A couple of weeks ago, I saw a lady at a bus stop. I was on my way to afternoon tea with friends and she stood out in a sea of people. About 70 years old or so, she was wearing a black dress with her hair beautifully coiffed, a large black onyx ring, black heels and an accessory often neglected, but a black umbrella with an ornate gold handle. She was so unique that I just had to come up to her and in a slightly lowered tone, I told her how much I adored her look.
She flushed and giggled. Instantly, I could see the porcelain skinned 20 year old fashionista from decades ago that I’m willing to bet broke some hearts. Her eyes sparkled and she patted her floaty black chiffon number “Oh this old thing, I’ve had it for years” she said giggling. “Well, it is gorgeous” I said. It turns out that “this old thing” was actually a vintage Collette Dinnigan number. She caught me looking at her umbrella and gave it a bit of a twirl. She smiled and said “I also like to match my umbrella to my outfit too!”, a sentiment I completely appreciated. I too have an umbrella fetish and have a small collection of about a dozen to suit every mood.
In fact, my favourite umbrella is one that I rarely take out for fear of losing it. It’s from the musical Wicked which I saw in London and is shaped like a witch’s hat. I should use it more often and every time I do, it elicits comments. So much so that Mr NQN is wary of me carrying it. Mostly it’s kids who check my Morticia Addams exterior and say “Ooh is that a witch?” to which I wave and smile at them gaily.
So when Mr NQN’s colleague Anavrinny messaged me on twitter and said that she had seen some melting witch cookies and thought of me, I didn’t take any offence at all. I loved that there were cookie versions all over the internet but I decided to make a cupcake version for Hallowe’en. The flavour would of course have to be suitably witchy-I thought about it and eye of newt wouldn’t do-they’re out of season at the moment, but what about a licorice and lime cupcake?
Not licorice, no!
Now before you tune out in horror those that are licorice phobic, I was one. But then I tried the combination and it was magic-the strong licorice was held back with the addition of lime and it became one of my favourite combinations. And this is coming from both a witch and a licorice phobic 
So tell me Dear Reader, are you a fan or phobe of licorice? And do you compliment people or are you silently appreciative?
Yes and I’m meeeeeelting!
Melting Witch Cupcakes
Aniseed and lime cupcakes
Makes 10-12 cupcakes
- 1.5 cups caster or superfine sugar
- 3/4 cups lime infused olive oil (or use olive oil and some lime essence)
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- Aniseed essence
- Green food colouring
- 2 cups plain, all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 250g white chocolate
- 2/3 cup pure cream
- black already coloured fondant
- Green fondant
- Blue icing pen for hair
- I also used green coated fennel seeds for hands but you can fashion these out of fondant
- Small paintbrush
- Cornflour for dusting
- Edible pen or icing pen in brown or black for eyes
- Toothpicks to secure the heads to the cupcakes
- You will also need an icing tip to shape the top of the hat or you can also use Hershey’s kisses. You will also need a round cutter to make the brim of the hat or you can used bought chocolate coins.
1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Beat the sugar and oil together for 2 minutes. Then add the eggs, one at a time and then the milk and the green food colouring and a few drops of aniseed essence-go slowly if you aren’t a big licorice fan-it can divide people. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder until evenly distributed with a clean whisk and then add this in two lots to the batter.
2. Pour into a jug for easy filling. Fill each lined cavity 3/4 of the way up or just a little more than 3/4 of the way as you want the witches robes to fall easily down the sides of the cupcake. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool.
3. Make the chocolate ganache by melting the chocolate and cream together in a microwave or a double boiler and mix until smooth. Cool until you get a spreadable consistency and then coat the cupcakes in ganache and smooth over with a palette knife. Allow to set.
4. First make the hats. Roll out some black fondant on a lightly floured non stick board (I also use a non stick rolling pin). Cut out a round brim for a hat. Then dust the inside of an icing tip with cornflour and create a small tip with your hands and push this into the tip to form a sharper tip-this isn’t as easy as it sounds and you may need to give this a few goes at first.
