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Best Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream

Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes - featured image
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These Guest-Favorite Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream are a dramatic, playful, and completely delicious dessert perfect for Halloween parties. They come together in under an hour with simple ingredients, featuring a tender black velvet cake and a tangy orange buttercream that steals the show.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened dark or black cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2–3 teaspoons black gel food coloring
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3–4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • A tiny pinch of salt
  • A few drops orange gel food coloring
  • Halloween sprinkles (optional)
  • Black sanding sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, white vinegar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Stir black gel food coloring into the wet mixture (start with 2 teaspoons).
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and fold with a spatula until just combined (do not overmix).
  6. Divide batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. For the buttercream: Beat softened butter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  10. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, alternating with splashes of heavy cream, mixing on low.
  11. Add orange extract, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 3-4 minutes until light and airy.
  12. Add orange gel food coloring a few drops at a time and mix until uniform.
  13. Once cupcakes are completely cool, pipe buttercream onto each cupcake using a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
  14. Top with Halloween sprinkles or black sanding sugar if desired.

Notes

For the deepest black color, use dark or black cocoa powder and gel food coloring (not liquid). Room temperature ingredients are essential for best texture. Do not overmix the batter. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting. Cupcakes taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, black velvet cupcakes, orange buttercream, Halloween dessert, spooky cupcakes, easy Halloween recipe

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/best-black-velvet-halloween-cupcakes-with-orange-buttercream/