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–+ servings
Easy Halloween Cupcakes

Easy Halloween Cupcakes

These Easy Halloween Cupcakes are a spooky treat with rich chocolate flavor, a surprise jam filling, and dramatic 'blood' drips — perfect for haunted parties and creepy dessert tables!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • ½ cup raspberry or cherry jam
  • a few drops red food coloring
  • optional black food coloring for frosting

Equipment

  • muffin pan
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • electric mixer
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • piping bag or spoon
  • small knife or corer
  • cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with Halloween-themed liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Pour dry ingredients into wet and mix gently until combined without overmixing.
  5. Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full. Bake 18–22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
  6. Warm jam in a pan and add red food coloring. If needed, thicken with cornstarch.
  7. Core a hole in each cupcake. Fill with jam using spoon or piping bag. Replace tops.
  8. Beat butter for frosting, then add powdered sugar and cream until fluffy. Tint with black or other colors if desired.
  9. Frost cupcakes high. Drip jam around edges. Decorate with spooky toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 2gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 380IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Use gel food coloring for vivid tones without thinning your frosting. Chill cupcakes before adding jam for better drip control. Customize with red velvet, vanilla, or pumpkin spice for variation. Decorate with candy knives, eyeballs, or edible glitter for extra drama.

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