Makes 12

2 cups self raising flour, sifted

1/2 cup caster sugar

3/4 cup milk

125g butter, melted, cooled

2 eggs, whisked

1 tsp vanilla essence

Icing:

1 1/2 cups pure icing sugar

1-1 1/2 tbdsp water

black food colouring

white icing to decorate

Queen writing /decorating icing

1. Preheat oven to 200C. Line 12 x 1/3 capacity muffin moulds with Halloween themed paper cases. Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Combine milk, butter, eggs and vanilla in a large jug. Add to flour mixture and using a large metal spoon, stir gently to combine.

2. Spoon mixture into paper cases. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

3. To make icing, sift icing sugar into a bowl. Add water, stirring until it reaches a firm spreadable consistency. Add food colouring. Stir until smooth and well combined. Spoon icing onto cupcakes. 

4. Using a writing icing tube decorate cake with spider webs. Transfer cakes to a serving plate. For a finishing touch, decorate plate with small plastic spiders available from craft or gimic shops.