Description
These Halloween cupcakes feature moist strawberry cake topped with a rich and fluffy strawberry buttercream frosting, artistically piped to resemble zombie brains. The final touch is a drizzle of sweet strawberry syrup that mimics dripping blood, perfect for a spooky yet delicious treat at your Halloween gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces), plus oil, water, and eggs as required by the package
For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
- ¼ cup strawberry syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcakes: Follow the package instructions on the strawberry cake mix to prepare 24 cupcakes by adding the specified amounts of oil, water, and eggs. Bake the cupcakes until done, about 15 minutes, then allow them to cool completely before decorating.
- Cream the Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter on medium speed until it becomes fluffy and smooth.
- Add Strawberry Jam: Add the strawberry jam to the butter and mix on medium speed until completely combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Powdered Sugar: While mixing on medium-low speed, gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time, ensuring each addition is fully combined before adding the next, until all 4 cups are incorporated.
- Add Vanilla and Salt: Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt, then mix on medium speed until the frosting is uniform and creamy.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Using an offset spatula, apply a thin layer of the strawberry buttercream frosting on top of each cupcake to create a base layer that does not need to be perfect.
- Pipe Zombie Brain Frosting: Transfer the remaining frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a curved line down the center of each cupcake resembling an ‘L’ shape, then pipe swirls and squiggles radiating from this line to cover half the cupcake, mimicking a brain pattern. Repeat on the other side to complete the effect.
- Add Strawberry Syrup Drizzle: Place the decorated cupcakes on a rimmed serving tray and drizzle lightly with strawberry syrup for a blood-like effect. For best presentation, add the syrup drizzle just before serving.
- Storage: Store the frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To maintain the fresh look of the syrup ‘blood,’ drizzle the strawberry syrup right before serving.
Notes
- Be sure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting the buttercream.
- Use fresh and softened unsalted butter for a smooth frosting texture.
- The strawberry syrup drizzle can be substituted with raspberry syrup for a more tart flavor.
- For a more intense strawberry flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of strawberry extract to the frosting.
- Keep cupcakes refrigerated if storing for more than one day to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