Rolling the witch’s robes
5. Then take a walnut sized ball of black fondant and shape the gown of the witch. You actually don’t want an even circle in this case. Adhere it to the ganache topped cupcake with a little water.
6. Clean your hands of the black and then roll some small balls to make the faces. Pinch a small amount for the nose and adhere this with some water. Using a toothpick, attach the head leaving enough toothpick sticking out to attach the hat. Using a small paintbrush dipped in water, wet two little areas to stick the hands. Use fennel seeds or shape hands with green fondant and use tweezers to apply.
7. Then use the icing pen to draw hair onto the head and use the black pen to draw eyes. Add the hat to the cupcake using the toothpick to secure them.
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67 Comments | Add your own
Oh, I love them! Those cupcakes are really cute.
Cheers,
Rosa
You know I love anything even remotely related to Wicked. Where do you find the time, dear Lorraine?
What a lovely story, you must have made that lady’s day! I often get complimented on my shoes as well as an old 1950′s style swing coat I inherited from my Mom that is stunning (recently had new fur put on the collar and cuffs); so if I see someone that looks great, I do the same. It makes you feel so good to have a total stranger take the time and offer you kind words. Part of the reason I like the blogging world, everyone is just so lovely! Especially you
These cupcakes look incredible, I adore the flavour of black licorice, or anise. So yummy!
These witches are so cute…so creative Lorraine
Thanks for the recipe and the picture.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
I love it!!! I like lime and licorice, but I would never have thought about it as a flavour combination! Yum!!! Very very clever!!
Hmmm interesting! Licorice and Lime – I like both so I’ll have to try the combination. Lorraine you have me confused. What makes the cupcakes green?
Thanks Sylvia, it’s food colouring
I LOVE these cupcakes! Well done you! I’m a fan of licorice but not the super strong flavours, or the salty stuff.
They’re absolutely adorable! Definitley an interesting flavour combinations but I wonder, will it convert I the licorice hater?
Lime and licorice – I am going to have to try this one. I bought Nigelissima as soon as it was released and within is a recipe for a licorice pudding. I am not convinced I would like this even though I am a fan of licorice. And I can’t wait to see the series for Nigelissima in which I hear Nigella pulls out a suitcase full of licorice! Very cute cupcakes
Love these! I don’t like licorice or anise, but do like fennel, I know, it’s hypocritical, but they are different! I try to compliment as often as possible, because I know how nice it feels to be on the receiving end of a compliment =)
Too cute! I totally love this, especially the green cupcakes underneath.
Haha cookies have nothing on these incredible cupcakes my friend, so much detail and finesse!
They look awesome
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Very cool!! I have never seen wicked but would like to!
They are beyond adorable.
And the story of the lady made me smile. I bet you made her week. I remember a few years ago waiting for Boo to decide it was time to get out of the damn car, standing on the footpath and staring off in the space. A woman came up to me and told me that she loved my outfit and that I looked lovely. It still makes me feel nice that someone actually took their time to say something nice to me.
Matching umbrella with clothes – never would have thought.
In Sweden (and I think one other country) licorice is salted. Licorice is an acquired tasted, the salted version even more so. There is a choc bar filled with salted licorice – I surpringly found it absolutely delicious.
They look so gorgegeous – just want I’d expect from you xo
These cupcakes are gorgeous! I am making black velvet cupcakes today to hand out to the trick-or-treaters tonight. Along with the requisite cackle that is.
The other day I told a girl at the local shops that she looked like Lily Collins and she had the biggest smile on her face 
I am a licorice fan, although I don’t really like the Aussie stuff. I love the Danish licorice my grandfather used to send over every Christmas, especially the triple salted coins. Oh, delicious. I am also one of those people who compliments strangers. Why not? I love it when someone says something to me, so pay it forward
Licorice…I thought you were talking about some kind of liquor, but I think it is something different, right? Is the use of fondant? I love using it to decorate, but I don’t like to eat, I never liked. But that does not stop me eat the cupcake in any way.
