Spider Web Cupcakes

5 from 4 votes

Published on July 29, 2023

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Make these tasty Spider Web Cupcakes for your next Halloween party. It’s such an easy Halloween recipe to make and looks festive for the season.

Spider Web Cupcakes

This fun Halloween dessert recipe starts with a cake mix so it’s super easy. The homemade frosting on top with the cool spider web design takes it up a level. It is the perfect Halloween party treat.

Halloween spider web cupcakes make a fun tradition to start with the kids and turns out great every time. They taste delicious and look perfect for a spooky treat.

We also have 55 Halloween Cupcakes you will love to try. The ideas are endless for fun and delicious Halloween treats.

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

Chocolate Cake Mix 16 ounces
Water
Vegetable Oil
Large Eggs

Frosting:

Unsalted Butter, softened
Powdered Sugar
Milk
Clear Vanilla Extract

For the Spider Web Design:

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Shortening

How to make Spider Web Cupcakes:

Step 1. Preheat the oven and add cupcake liners to the pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 cupcake pans with liners.

Step 2. Combine the cake mix ingredients. In a large mix bowl, stir together the cake mix, water, vegetable oil and eggs.

Step 3. Fill the cupcake liners with batter. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them approximately ¾ full.

Step 4. Bake the cupcakes. Bake for 18-21 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean.

Step 5. Allow to cool completely. Cool the chocolate cupcakes completely on wire racks.

Frosting:

Step 1. Combine the butter and sugar. Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth.
Step 2. Add the milk and beat until fluffy. Add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Step 3. Frost the cupcakes. Add the frosting to each of the cupcakes.

How to decorate:

Step 1. Melt the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval, until fully melted.

Step 2. Put the mixture in a piping bag. Move the mixture into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off one end of the bag.

Step 3. Make the spiderwebs. Pipe 3 concentric circles of the melted chocolate onto each frosted cupcake. Then start at the center of the with a toothpick draw 5-6 times through the circles to the outside edge of the cupcakes. This will make a spider web design.

Step 4. Continue to decorate. Continue this process until all the cupcakes are prepared and decorated with spider webs.

Step 5. Allow to set. Let sit until the chocolate re-hardens. Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!

Storage:

Refrigerate the leftover cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Any longer than this and the cupcake texture will change and not taste as fresh.

Tips

Allow to cool before decorating. The cupcakes need to completely cool before decorating. They should not even be a little warm as the icing will slide off and not look pretty.
Let the spider web harden. The topping needs time to set before storing. Allow to harden before serving so the design stays intact.
Don’t overfill the cupcakes. We like to use a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, so they are all filled the same. This helps them to cook evenly as well.

Variations to try:

Chocolate icing. Switch things up and decorate using chocolate icing and white chocolate for the spider web. The contrast is so pretty and another fun design to try instead of black cupcakes.
Homemade cupcakes instead of cake mix. We used a cake mix for ease but you can certainly make homemade cupcakes if you prefer.
Place a spider on top of cupcakes. Place plastic spiders, spider rings or chocolate spiders on top for even more festive decoration.
Spider web design. You can also melt white chocolate and dye it with black food coloring for the spider web design on top.
Different colors of icing. Purple icing is really fun to use and decorate with white or black spiderwebs. Then top with fun sprinkles.
Mini Cupcakes. Try turning this recipe into mini cupcakes. You won’t have as much space to draw the spiderweb design.

However, it will still be cute and festive. Make sure to adjust the baking time for the mini size.

Can I make these cupcakes in advance?

Yes, but we suggest waiting to decorate until ready to serve. The plain cupcakes can be frozen up to 3 months before using.

Allow to cool completely and place inside a storage container that is suitable for freezing. When ready to use, allow to thaw overnight in the fridge. Then decorate as normal.

This is a great way to save a little time when getting things ready for a party or busy occasion.

Spider Web Cupcakes make a great addition to any Halloween party season. It’s great for parties or just a fun treat with the kiddos.

Since it starts with a cake mix, the entire recipe is super easy to put together. The homemade frosting takes it up a level and the spiderweb design completes the look.