For the cupcakes:

1 ½ ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

¼ cup prune juice

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1/3 cup buttermilk

¼ cup vegetable oil

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting:

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup peanut butter

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 drop green food coloring

Chocolate wafer cookies

Licorice strips

Toasted, shredded coconut

Halloween candies

To make the cupcakes:

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F. Set your favorite liners in muffin cups.  Add the chocolate and prune juice in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat in the microwave on low power, stirring occasionally, until completely melted.  Mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.  In another bowl, beat the egg and yolk with an electric mixer at high speed until slightly thick and lemon colored, 2 to 4 minutes.  Slowly pour buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating at low speed until thoroughly combined.  Add the flour mixture and beat at low speed until just combined.

Divide the batter among muffin tins, filling 1/2 of the way.

Bake until a toothpick or wooden stick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean and the tops spring back when pressed gently, about 25 minutes.  Cool the cupcakes in the tin on a wire rack for about 8 minutes, then transfer cupcakes onto wire rack, and let cool completely.

To make the frosting:

Beat the butter, peanut butter, and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Gradually add the powdered sugar and the milk, mixing until the frosting is smooth.  Add food coloring if desired.  Refrigerate the frosting until firm.

To decorate the cupcakes:

To make the witches hat, score a circle in the middle of a cupcake.  Cut a deep cone-like shape with a knife held at an angle.  Rotate the cupcake to complete the circle and remove the center.  Repeat with all the cupcakes.  Generously scoop or pipe enough frosting into the center of each cupcake to fill the hole and to come over the cake to make a face.  Top with a chocolate wafer cookie.  Put a dot of frosting in the middle of the wafer cookie and invert the cone shaped piece of cake on top to make a witches hat.  Use skinny licorice, toasted coconut or cereal flakes for hair and candies for eyes and/or nose.  Refrigerate for up to 30 minutes before serving.