Spooky Black Widow Martini and Cupcakes

Happy Thursday friends! Hope your weeks are going great! Getting into the Halloween Spirit, I have to share with you something that just sends a chill up my spine, are not just spiders, but the very dangerous and deadly Black Widow. She creeps and crawls, closer and closer to your heart, and then

just like that she...Wait. thank goodness you're not a male spider, or she would eat you alive!!

I couldn't resist both these fun recipes!

The first is for the Black Widow Martini.

 It sure carries a sting and a seriously delicious Chocolate Orange flavor!

 Made with Vanilla and Chocolate Vodka, Kahlua and Grand Marnier,

it is sure to Party Pleaser!

The second recipe is for my Black Widow cupcakes.

Ever since I can remember Almond Joys have been candy of choice!

Now it's my turn to take a bite out of a Black Widow,

made with Coconut Almond cupcakes, Almond Joys, whipped Chocolate Ganache, 

and Black Licorice.

For the Martini (Makes 2):

First chill a Martini glass. Run a lime around the edges. 

Coat edges with Red Sugar crystals.

In a Martini shaker, pour 

4 oz. cold espresso

2 oz. Vanilla Vodka

2 oz. Kahlua

1 1/2 oz Chocolate Vodka

1 1/2 oz Grand Marnier 

Shake to combine. Pour into martini glass.

For the cupcakes: (adapted from Life,Love and Sugar)
1 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup unsalted butter
3 egg whites
1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. coconut extract

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Scrape sides of bowl down.
3. Add egg whites, one at a time and beating each until well blended.
Do not over mix.
4. Scrape bowl down. Add extracts and yogurt.
Mix until blended.
5. In separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and baking soda.
6. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
7.  Mix until blended. Scrape sides down.
8. Add milk and remaining half of the flour mixture. Mix until well blended.
9. Spoon into cupcake liners a little more than half way.
10. Bake for 18-22 minutes.


For the Icing:

I used the Whipped Chocolate Ganache recipe from my Harvest Carrot Cake.
Using (affiliate) Wilton ColorSwirl 3 Color Coupler, 411-1992 ,



I divided the Icing into 3 equal parts.
1 I tinted Black
and
1 I tinted Red,
Keeping one the original Chocolate Ganache.

Then on top of the Cupcake I added a Snack Size Almond Joy, used Black Licorice for legs.
If you can find the Twizzlers Pull Apart Black Licorice.
Finally, I added Red Sparkle Gel for The Black Widow's Diamond of Death!

Here I saved a cupcake for you!
Take a Bite if you Dare!
(insert spooky laughing out loud)

Until next time!
xo,
Christine

Sharing at these Parties!