This is a fun, easy activity to do with children or in the classroom. Kids love to make and eat these cupcakes- the bonus is making it, eating it and then wearing the plastic spider ring! Make some with your goblins today!

Step 1: SUPPLY LIST

Batch of cupcakes- baked and cooled to room temperature; your choice of flavor
Icing (make a batch or use store bought)
Icing Gel- several tubes (purchase contrasting color to the icing color- ex. white icing- use black or purple gel for the spider web- Gel is sold at grocery stores, Wal-Mart, Michaels, etc.)
1 toothpick for each child/student (if using this as group activity)
1 spatula or knife -for spreading the icing (if group project, suggest 1 plastic knife for each child/student)
1 plastic spider/ bat ring (enough that each cupcake has it's own ring)
Napkins

Step 2: Ice the Cupcake

Apply an even layer of icing- the smoother the better. Next, use the contrasting Gel and draw three thin concentric circles.

Step 3: Make the Spider Web

Use the toothpick to "drag" through the Gel rings...make sure you don't go too deep or you will pull cupcake crumbs into your icing web!

Tip: Start in the middle and drag to the outside. I ususally do this about 4-6 times. (picture 2)

Step 4:

Position your plastic spider, bat, fly, etc. anywhere on the web. Push it slightly to embed in the cake. Enjoy!

Tip: Younger children should not use smaller items like a plastic fly- potential choking hazard. Dollar stores are a great resource for locating interesting "Halloween" plastic toy items for this project.

Step 5: Variation

If you enjoyed making this Spider Web, you may want to consider using the same technique but with three different colored gels for a tye-dye look. Sorry for the poor quality of this photo- it's from a cellphone...it shows a spring time color scheme using pink and yellow gels on white icing. Here's some other ideas I have used in the past:

60's Decade themed parties...suggest using pink/purple and yellow or green- for a tye dye look.
Patriotic cupcakes using red/ and blue gel on white icing.
Holiday with red/green gel on white icing.

Kids and adults go crazy for this simple to do decorating technique. Have fun!