I loved the green cupcakes, I have to make some with the same color for my kids birthday as it is related to Frankenweenie.
These cupcakes are so cool and ever-so-slightly creepy. Unusual combination of flavours, too. Mission accomplished!
You are so clever Lorraine. And these look too cute to eat. I’m a big fan of licorice so I’m sure I would love the lime and licorice flavour. And that’s so nice that you gave that woman a compliment – it probably made her year xx
I love these cupcakes!! Wicked is one of my favourite musicals. I have to bookmark this for next year. Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween! LOVE your cupcakes too!
Appreciate all the time to get them just right, that you do!
I always believe in giving a compliment, when one is do!
And there is nothing better when you brighten someone’s day with such a simple or kind gesture, true!
Very creative…it takes much passion to do this nice piece!
Very creative…takes so much passion to do this nice piece..
hahaha oh Lorraine, you’re amazing!! Stunning. Ek, hate liquorice. But love aniseedy Ouzo and Raki, so go figure. I’d probably love these
Heidi xo
the only word that came to my mouth when I saw them was “Awwww”. But I guess you were intending for us to be speechless, anyway.
I love these cupcakes Lorraine, in fact they are my favourite item from your Halloween spread. Also love Licorice and Lime, need to try this recipe.
Yes, I do compliment someone if I like their look and did so at a function not too long ago. Turned out her dress was Charlie Brown, don’t you just love it when the said person is forthcoming with information!
Off to the city today to celebrate 30 years of marriage!
Happy Anniversary Matilda!! Have a wonderful time!
Halloween and cupcakes = Lorraine! Hope you have had and are having the most wonderful time! [and, thank God, that is almost over
]! Just thought I had been transported to the US as I made a quick entry to local [rural] Woolies here in Oz this morning!!! Imaginative cupcakes . . . HATE liquorice!! 
!
I’m totally liquorish-phobic. Just the smell turns me off. These look great though. When I was little a friend and I watched the witches and for years we were convinced that a lady who lived across the road was a witch. She sure looked the part.
We are having Blood clot jellies tonight with Pus blobs, blobbed!! A favourite at this time of year from the Very Quite Nigella! Lust after your umbrella but am exhausted just reading & imagining my making the oh so scarey cupcakes.Am still reeling from the eyeball cupcakes last year which will stay in my mind forever as just how gore one can get if desired. How little boys love such things but still have to close eyes eating them!!?
wow they looks great!!! happy halloween!
Another creative, joyous offering. I don’t know how you come up with these. I love licorice, but have never tried it with lime. I definitely am vocal in my admiration. Definitely.
I’m still waiting for you to open your own bakery! These are too adorable looking. As for the lady who matches her umbrella to her outfit, I give her major props. I’m just lucky not to lose my umbrella when I am out and about with it.
Your witch cupcakes are faboolous. I am gonna bookmark this for the future, when my kids can appreciate Halloween for what it is.
Btw Happy Halloween to you!
I really thought the old lady on the bus was going to turn out to be a witch! Dammit.
So wonderfully creative! Last year we had mouldy cakes (blueberry muffins), mummies from NQN, flayed face (also NQN), and slime (avocado dip). Also did pus in a bowl – think it was eggplant dip but could just as easily been hommus. Tonight no party, but we’ve got a cat on the door, a little witch waiting for trick or treaters, and ordinary food.
As to licorice, I will confess to liking Bassetts Licorice Allsorts at airports, but that is it!
I love all your Halloween related posts, so cute!!! Happy Halloween, you amazingly creative person!
I love that you complimented the stylish lady, Lorraine. I wish more people did this! I also compliment strangers, and it usually turns out well…apart from the time I complimented a lady on her perfume and she turned to me, looked down her nose with disdain and said “it’s VERY expensive……” Ah well…her loss to miss out on a positive exchange with a stranger!
Great cupcakes!
I like licorice but not too much in the one sitting.
I like to give compliments to strangers, whether it be their clothes or accessories that catch my eye.
