Creeping caterpillar cupcakes

(adapted from disney's
			family cookbook -- by deanna f. 
cook
                        -- and the experts
                        at familyfun magazine)

Basic cake: 2 cups sifted cake flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon
sal
t 1/2 cup unsalted butter or margarine, softened to room temperature 1 cup
suga
r 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
(optional) 1
/2 cup milk

Frosting and decoration: 3 cups prepared white frosting (tinted with green,
yel
low, purple or orange food coloring) Tinted coconut (green, yellow, purple
or o
range), licorice shoe strings (variety of colors), variety of round candies
for
 eyes or spots

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 24 cup muffin tins with paper liners. In
a la
rge bowl whisk together the cake flour, baking powder and salt. In a
stand-alon
e mixer or using a handheld electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until
lig
ht and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each
additi
on. Add the vanilla and beat to combine. If making chocolate cake add the
coole
d, melted chocolate and mix well, then add in milk. Gradually add the flour
mix
ture into the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Pour the batter
into 
the prepared tins and bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely.

Frost the cupcakes with the tinted frosting and sprinkle with tinted
coconut fo
r a fuzzy caterpillar. Arrange them in a curving pattern on top of a large
cutt
ing board or piece of cardboard covered with foil. Snip licorice into short
len
gths to form antennae and legs. Place round candies for eyes and mouth. If
desi
red, round candies can be placed on cupcakes for a spotted caterpillar.