Description
These Spider Web Halloween Cupcakes are a spooky and delicious treat perfect for Halloween celebrations. Featuring moist, rich chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy vanilla frosting and adorned with a whimsical spider web design made from white cotton candy, these cupcakes are sure to impress guests of all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 2 cups sugar
- 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Vanilla Frosting
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar (adjust to taste and consistency)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Decoration
- 2 containers of white cotton candy
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the sugar, all-purpose flour, dark cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined and smooth, careful not to overmix.
- Add Boiling Water: Slowly pour in the boiling water while stirring gently to create a thin batter, which will make the cupcakes moist and tender.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Pour the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full for proper rising.
- Bake: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove cupcakes from oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk and vanilla extract, and beat until fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them evenly with the vanilla buttercream using a knife or piping bag.
- Create Spider Web Decoration: Gently pull small amounts of white cotton candy and stretch them into thin web-like strands. Carefully place the cotton candy spider webs on top of each frosted cupcake to resemble eerie spider webs.
Notes
- Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Handle cotton candy decoration gently as it dissolves quickly with moisture or heat.
- You can substitute dark cocoa powder with natural cocoa powder for a slightly different flavor.
- To make spider decorations, consider adding small plastic spiders or edible decorations for added Halloween effect.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
