PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Coarsely chop 14 of the cookies. Prepare cake batter as directed on pkg.; stir in chopped cookies. Spoon evenly into 24 paper- or foil-lined medium muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

CUT 24 (3-inch) lengths from licorice for the "cats' tails;" set aside. Cut remaining licorice into 1-1/2-inch lengths for the "whiskers." Make cat faces on each of the remaining 24 cookies, using some of the frosting to attach the whiskers to the cat faces. Add 2 jelly bean halves to each for the "eyes" and 2 chocolate chips for the "ears." Let stand at least 30 min. or until frosting is dry. Spread cupcakes with remaining frosting. Stand cat faces on edge on each cupcake. Place 3-inch piece of licorice on back half of each cupcake for the "cat's tail."