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Best Ghost Marshmallow Pop Cupcakes for Halloween

Best Ghost Marshmallow Pop Cupcakes for Halloween - featured image
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These spooky yet adorable ghost marshmallow pop cupcakes feature moist chocolate cake, a creamy vanilla frosting, and a chocolate crumb ‘dirt’ topping, all crowned with a cute marshmallow ghost on a stick. Perfect for Halloween parties, they look like a professional bakery creation but come together with simple ingredients and a little love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Ghirardelli)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature (or 2%)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 12 large marshmallows (standard size, not jumbo)
  • 12 lollipop sticks or paper straws
  • 1 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening
  • Black gel food coloring
  • 1 cup chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs (about 8–10 Oreos, crushed fine)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
  2. Make the cupcake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Add the hot water: Pour in the cup of hot water and stir gently until the batter is smooth. It will look thin—that’s normal.
  4. Fill and bake: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Make the marshmallow ghosts: While the cupcakes cool, insert a lollipop stick into each marshmallow, pushing about halfway through. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the white candy melts with the coconut oil in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth. Dip each marshmallow into the melted coating, letting the excess drip off. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set (about 10 minutes). Once set, use the black gel food coloring to pipe little ghost faces on each one (t…
  6. Make the chocolate crumb topping: Crush the chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs. Mix the crumbs with the melted butter until it looks like wet sand. Set aside.
  7. Make the vanilla frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Add the heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is light and fluffy. Beat on medium-high for another 2 minutes until smooth and spreadable.
  8. Assemble the cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting on each one. Sprinkle the chocolate crumb topping over the frosting, pressing gently so it sticks.
  9. Insert the ghost pops: Gently push the stick of each marshmallow ghost into the center of a cupcake, right through the frosting and into the cake.
  10. Chill to set: Pop the assembled cupcakes in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. Take them out about 10 minutes before serving so they come to room temperature.

Notes

Don’t skip the hot water—it blooms the cocoa powder for a deeper flavor and moist crumb. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to avoid melting. Work in batches with the candy coating; if it thickens, microwave for 10 seconds. Use a light hand with black gel for ghost faces. Bake cupcakes and make ghosts a day ahead; assemble day of party for freshest look.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, ghost cupcakes, marshmallow pops, chocolate cupcakes, Halloween dessert, spooky cupcakes, easy Halloween recipe

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/best-ghost-marshmallow-pop-cupcakes-for-halloween/