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Spooky Black Velvet Cupcakes with Orange Frosting

black velvet halloween cupcakes - featured image
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These spooky black velvet cupcakes are rich, moist, and topped with a vibrant orange buttercream frosting. Perfect for Halloween parties, they come together easily with simple ingredients and a fun, kid-approved technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (25g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon black gel food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon orange extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl or large liquid measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and slightly frothy.
  4. In a tiny bowl, mix the black gel food coloring with about 1 tablespoon of the dry flour mixture to form a paste. Add this paste to the wet ingredients and whisk until the color is uniform.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the white vinegar. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed after each addition. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  11. Add the orange gel food coloring, a tiny drop at a time, and beat until you reach your desired shade. If using orange extract, add it now.
  12. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip or simply spread with a knife.

Notes

Don’t skip the buttermilk—it’s essential for the velvet texture. Use gel food coloring for true black and vibrant orange. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. For best results, use room temperature ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, black velvet cupcakes, orange frosting, spooky cupcakes, black cupcakes, Halloween dessert

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/spooky-black-velvet-cupcakes-with-orange-frosting/