Go Back
+ servings
Close up of decorated Halloween cupcake ideas with chocolate frosting, candy, sprinkles on a vintage cooling rack.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Halloween Cupcake Ideas

Bake these Halloween Cupcakes topped with fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting, and that are cute and not too spooky. Decorate these classic Halloween desserts with Halloween treats like candy, sweets, and sprinkles. The options are endless, my favorites are the chocolate tombstones and Oreo dirt, colorful sprinkles, giant gumballs, and the spooky candy eyeballs.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
decorating20 minutes
Total Time48 minutes
Course: Desserts & Sweets
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Halloween cupcake decorations, Halloween cupcake ideas, Halloween Cupcakes, Halloween Dessert, halloween food ideas
Servings: 24
Calories: 540kcal

Ingredients

Chocolate Cupcakes

  • 1 boxed chocolate cake mix
  • 3 eggs eggs called for on cake mix box
  • ½ cup vegetable oil vegetable oil called for on cake mix box
  • 1 ¼ cups water water called for on cake mix

Chocolate Frosting

  • 2 cups salted butter room temperature (4 sticks)
  • 1 cup vegetable shortening
  • 10 cups powder sugar (confectioners sugar)
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4-6 tablespoons hot water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional but so good)

bake cupcakes

    Instructions

    Mix Buttercream Chocolate Frosting

    • Beat soft butter and shortening in a mixer on high until creamy for 5 minutes.
    • At low speed, add 10 cups powder sugar 1 cup at a time until smooth.
    • On high speed, add hot water, mix until fluffy and smooth. Scrape down the bowl, add more hot water if necessary until frosting is smooth.
    • Add vanilla extract and almond extract. Add 1 cup cocoa powder, mix well.

    Bake Cupcakes

    • Mix your cupcake batter according to the box, or make homemade.
    • Scoop your cupcake batter with a 2" scoop into paper liners.
    • Bake in the oven according to the directions on the box. Cupcakes typicalls bake between 14-19 minutes at 350 degrees. Use a toothpick to see if baked. Cool on a rack.

    Decorate

    • Frost your cupcakes with a small offset spatula or pipe your chocolate frosting with a large tip and piping bag.
    • Gather your Halloween candy, sprinkles, gum balls, small toys like plastic eyeballs, crushed Oreos for dirt, or other decorations you love. Decorate your cupcakes and have fun! I made chocolate tombstones and bones with a simple candy mold.

    Video

    Notes

    Cupcake Decorations

    • Halloween Candy ~ Reeses and Kit Kat Candy
    • Gumballs
    • Candy Corn
    • Crushed Oreos for "dirt"
    • Black Licorice
    • Chocolate Tombstones and Bones
    • Chocolate Bones (White Chocolate Candy Melts)
    • Sprinkles - orange, yellow, brown
    • Colored Sugar - Orange, Black, Purple, Green
    • Candy Eyeballs
    • Small Halloween Toys - Big plastic eyeballs, Fingers etc
    • Cupcake Picks - Skulls, Ghosts, Pumpkins, Black Cats

    Nutrition

    Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 503IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg