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Spooky Halloween Cupcakes

These playful Halloween cupcakes are made with rich chocolate batter and colorful decorations, resulting in a moist, tender crumb with a fun, spooky appearance. They’re perfect for costume parties, blending chaos with sweetness through creative decorating and festive flavors. Each batch is uniquely charming, with vibrant colors and creepy details that delight both eyes and taste buds.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder Dutch-processed preferred
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup chocolate chips or mini candies for folding into batter

Equipment

  • Muffin tin & liners
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Cooling rack
  • Decorating bags & tips
  • Spatula & spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a muffin tin with colorful liners.
  2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to combine evenly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy and light, about 3 minutes. You should hear it become airy and see it turn a pale color.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, until the batter looks smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Stir in the vanilla extract and a splash of buttermilk, mixing just until combined. The batter should be glossy and smooth.
  6. Gently fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Then, fold in the chocolate chips or mini candies for bursts of fun inside the cupcakes.
  7. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. The batter should look slightly domed and colorful.
  8. Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You’ll smell rich chocolate and cocoa aroma filling your kitchen.
  9. Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. They should be set and slightly risen, with a gentle cracking on top.
  10. Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before decorating. They should feel light and springy to the touch.
  11. Decorate with colorful icing, creepy sprinkles, or spooky edible decorations to bring your Halloween theme to life. Have fun creating splatters or spooky faces for a playful, chaotic look!
  12. Enjoy your vibrant, spooky cupcakes with friends and family, marveling at their spooky charm and rich chocolate flavor!

Notes

Feel free to experiment with different decorations and colors to make each batch uniquely spooky. Using mini candies or colored icing helps enhance the playful chaos of these cupcakes.