Description
Delight in these festive Halloween Cupcakes featuring a moist strawberry cake base topped with a luscious strawberry buttercream frosting. Perfectly enhanced with swirled piping designs resembling zombie brains and a drizzle of strawberry syrup to mimic eerie ‘blood,’ these cupcakes make a show-stopping treat for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces) plus oil, water, and eggs as required by the package instructions
For the Frosting
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
- ¼ cup strawberry syrup for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcakes: Use the strawberry cake mix to prepare 24 cupcakes according to the package instructions, including the required amounts of oil, water, and eggs. Bake as directed, then allow the cupcakes to cool completely before decorating to ensure the frosting doesn’t melt.
- Make the Strawberry Buttercream: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter on medium speed until fluffy and smooth. Add the strawberry jam and continue mixing on medium speed until fully incorporated for rich flavor.
- Add the Powdered Sugar: While mixing on medium-low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until fully incorporated and the buttercream becomes thick and creamy.
- Flavor the Frosting: Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt, then mix on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and well blended.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Use an offset spatula to spread a thin, even layer of the strawberry buttercream on top of each cooled cupcake. This base layer does not require perfection, as it serves as a foundation for the decorative piping.
- Pipe the Zombie Brain Design: Transfer the remaining frosting into a piping bag fitted with a small round frosting tip. Pipe a curved line down the center of each cupcake, resembling an ‘L’ shape. Then, create swirls and squiggles radiating from the curve to cover one half of the cupcake, mimicking a brain texture. Repeat the design on the other half of each cupcake.
- Finish with Strawberry Syrup: Place the decorated cupcakes on a rimmed serving tray and lightly drizzle with strawberry syrup to create a ‘blood’ effect, enhancing the Halloween theme.
- Storage: Store the frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For the best presentation and freshness, drizzle the strawberry syrup just before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- You can substitute strawberry syrup with raspberry syrup for a similar effect if preferred.
- The piping technique takes practice; using a small round tip will help achieve the detailed brain design.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate if your environment is warm.
- Drizzle the strawberry syrup just before serving to maintain the drip effect and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
