Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 1⅓ cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup cocoa, 1½ teaspoons baking soda, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1 cup whole milk, ½ cup oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Beat the batter on medium speed for 3 minutes.
• Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add 1 cup boiling water, starting with a small amount and then pouring the remaining water while mixing. The batter will be thin.
• Fill each paper-lined cup about ¾ full with batter. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
• For the frosting: beat 1 cup unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar and beat until the mixture is light and creamy.
• If the frosting is too stiff, add up to 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream a few drops at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency. If needed during mixing, add the powdered sugar gradually from the measured 4 cups to reach the desired thickness.
• Test the frosting by placing a spoonful on a spoon and turning it upside down; the frosting should stay on the spoon. Adjust only with the measured powdered sugar or the measured heavy cream as described above.
• Add blue gel coloring a small amount at a time and mix until you reach the desired shade of blue.
• Spoon the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip, twist the open end to push the frosting toward the tip, and hold the bag straight up and down when piping.
• Pipe the frosting straight up and down onto each cooled cupcake.
• Place the 2 large candy eyes on top of a frosted cupcake.
• Cut the 1 chocolate chip cookie in half and stick one cookie half into the middle of the frosted cupcake so it looks like it is sticking out of the mouth.