Spider Cakes

1. Stage

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter six (1 1/2-by-3-inch) dome flexible baking molds, and dust with cocoa, tapping out any excess. Set aside on a baking sheet.

2. Stage

In the bowl of an electric mixer, sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. Stage

Add egg yolk, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to the flour mixture. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping the sides and bottom as necessary.

4. Stage

Pour batter to within 1/4 inch from the top of each mold. Bake, rotating once, until a wooden skewer inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

5. Stage

Invert and unmold cakes onto a wire rack; set aside until completely cool, about 30 minutes. Trim cakes flush with the top of the molds, using a serrated knife.

6. Stage

To create the heads and legs: Fill a medium pastry bag fitted with a coupler with black meringue. Using a #7 pastry tip for the heads and a #4 pastry tip for the legs, pipe directly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping the pastry bag at a 45-degree angle to the baking sheet. After piping the heads, carefully affix sprinkles for eyes and mouths. Transfer to oven, bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes; set aside.

7. Stage

Using an offset spatula, spread black buttercream over each cake to evenly coat. Cover with black sprinkles; set aside.

8. Stage

Transfer the remaining buttercream to a small disposable pastry bag; snip off the end to make a small hole for piping. Carefully pipe a small amount of icing onto the end of one of the spider legs, and attach to one of the spider-body cakes; apply a small amount of pressure to insert the leg into the frosted body. Repeat with remaining legs and cakes.

9. Stage

Pipe a small amount of buttercream onto the front of one of the bodies, and carefully attach the head. Allow to set; carefully transfer to serving plate by sliding a large spatula under the body from the back of the cake. Repeat with remaining cakes and heads.