Jack Skellington Brown Sugar Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup, plus 2 Tbs. light brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 325*F.

Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing 30 seconds between each addition.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add half of the flour mixture and half of the buttermilk to the butter mixture; mix until well blended.

Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

White Frosting:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 Tbs. white shortening (not butter flavored)

4 Tbs. light corn syrup

1 tsp clear vanilla

Pinch of salt

2 Tbs. milk

Sift the confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl. Add shortening, milk and salt; mix until combined. Then, add the light corn syrup and vanilla, and mix until well blended. Decorate with black gel icing to look like Jack Skellington from "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Submitted by Heidi R.

Theme: Halloween