From Zombie Cupcakes (Andrews McMeel, Feb. 2011)
Skeletal Zombies
Difficulty Rating: 2 skulls (out of three)
Makes 12
Make the decorations the day before baking zombies
Chocolate Mint Cupcakes
• 1⁄2 cup (4 oz/1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 tsp mint extract
• 1 1/3cups white all-purpose, cake, or pastry flour
• 1⁄4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 11/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
Decorations
• 6 oz plain white Half and Half (see page 11)
• white vegetable fat, for greasing
• about 120 white hard mint candies
• 1 quantity Dark chocolate ganache (see page 9)
• edible black marker pen (optional)
• 12 knives (see page 15)
• 3/4 oz Piping gel “Blood” (see page 10)
Since zombies are already undead, killing them again isn’t easy. One of the less well-known techniques for surviving a zombie attack is to sever your zombie assailant’s spinal cord. This minty, chocolaty delight gives you pointers on where exactly to insert the knife. Each cupcake is topped by a generous swirl of chocolate ganache. The head is attached to the cupcake with a toothpick, so be sure to warn your guests to remove the toothpick before they take a bite.
Piping Gel “Blood”
Makes about 3 oz
• 3 oz clear piping gel
• 4 to 5 drops red paste food coloring
Put the piping gel in a small bowl, add the paste food coloring in drops or on a toothpick or the tip of a knife, and beat in until you achieve a deep blood red color. Store according to the directions on the package.
