Halloween Monster Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix or your favorite homemade chocolate cupcake recipe
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
For the buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 –3 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring: purple green, orange, black
For decorating:
- Candy eyeballs various sizes
- Halloween sprinkles
- Mini marshmallows
- Black licorice strings
- M&Ms or chocolate chips
Instructions
1️⃣ Bake the cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with Halloween-themed cupcake liners. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, filling each liner about 2/3 full. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
2️⃣ Make the buttercream:
- Beat softened butter on medium-high speed until creamy and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, and beat until smooth. Beat in vanilla.
3️⃣ Color the frosting:
- Divide frosting into 3 or 4 bowls. Tint each bowl with a different Halloween color: vibrant purple, slime green, pumpkin orange, or even black.
4️⃣ Frost & decorate:
- Pipe or generously spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Add candy eyeballs (the more, the sillier!), sprinkles, marshmallow “teeth,” licorice “hair,” or anything else that makes your monsters unique.
5️⃣ Have fun with it!
- No two monsters should look alike — let your creativity run wild.
Notes
- You can use a white cake mix and tint the cake batter different colors for a surprise inside.
- Make buttercream a day in advance and keep it in the fridge — bring to room temp before using.
- Love a taller swirl of frosting? Double the buttercream recipe.