Description
Delightfully festive Halloween Cupcakes featuring moist strawberry cake topped with a luscious homemade strawberry buttercream. These cupcakes are decorated with whimsical ‘zombie brain’ swirls and finished with a drizzle of strawberry syrup, making them perfect for spooky celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces) plus oil, water, and eggs as required by the package
For the Strawberry Buttercream
- 2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup), softened
- ½ cup strawberry jam
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
For Decoration
- ¼ cup strawberry syrup for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare Cupcakes: Preheat your oven and prepare 24 cupcakes according to the instructions on the strawberry cake mix box, using the specified oil, water, and eggs. Bake as directed, then let the cupcakes cool completely before decorating to ensure the frosting doesn’t melt.
- Make Strawberry Buttercream: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter on medium speed until fluffy and smooth. Add the strawberry jam and continue mixing on medium speed until fully combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Lower the mixer speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, making sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next. Continue until all 4 cups are blended in.
- Finish Buttercream: Add vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt to the buttercream, then mix on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Base Frosting: Using an offset spatula, spread a thin, even layer of the strawberry buttercream over the top of each cupcake. This doesn’t have to be perfect as it serves as the base layer for the decorative frosting.
- Pipe Brain Design: Transfer the remaining buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a line with a curved end resembling an ‘L’ shape down the center of each cupcake. Next, create swirls and squiggles radiating from the curve to cover one half of the cupcake, mimicking a zombie brain. Repeat the same process on the other side, filling each cupcake with intricate frosting designs.
- Final Touch: Arrange the cupcakes on a rimmed serving tray. Just before serving, drizzle lightly with the strawberry syrup to resemble dripping ‘blood’ enhancing the spooky appearance.
- Storage: Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It’s best to add the strawberry syrup drizzle right before serving to keep the cupcakes fresh and visually appealing.
Notes
- For best results, ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- The strawberry syrup drizzle adds a dramatic ‘bloody’ effect and should be added just before serving.
- Use a small round piping tip for detailed ‘brain’ designs; practice on a plate if needed.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated, depending on your climate.
- These cupcakes can be made a day ahead and assembled on the day of the event.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
