Spooky Haunted Forest Cupcakes with Chocolate Trees

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (180ml) boiling water
• 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
• ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green gel food coloring
• 6 oz (170g) dark chocolate, finely chopped (at least 70% cocoa)
• Pinch of sea salt
• Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
• Edible dirt (crushed Oreo cookies) (optional)
• Candy eyeballs (optional)