These fun Monster Cupcakes are perfect for a Halloween party or just for a fun Halloween treat. Make an assortment of colors and add monster eyes for the best Halloween cupcakes.
I have been making cupcakes since the kids were little. This cupcake recipe is surprisingly simple but the results are absolutely adorable.
It is the easiest cupcake idea and perfect for Halloween. These Monster Cupcakes look so fun and taste delicious with buttercream frosting.
We made the cupcakes in an assortment of blue, red, green and orange.
If you are looking for more Halloween Desserts, make these Halloween Monster Eyeballs. Another fun treat is Monster Donuts.
What's in this post: The Best Monster Cupcakes Recipe
Why We Love This Recipe
- It uses a box cake mix. The process is quick and easy using a cake mix.
- Mix and match the Monsters. You can choose your favorite colors to mix and match. This recipe is so fun and easy to adapt.
- Festive and Fun. The Monsters are absolutely perfect to make Halloween even more fun.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- Vanilla Cake Mix. Use your favorite brand of cake mix. Any will work!
Frosting
- Unsalted Butter. Room temperature is best as it’s easier to combine.
- Powdered Sugar. I like to sift the powdered sugar, so it is smooth.
- Heavy Cream. This gives the frosting such a rich taste.
Decorations
- Bright Blue, Red, Green and Orange gel Food Coloring. Gel food coloring is most vibrant.
- Candy Eyeballs. You will need various sizes for the donuts.
- Oreo Cookies. Just regular Oreo cookies and not double stuffed.
Scroll to the bottom to find the complete ingredient list in the recipe card.
Substitutions and Additions
- Decorate some cupcakes with long fur and some with short fur. The variety will be fun displayed together.
- Use different size eyeballs. It makes the cupcakes even more fun if you use an assortment of candy eyeball sizes.
- Instead of the Oreo Cookies, use the eyeballs for the mouth. Simply, turn them upside down and form the mouth shape.
- Switch out the cake mix. We used vanilla but you can really use any flavor you desire. Try using white, funfetti, chocolate, strawberry or even lemon.
- Try other type of cookies. You can use chocolate chip, vanilla wafers or anything you prefer instead of the Oreo cookies.
How to Make Monster Cupcakes
- Step 1. Preheat the oven and prepare the muffin tin. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 cupcake pans with liners.
Step 2. Combine the cake mix according to the package instructions. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 18-21 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 3. While the cupcakes cool on a wire rack, beat the butter. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until it’s creamy. I like to use a stand mixer.
Step 4. Slowly add the powdered sugar into the butter mixture. Make sure that the powdered sugar is completely mixed in before adding more.
Step 5. Mix in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is a good consistency.
Step 6. Divide the frosting evenly into 4 bowls. Dye them each a different color.
Step 7. Place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with grass piping tips. I like to start toward the outside of the cupcake and work my way in. Decorate an assortment to include blue, red, green and orange monsters.
Step 8. Then decorate the cupcakes with the candy eyes using various sizes and numbers. Use the Oreos cut into half or used whole to make the mouths on the monsters.
Step 9. Serve and enjoy.
Pro Tips
- Refrigerate the icing if needed. If the frosting becomes too soft while piping, simply place in the fridge for a few minutes until the desired texture.
- Keep the piping bag twisted. The frosting will sneak out the top if you do not keep the bag twisted.
- The cupcakes don’t have to be perfect. Don’t stress out if you mess up the icing design. They are monsters and perfection isn’t necessary. In fact, the imperfections make these even better!
- Allow to cool completely. The cupcakes need to be totally cool before decorating. The icing will melt and the adorable faces will lose its shape.
Storage
Store the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also refrigerate the cupcakes for up to 1 week. Just note that refrigerating the cupcakes can change the texture and dry them out after some time.
If you need to make these in advance for a party, just make them the day before. Allow them to sit on the counter at room temperature and then serve when ready. They will still taste and look great while saving yourself some time on party day.
More Fun Cupcake Recipes
- Cookie Monster Cupcakes
- Pinata Cupcakes
- Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
- Halloween Cupcakes
- Spider Web Cupcakes
I can’t wait for you to try these cupcakes for Halloween. Please leave a comment and a star recipe rating once you make them!
Monster Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 pkg Vanilla Cake Mix 16 ounces
- 1 1/4 cup Water
- 1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Large Eggs
For the Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter room temperature
- 4 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
For the Decorations:
- Bright Blue Red, Green and Orange Food Coloring
- Candy Eyeballs various sizes
- Oreo Cookies
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 cupcake pans with liners.
- In a large mix bowl, stir together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them approximately ¾ full.
- Bake for 18-21 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Cool completely on wire racks.
For the Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until it’s creamy, light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix the powdered sugar into the butter mixture ½ cup at a time. Make sure that the powdered sugar is completely mixed in before adding more.
- Turn the mixer speed to low and add in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Beat for approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute until the frosting is a good consistency.
- Divide the frosting evenly into 4 bowls and dye them each a different vibrant color.
For the Decorations:
- Place the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a grass icing tip. Then pipe the “fur” onto each of the cupcakes. Start toward the outside of the cupcakes and work our way in.
- Make 6 blue monsters, 6 red monsters, 6 green monsters and 6 orange monsters.
- Then decorate the cupcakes with the candy eyes (various sizes and numbers) and use the Oreos (some whole and some cut in half) to make the months on the monsters.
- Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!
