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Halloween Red Velvet Cupcakes

These spooky Halloween cupcakes feature classic red velvet cake that looks like blood-red inside, topped with white cream cheese frosting and fun decorations like spider webs or candy eyes.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cupcakes:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1½ cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring liquid or gel
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Orange food coloring optional

For Halloween Decorations:

  • Black and orange sprinkles
  • Candy eyes
  • Halloween candy toppers
  • Plastic spider rings
  • Black decorating gel

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 24 muffin cups with Halloween-themed or black cupcake liners.
  • Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine evenly.
  • Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat eggs, then add oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar. Mix until well combined and bright red.
  • Make batter: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix until just combined - don't overmix. Batter will be thick and vibrant red.
  • Fill cupcake liners: Fill each liner about 2/3 full with batter. Use an ice cream scoop for even portions.
  • Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Don't overbake or they'll be dry.
  • Cool: Let cupcakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
  • Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Add vanilla. Divide and tint some orange if desired.
  • Decorate: Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cupcakes. Add Halloween decorations like spider rings, candy eyes, or pipe spider webs with black gel.
  • Serve: Display on Halloween-themed cake stand or arrange in shape of pumpkin or spider for dramatic presentation.
Keyword Halloween Red Velvet Cupcakes