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Spooky Halloween Cupcakes

These rich chocolate cupcakes are baked until tender with a moist crumb, then decorated with vibrant frosting and creepy edible toppings. Their playful, chaotic decorations make them perfect for Halloween parties, offering a fun and forgiving baking experience for all skill levels.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup red food coloring gel preferred
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder Dutch-processed for richer flavor
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 cup buttercream frosting tinted black or green for decoration
  • as needed edible decorations gummy worms, edible eyes, sprinkles

Equipment

  • Muffin tin & paper liners
  • Electric mixer
  • Cooling rack
  • Piping bag & tips

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a muffin tin with dark-colored paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fragrant—about 3 minutes.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in vanilla extract and a splash of red food coloring to create a blood-red hue.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing just until combined—be careful not to overmix.
  5. Using a spoon or scoop, fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter. This helps them rise evenly without overflowing.
  6. Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges look slightly firm and golden.
  7. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The smell of rich chocolate will fill your kitchen as they bake.
  8. Once cooled, pipe or spread your tinted buttercream frosting onto each cupcake, creating spooky swirls or flat tops depending on your decorating style.
  9. Decorate with gummy worms, edible eyes, and sprinkles to bring your creepy creations to life. Place the decorations carefully to ensure they stay in place.
  10. Let the decorated cupcakes set for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting and decorations to firm up. Then, they’re ready to serve and delight everyone with their spooky charm.

Notes

Use gel food coloring to avoid thinning your batter, and get creative with your decorations for maximum spooky effect.