# Components:
→ Chocolate Cupcakes
01 - 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 cup hot water
→ Chocolate Buttercream
12 - 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt
→ Decorations
18 - 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles
19 - 36 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
20 - 18 milk chocolate chips or chocolate-covered candies (for noses)
21 - 3/4 cup flaked almonds (for spikes)
22 - 18 cupcake liners
23 - 1 cupcake tower stand or cake tiers
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with 18 cupcake liners.
02 - Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until fluffy, then add oil, milk, and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
04 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined; stir in hot water until smooth.
05 - Distribute batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each two-thirds full.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
07 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then incorporate milk, vanilla, and salt; beat until fluffy.
08 - Apply a generous layer of chocolate buttercream on each cooled cupcake, sculpting one side into a rounded point for the face.
09 - Dip the back (body) of each cupcake into chocolate sprinkles to create fur texture.
10 - Press flaked almonds into the buttercream on the back half of each cupcake to form spikes.
11 - Place two mini chocolate chips as eyes and one milk chocolate chip or candy as the nose on the pointed face.
12 - Arrange decorated cupcakes on a stand to build the whimsical tower centerpiece.
