Cupcake Webs

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 28 muffin cups with brown paper liners (purchase at confectionaryhouse.com ).

Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Beat on low to blend well.

Add the eggs, milk, oil, and warm water and beat until smooth. (Batter will be thin.) Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the top of each cup with several chocolate chips.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; 15 to 19 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Prepare Chocolate Frosting .

Spread the chocolate frosting on top of the cooled cupcakes and make smooth. Place the chocolate jimmies into a small bowl. Holding the frosted cupcakes on their side, roll the edge in the jimmies.

Tint the vanilla frosting deep purple with the food coloring. Spoon into a resealable bag and snip a 1/8 inch corner from the bag. Arrange the cupcakes in groups of 7 to make 3 circles on a serving platter or board. Pipe intersecting lines with the purple frosting over the cupcake circles and then swags connecting the lines to make the webs. Repeat with the other cupcake circles. Extend a line of purple frosting on the serving platter and pipe a spider at the end. Add plastic spiders and flies if desired.