This collection of edible Halloween toppers is assembled with gumdrops for bodies and assorted candies (see Sources, page 342) for features. Cutting gumdrops, or scraping away patches of sugar, creates sticky parts for easy adhering. Spread Swiss meringue buttercream (regular or chocolate variation; pages 304–305) over cupcakes, then decorate as instructed below.
Ingredients
Preparation
Black Cat
Step 1
For one topper, you will need 2 black gumdrops, a length of black licorice lace, 1 black licorice wheel, 1 black licorice drop, and 2 red round candy sprinkles (nonpareils). Trim gumdrops and stick them together for the head and body. Snip licorice lace for arms, legs, tail, and whiskers. Cut 2 small triangles from licorice wheel for ears. Poke holes in gumdrops with a toothpick and insert sprinkle eyes (use kitchen tweezers), licorice drop nose, and licorice-lace arms, legs, and tail. Scrape away sugar around nose and attach licorice whiskers. Place black cat on frosted cupcake.
Witch Face
Step 2
For one topper, you will need 1 flat green gumdrop, 1 red spice drop, 2 long chocolate sprinkles, 2 long white sprinkles, black licorice lace, 1 black licorice stick, 1 black licorice gummy candy (such as Chuckles), and 1 green sour candy (such as Nerds). Cut gummy candy into a triangle hat; cut licorice stick into the brim. Snip licorice lace into a piece for hair. Poke holes in gumdrop with a toothpick; insert chocolate sprinkle eyes (use kitchen tweezers). Scrape away sugar from gumdrop; attach green candy nose. Snip off top of red spice drop; poke hole in middle and insert white sprinkle teeth. Place face on frosted cupcake. Curve hair around top; attach candy brim and hat.
Little Devil
Step 3
For one topper, you will need 2 red gumdrops, a length of red licorice lace, and 1 black licorice wheel. Trim both gumdrops and stick together to form the head and body. Cut 2 small triangles from licorice wheel for the ears and a longer triangle for the nose; cut 2 tiny pieces for the eyes. Snip licorice lace for arms and tail. Poke holes in gumdrops with a toothpick and insert licorice eyes (use kitchen tweezers), ears, nose, arms, and tail. Place red devil on frosted cupcake (the one shown is sprinkled with red, orange, and yellow sanding sugar to resemble flames), and add a candle “pitchfork,” if desired.
Vampire Bat
Step 4
For one topper, you will need 1 black licorice wheel, 1 black gumdrop, and 2 red round candy sprinkles (nonpareils). Cut black licorice wheel in half and then into two wing shapes; cut two small triangles from remaining licorice pieces for the ears. Poke holes in gumdrop with a toothpick, and insert licorice ears and red sprinkle eyes (use kitchen tweezers). Place face on frosted cupcake, then insert wings into buttercream on either side.
