Description
Delightfully spooky and fun, these Monster Cupcakes are perfect for any Halloween celebration or themed party. Moist vanilla cupcakes are topped with creamy vanilla buttercream dyed in vibrant colors, then decorated with candy eyes and Oreo cookies to create monstrous faces that are sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
For Cupcakes:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Frosting and Decorating:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Gel food colors of your choice (red, orange, green recommended)
- Oreos for decoration – 7-8 (a mix of large and small sizes)
- Candy eyes – 30-35 pieces
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with cupcake liners. This ensures easy removal and cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Stir well to distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together buttermilk, egg, melted and cooled butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in batches, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep cupcakes tender.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, portion the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about 3/4 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes in the baking tray, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing well. Divide the frosting into separate bowls and add gel food coloring to each to achieve desired colors.
- Decorate: Frost the cooled cupcakes with the colored buttercream. Use Oreos and candy eyes to create fun monster faces and designs on each cupcake, using the larger Oreos for mouths and the candy eyes to give spooky expressions.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure the cupcakes remain moist and tender.
- Ensure butter for frosting is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Use gel-based food coloring to avoid thinning the frosting.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
