Ingredients
Method
Preheat oven to 180C (160C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) muffin pan with patty cases. Prepare cake mix according to packet directions, then divide mixture between each hole; bake for 20 minutes or until they spring back when lightly touched. Stand cakes in pan for 5 minutes; turn onto a wire rack to cool.
MANY-EYED MONSTER: Tint a quarter of the buttercream with a few drops of purple food colouring; spread 3 cakes with buttercream. Trim lolly teeth and cut gaps to form fangs. Place 8 candy eyeballs in top half of 1 cake, then place a lolly tooth below. Repeat with remaining iced cupcakes and lollies.
FRANKENSTEIN: Tint a quarter of the buttercream with a few drops of green food colouring; spread 3 cakes with buttercream. Cut a 4cm piece of liqorice strap, then cut small triangles along one side and trim the flat side to make Frankenstein’s hair. Repeat twice more with two more 4cm pieces of liqorice strap. Cut a 2cm piece of liqorice strap in half lengthways, then cut gaps on each side to form the mouth. Repeat to make 3 mouths. Place hair at top of cupcake and place 2 candy eyeballs below. Position a mini marshmallow sideways at the edge of the cake on both sides to make ears. Place the mouth in the bottom half of cake. Repeat with remaining iced cupcakes and lollies.
SPOOKY SPIDER: Stir cocoa into remaining buttercream until well combined, adding a little milk if mixture is dry (the chocolate buttercream will also be used for the Sticky Web cupcakes). Spread 3 cakes with half the chocolate buttercream. Place Milo in a small bowl; dip the top of a cupcake into the Milo, then place 2 candy eyeballs at top of cake. Cut 1 Curly Wurly Squirlie in half and insert in the side of the cake just below the eyeballs to make the pincers. Attach 4 Curly Wurly Squirlies down each side of the cake to make the legs, then place a red M&M on the opposite side of the eyes between each row of legs. Repeat with remaining iced cakes and lollies.
STICKY WEB: Spread the remaining 3 cakes with remaining chocolate buttercream. Place 2 marshmallows in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on HIGH for 15 seconds. Mix melted marshmallow with a fork. Using your fingers, stretch the marshmallow until web-like and spread over the cake. Repeat with remaining marshmallows and cupcakes.
