# Components:
→ Chocolate Cupcakes
01 - 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 - 1/2 cup hot water
→ Chocolate Buttercream
12 - 2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
15 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
16 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
17 - Pinch of salt
→ Decorations
18 - 1 cup chocolate sprinkles
19 - 36 mini chocolate chips
20 - 18 milk chocolate chips or chocolate-covered candies
21 - 3/4 cup flaked almonds
22 - 18 cupcake liners
23 - 1 cupcake tower stand or cake tiers
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with 18 cupcake liners.
02 - In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Add hot water and mix until smooth.
05 - Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about two-thirds full. Bake 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before decorating.
06 - Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating well. Add milk, vanilla, and salt, and continue beating until fluffy.
07 - Spread chocolate buttercream generously over cooled cupcakes, shaping one side into a rounded point to form the hedgehog’s face.
08 - Dip the back half of each cupcake into chocolate sprinkles to create the fur effect.
09 - Press flaked almonds into the buttercream on the back half to resemble spikes.
10 - Attach two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one milk chocolate chip or candy for the nose on the pointed face side.
11 - Arrange decorated cupcakes on the stand to form an appealing tower centerpiece.
