Description
Deliciously spooky Monster Mash Chocolate Cupcakes perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot coffee (optional but recommended)
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Orange food coloring (gel preferred, for frosting)
- Fondant (black and white) for decorations
- Candy eyeballs (optional)
- Black gel icing for details
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat together sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- Mix in the buttermilk, then gradually add the dry ingredients.
- Stir in the hot coffee until batter is smooth (it will be thin).
- Fill liners ¾ full and bake for 18–20 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.
- Beat softened butter until fluffy (2–3 minutes) for the frosting.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, alternating with milk/cream, until smooth.
- Mix in vanilla and orange food coloring.
- Transfer to a piping bag with a star or swirl tip.
- Pipe orange swirls of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.
- Shape fondant into horns, sharp teeth, and eyes (or use candy eyeballs for easy prep).
- Place horns and eyes into the frosting.
- Stick on teeth around the edges so they peek out like fangs.
- Add pupils with black gel icing and any extra scary details (like scars or mouths).
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use hot coffee in the batter.
- Ensure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting.
- Decorate immediately after frosting for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg