment paper. Put aside to set.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter at medium speed until pale and fluffy. Scrape down the side of the bowl.
4. At low speed, slowly beat in the confectioners’ sugar, about 5 minutes.
5. In a small bowl, dissolve the instant coffee in 2 teaspoons of hot water.
6. Slowly beat the coffee, vanilla and the cooled chocolate into the butter mixture until just combined. Set aside at room temperature. Pipe your frosting on top the cupcakes.
7. Place your skeleton bones in the frosting and have then protruding out. Enjoy your chocolate graveyard. The perfect treat for any Halloween party.

These treats almost make headstones cute! What do you think of them?