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A few decorators tips and some all-natural food color make these the PERFECT Halloween treat!
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5 from 1 vote

Monster Cupcakes

Adorable Monster Cupcakes using plant, seed, and vegetable-based food colors that are as easy as they are delicious!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Monster Cupcakes
Servings: 24
Calories: 158kcal
Author: Amanda Rettke-iambaker.net

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

  • 1/2 cup (113g) 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

MONSTER BUTTERCREAM

  • 1 cup (227) unsalted butter
  • 1 two-pound bag powder sugar about 7-8 cups
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 dash salt
  • 1 pkg McCormick Color from Nature Food Color

Instructions

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. This recipe makes 12-14 cupcakes, so prepare one pan (or maybe two) with cupcake liners.
  • Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between each time. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add the eggs, sugar, vanilla, and sour cream and whisk on medium speed until smooth. (about 1 minute)
  • In a medium-sized bowl, sift the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined.
  • Add the cooled butter/chocolate to the stand mixer and whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds.
  • Slowly add in the flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time with the stand mixer on low.
  • As soon as you are done adding the flour turn the mixer off. (You do not want to over-mix!)
  • The batter will be very thick.
  • Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes. The center of the cupcake should spring back up if gently pressed.

MONSTER BUTTERCREAM

  • Put room temperature butter, vanilla, and salt into mixer. Add in powder sugar one cup at a time, alternating with the milk until you have used it all.
  • If your frosting is too thick you can certainly add more milk.
  • Equally divide buttercream into four bowls.
  • BLUE: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of Sky Blue food color packet to bowl.
  • PINK: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the Berry food color packet to bowl.
  • YELLOW: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the Sunflower food color packet to bowl.
  • GREEN: Add 1 teaspoon Sky Blue and 1 teaspoon Sunflower to make green.
  • Gently stir to combine

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal