To create your Halloween Cupcakes, follow these easy steps:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended.
4. Combine Mixtures: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Add Boiling Water: For chocolate cupcakes, stir in the boiling water. This step will thin the batter, creating moist cupcakes.
6. Color the Batter: If you’re making vanilla cupcakes, divide the batter and add food coloring as desired. Use orange for a pumpkin look, purple for spooky vibes, etc.
7. Fill the Cupcake Liners: Pour the batter into the lined cupcake pan, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
8. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool Completely: Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.