I like umbrellas too! For our wedding we gave out umbrellas as gifts to our guests (also it was raining). It was so fun picking them out and guessing who would pick it up.
They really have a much nicer selection in Great Britain and Canada than here in Sweden so probably the post office thought we were going to open an umbrella store!
oh wow, I have to try this combination as lime and licourice are two of my favourites
These are absolutely adorable, Lorraine!! And what an interesting flavour combination too..
I like licorice but I LOVE these cupcakes. I sometimes embarrass my husband. He says I “pick up strays.” I just can’t help myself. There’s always something to say.
These are hilarious! I’m not a big liquorice fan but might take the decoration idea and turn into something chocolaty…
Love licorice especially chocolate bullets because everything covered in chocolate tastes good! I like to compliment someone if they look nice, it’s interesting though some people like to chat and tell you where things were purchased while others just say thanks and not much else.
I actually use to absolutely hate liquorice, but recently trying it I actually didn’t mind it too much. I wouldn’t actively chose it though.
It’s still arvo here in the West -WA- I always compliment folk I see as my Mother taught me well. Just last week @ the Blood Bank a much younger woman was wearing a great crocheted dress – as I told her I’d not seen one for at least decades and had she made it herself!
What a fun idea! I’m a huge fan of licorice, but not as fond of fennel even though it’s aniseed flavoured.
I love matching accessories, and I wish you had snapped a photo of the glamorous lady, I bet she would have been happy too pose and show of her fashion sense
I am not a fan of licorice (except for the raspberry kind!)….so I would tread lightly with these cupcakes…but they do look fabulous! Very Halloween
These are so super awesome and no I’m not a fan of licorice! I wished I was artistically and bake-lically (new word) to bake witch cupcakes.. sigh!
I’m not a big fondant fan, but nothing beats it for effect! Love your creative use of the piping tips
love these witches
GREAT musical too!
NQN, you really inspire me to be more creative during the holidays!
I love those witches!
Those witches are too cute!
These look fantastic. The moment when the witch melts in wizard of oz (that I am made to watch often) is one of the great moments of cinema. Actually I thought you were going to say that the woman you saw was a witch or that you followed her to check on her witch activity
Am curious that you use aniseed essence for liquorice flavour – I love liquorice but not aniseed so many – are they the same and I haven’t noticed – I thought I saw something about liquorice cake lately and wondered how to give it the flavour!
You are soo sweet, Lorraine! That lady must be thrilled to meet you.
These cupcakes look so cute. You really put so much efforts and attention to details. Fantastic!
PS: I’m ok with licorice – not a fan and never say no to it, either, lol.
What a cute idea, you are so creative!
the wizard of oz was the first time i had seen any sort of witch, and that wicked witch scared me to death! i was glad when she got crushed by the house, and i don’t mind seeing her melt all over your cupcakes, either.
Adorable scary cupcakes. Phobe of licorice here. Cute story about the lady, a unique moment.
Happy Halloween Lorriane. I love how you go all out with the theme. Definitely loving the look of these cupcakes – you are so clever!
These cupcakes look spooky! love the way you took the photos and gave it that dark and ominous glow.
I’m a licorice phobe. but maybe I really need to give the lime and licorice combination a go.
Great tip on getting ready made black fondant. I wished someone had told me previously when I tried to colour my white fondant black..I never got anything close to black!
Love that umbrella of yours. I should have gotten it when I watched the musical.
What a detail work! You are so creative and you put your imagination into your creation. It’s amazing… I hope you had a fun Halloween!
Gorgeous themed cupcakes – unfortunately my phobia of licorice would have held me back! I like to compliment people openly; the right-placed compliment can really brighten a person’s day… And women can get away with it easily
Georgous & appetizing looking witches cupcakes! I don’t like LQ at all but my hubby does!
I loved reading this great post!
I also love your witch umbrella: very cool! I would use it all the time!
Wow, these cupcakes look amazing. I’m really fascinated by old women who dress awesome!
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