35 Best Halloween Cupcakes for Extra-Spooky Sweetness
They're a great way to use up that candy, too.
If all the ghouls and goblins in your life have a serious sweet tooth, why stop at just store-bought candy on Halloween? Instead, you can get in the spooky spirit with these adorable Halloween cupcake ideas! Whether you make graveyard brownie cupcakes with cookie “tombstones” or cupcakes topped with fluffy buttercream ghosts, the fun cupcake decorating ideas are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Of course, Halloween cupcakes are always a crowd-pleaser at parties, bake sales, or neighborhood potlucks, but they're also fun if you're just looking for a Halloween activity to do with the kids. They'll have so much fun making dirt cupcakes with gummy worms or simply using Halloween sprinkles to decorate. You’ll also find some seasonal fall cupcakes, too. Check out the caramel apple cupcakes or spiced pumpkin cupcakes, to name a few.
If the thought of baking cupcakes has you feeling terrified, don’t close your eyes! All of these cupcakes are easy to make and some even start with a box of cake mix. You can skip complicated piping and just focus on spooky Halloween colors for them. Even better yet, you can use up any extra Halloween candy for decorating. And if you need more sweet ideas, don't forget to check out the list of the best Halloween cookies and Halloween cakes. With all of these frightfully-fun ideas, your Halloween dessert spread will go from spooky to spookier!
Ghost Cupcakes
That fluffy frosting, those peering eyes—these friendly ghost cupcakes are the ultimate Halloween treat. The best part is that it they're super easy to make because they start with boxed cake mix.
Get the Ghost Cupcakes recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Is it truly a fall holiday celebration without pumpkin spice? These cupcakes are tender and moist with warm, cozy spices, topped with a tangy, just‑sweet‑enough maple swirl.
Get Ree's Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes recipe.
Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Doctor up cake mix to make these cute treats! Not only are they topped with caramel frosting, but there's a surprise salted caramel filling and a crunchy caramel corn topping.
Get the Salted Caramel Cupcakes recipe.
Cookies 'n' Cream Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a bestseller at Ree's Mercantile Bakery in Pawhuska, but they can easily double as Halloween treats, too. Look for Halloween-themed Oreos for a hint of orange filling!
Get Ree's Cookies 'n' Cream Cupcakes recipe.
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Caramel and apple go together like peanut butter and jelly. Basically, they're meant to be when fall hits! They're both sweet and seasonal.
Get Ree's Caramel Apple Cupcakes recipe.
Chocolate Cream Cupcakes
Trick those treaters with look-alikes! These cute throwback cupcakes look and taste like classic treats you loved back when you were a kid.
Get Ree's Chocolate Cream Cupcakes recipe.
Dr Pepper Cupcakes
They might not be spooky, but these cupcakes will be quite a surprise with a nice pumpkin spice flavor. You can change up the cupcake liners to be more Halloween festive or add some sprinkles!
Get Ree's Dr Pepper Cupcakes recipe.
Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes
If you need a boost of caffeine (and sugar!) to get you through the long night ahead, try these java-flavored cupcakes drizzled with caramel.
Get the Caramel Macchiato Cupcakes recipe.
Spider Web Chocolate Cupcakes
The secret to these spooky webs is a simple: a toothpick! First you pipe contrasting chocolate circles and all you need to do is pull a toothpick through them while they're still wet.
Get the Spider Web Chocolate Cupcakes recipe at Kitchen Sanctuary.
Witch Cupcakes
If you really want to impress all the ghouls and goblins with your piping skills, get a load of these witches! The hats are made out of ice cream cones and the faces are actually piped frosting. Give it a go... if you dare!
Candy Corn Cupcakes
You can make candy corn cupcakes without even using candy corn! That means even the naysayers will want to grab one. All you need is colored frosting and some matching sprinkles.
Frankenstein Cupcakes
It's so easy to recreate Frankenstein's monster! You just need some green frosting, Kinder Bueno for the bolts, black icing for the mouth and hair, and some candy eyeballs.
Black Cat Cupcakes
These cupcakes are purr-fect for your next Halloween party. Decorating them simply requires chocolate frosting and sprinkles, plus candy eyes and chocolate candies for the ears and whiskers.
15-Minute Spiderweb Cupcakes
Want to make a big impact in a short amount of time? All you need are some plastic spiders and some store-bought cotton candy. A layer of purple frosting adds a fun color pop.
Get the 15-Minute Spiderweb Cupcakes recipe at Dream a Little Bigger.
Black Velvet Cupcakes with Raspberry Jam
Black velvet is both eery and tasty. And guess what? So is raspberry jam if you thin it out and drizzle it on top to look a little bloody.
Get the Black Velvet Cupcakes with Raspberry Jam recipe at A Cookie Named Desire.
Skeleton Cupcakes
Throw yourself a bone and make these easy cupcakes using white chocolate-covered pretzels and fluffy marshmallows. A food-grade edible marker helps bring the skeletons back to life!
Halloween Dirt Cupcakes
Don't be squeamish! A simple dusting of cookie crumbs and gummy worms make these chocolate cupcakes look like frightfully fun treat.
Get the Halloween Dirt Cupcakes recipe at Little Sunny Kitchen.
Hocus Pocus Cupcakes
Hocus Pocus fans will love these simple treats! Each one uses different colors (orange, purple, and yellow) to signify the infamous Sanderson Sisters.
Get the Hocus Pocus Cupcakes recipe.
Graveyard Brownie Cupcakes
These spooky cupcakes will delight kids and adults alike! The tombstones are made from cinnamon-spiced cookies dipped in icing, so they’re just as sweet as the cake itself.
Purple Monster Cupcakes
Try this fun frosting technique: Use a piping bag fitted with a grass tip to make the hairy details on these monster cupcakes.
Get the Purple Monster Cupcakes recipe at The Inspired Edit.
Welcome Fall with a Wreath on Your Front Door
Shop Anthropologie’s Chic Halloween Collection
When to Decorate for Fall, Plus a Handy Checklist!
Lenox Just Released a Halloween Spice Village
