Jack-O-Lantern Cupcakes

5 from 4 votes

Chocolate cupcakes from a cake mix topped with bright orange buttercream, a gumdrop stem, and a drawn-on jack-o'-lantern face. An easy Halloween party treat kids can decorate.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Jack-O-Lantern Cupcakes

Servings:

Calories: 211kcal

Author: Carrie Barnard

Cost: $9.27, $0.41 per Serving.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

1 pkg Chocolate Cake Mix 16 ounces
1 1/4 cup Water
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
3 Large Eggs

For the Frosting:

3/4 cup Unsalted Butter softened
2 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
2 Tbsp Milk
1 tsp Clear Vanilla Extract
Orange Gel Food Coloring

For the Decorations:

Black Decorator Gel
24 Small Green Gumdrops

Get Recipe Ingredients

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:

Cream together the butter and powdered sugar until combined and smooth.
Add in the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Add in the orange food coloring until the frosting is a vibrant orange color.
Top each of the cupcakes with the orange frosting. Use about 1 heaping tablespoon per cupcake so you have enough for all 24.

To Decorate:

Make a Jack-O-Lantern face on each of the cupcakes with the black decorator gel.
Place a green gumdrop candy on top of each cupcake for the stem.
Then the cupcakes are ready to serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months.

If your cake mix box is smaller than 16 ounces, follow the water, oil, and egg amounts on your box.

We recommend Wilton gel food coloring for a bright orange.

Nutrition