Jack-O-Lantern Cupcakes

Photo: flickr user Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake

Ingredients

1 package yellow cake mix

1 1/2 teaspoons Pumpkin pie spice

1 cup Buttermilk

1 cup canned Pumpkin

2 Eggs

3 tablespoons Margarine, softened

3 tablespoons canned Pumpkin

2 cups Powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon Milk

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Black or red licorice twists

small green gumdrops

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Line 24 muffin cups with paper baking cups.

In a mixing bowl, combine all cupcake ingredients. Beat at low speed until just moistened; then beat for 2 more minutes at medium speed, scraping down sides of bowl three times.

Pour batter into the muffin cups.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting. Prepare frosting.

In small bowl, beat the margarine and pumpkin until well blended. Gradually add 1 cup of the powdered sugar; beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add milk and vanilla.

Gradually add the remaining cup of powdered sugar; beat for an additional 2 minutes.

Spread on tops of cooled cupcakes.

Slice down 1 side to open licorice twists into triangular pieces for eyes and noses.

Cut jagged curved pieces for mouths.

Arrange on top of cupcakes for faces. Slice gumdrops in half; attach to head for stems.