Description
These colorful Monster Mash Halloween Cupcakes are ultra-moist thanks to a rich chocolate espresso base, topped with swirls of spooky buttercream in green and orange, creepy candy eyes, and dark chocolate drips. This recipe makes double the fun—perfect for parties or treat tables.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
1 cup sour cream (240g)
2 cups buttermilk (480mL)
6 large eggs
3 cups strong hot coffee (720mL; brewed like espresso)
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil (360mL)
2 tbsp vanilla extract (30mL)
6 cups all-purpose flour (720g)
5 1/3 cups granulated sugar (1070g)
1 cup cocoa powder (130g)
3 tsp baking powder (12g)
2 tbsp baking soda (36g)
2 tsp kosher salt (10g)
Buttercream:
6 tsp vanilla extract (30mL)
2 lbs confectioners’ sugar (900g)
2 cups unsalted butter (500g), room temp
6 tbsp heavy cream (90mL)
Green, orange, and black food coloring
Assembly:
Brown M&Ms (regular + peanut for eyes and pupils)
3/4 cup melted dark chocolate (150g)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 48 muffin cups.
Whisk sour cream, buttermilk, eggs, coffee, oil, and vanilla.
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt.
Combine wet with dry until smooth.
Fill liners 3/4 full. Bake 18–22 min. Cool completely.
Beat butter for frosting, add sugar, vanilla, and cream. Divide and tint in orange and green.
Pipe tall swirls on cupcakes. Add M&M “eyes” (regular as base, peanut M&Ms halved for pupils).
Drizzle melted chocolate for monster hair or ooze.
Twists & Tips
Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for extra gooeyness.
Use crushed Oreos for a “dirt” topping under the frosting.
Try peppermint or raspberry extract in half the buttercream for flavor contrast.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 26g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 3g