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Strawberry Halloween Cupcakes with Creepy Brain Frosting Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 120 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cupcakes, 24 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Halloween Cupcakes are a spooky and delicious treat featuring moist strawberry-flavored cupcakes topped with a rich, creamy strawberry buttercream frosting. Decorated with an easy piping technique to resemble creepy zombie brains and finished with a drizzle of strawberry syrup for a blood-like effect, these cupcakes combine festive flair with irresistible flavor perfect for Halloween parties.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes

  • 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces), plus oil, water, and eggs as required to prepare cupcakes

Buttercream Frosting

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
  • 1/2 cup strawberry jam
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch kosher salt

Decoration

  • 1/4 cup strawberry syrup (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cupcakes: Use the box strawberry cake mix to prepare 24 cupcakes according to the package instructions. Once baked, allow the cupcakes to cool completely before moving to frosting.
  2. Cream Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter on medium speed until it becomes fluffy and smooth.
  3. Add Strawberry Jam: Mix in the strawberry jam on medium speed until it is fully incorporated with the butter, forming a flavorful base for the frosting.
  4. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: While mixing on medium-low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, ensuring each addition is fully blended before adding the next, to create a smooth, thick buttercream.
  5. Add Vanilla & Salt: Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt, then mix on medium speed until the frosting is uniformly blended and smooth.
  6. Frost Cupcakes: Using an offset spatula, thinly frost the top of each cooled cupcake with the prepared strawberry buttercream. This layer serves as the base for the decorative piping and does not need to be perfect.
  7. Pipe Brain Frosting: Transfer remaining buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a line with a curve down the center of each cupcake, then create swirls and squiggles radiating from the line to mimic the look of a brain. Repeat on both halves of the cupcake surface.
  8. Drizzle Strawberry Syrup: Place decorated cupcakes on a rimmed serving tray and lightly drizzle with strawberry syrup to create a blood-like effect, enhancing the Halloween theme.
  9. Storage & Serving: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For best presentation, drizzle the strawberry syrup just before serving.

Notes

  • Skip the store-bought decorations—homemade strawberry cake and buttercream provide rich flavor and the piping technique creates an impressively spooky look with minimal effort.
  • Use fresh strawberry syrup drizzle to add a realistic ‘bloody’ touch perfect for Halloween events.
  • The buttercream can be adjusted for sweetness or tartness by varying the amount of strawberry jam and powdered sugar.
  • Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of the buttercream.
  • Store decorated cupcakes in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cupcake
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 33 g
  • Sodium: 126 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg

Find it online: https://lazydayrecipes.com/strawberry-halloween-cupcakes-with-creepy-brain-frosting-recipe/