Recipe: Halloween Cupcakes

Recipe by Sowmya Johorey

Bring a little Halloween magic to your dessert table with these spooky chocolate cupcakes! Topped with playful green monster frosting and orange pumpkin swirls, these treats are perfect for Halloween parties, festive gatherings or a fun baking session with family.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 30–35 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

• Oil: 26 ml
• Butter: 25 g
• Sugar: 75 g
• All-purpose flour: 90 g
• Cocoa powder: 20 g
• Baking powder: 2 g
• Baking soda: 1 g
• Salt: A pinch
• Milk: 60 ml
• Vinegar: 3 ml

For the Whipped Cream Frosting:

• Whipping cream: 200 ml, chilled
• Sugar: 20 g
• Orange gel food colour: 2–3 drops
• Green gel food colour: 3–4 drops

For Decoration

• White chocolate: A little, for the eyes
• Dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips: For pupils and facial details

Get the ingredients here

Method

Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C for 15–20 minutes. Line a cupcake tray with 4 liners.
2. Whisk oil, butter and sugar until well combined.
3. Add milk and vinegar. Whisk until smooth.
4. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth. Avoid overmixing.
6. Divide the batter into 4 cupcake moulds, approximately 70 g each.
7. Bake at 180°C for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
8. Cool completely before decorating.

Prepare the Frosting:

1. Whip the chilled cream with sugar until stiff peaks form.
2. Divide the frosting into two portions.
3. Add orange gel colour to one portion and green to the other.
4. Fold gently until evenly coloured.
5. Transfer into separate piping bags.

Decorate the Monster Cupcakes:

1. Pipe green frosting generously onto 2 cooled cupcakes to create a textured monster look.
2. Melt a little white chocolate and spoon small round dots onto baking parchment.
3. Let the dots set slightly. Add dark chocolate pupils using a toothpick, or press mini chocolate chips into the white chocolate.
4. Let the chocolate eyes set, then place 2 eyes on each cupcake.
5. Use melted dark chocolate to add a playful mouth, if desired.

Decorate the Pumpkin Cupcakes:

1. Pipe orange frosting onto the remaining 2 cupcakes in circular swirls.
2. Use a toothpick to gently create vertical lines for a pumpkin-like effect.
3. Pipe a small green frosting stem on top of each cupcake.

To Serve:

Arrange the monster and pumpkin cupcakes on a serving plate and serve chilled.

Pro Tips:

• Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
• Use a star or round piping nozzle for neat designs.
• Keep decorated cupcakes refrigerated until serving, as whipped cream frosting is perishable.
• Make the chocolate eyes in advance for easier decorating.