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Perfect Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes with Easy Spider Web Frosting Tutorial

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These black velvet cupcakes feature a rich, dark cocoa crumb with a creamy cream cheese frosting decorated with a fun spider web design, perfect for Halloween celebrations.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups (190g), sifted
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder – ¼ cup (25g), Dutch-processed
  • Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
  • Salt – ½ teaspoon
  • Unsalted butter – ½ cup (115g), softened
  • Granulated sugar – 1 cup (200g)
  • Large eggs – 2, room temperature
  • Buttermilk – ¾ cup (180ml)
  • Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
  • Black gel food coloring – 1 teaspoon
  • Cream cheese – 8 oz (225g), softened
  • Unsalted butter – ½ cup (115g), softened
  • Powdered sugar – 3 cups (360g), sifted
  • Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
  • Milk – 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml)
  • Black gel food coloring – small amount for spider web piping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Mix in vanilla extract and black gel food coloring until batter is uniformly black.
  6. Add dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with buttermilk in two batches, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix gently on low speed.
  7. Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 full with batter.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
  9. Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  11. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Add milk a teaspoon at a time if frosting is too stiff.
  12. Frost cooled cupcakes with a smooth white layer using an offset spatula or piping bag with a large round tip.
  13. Fill a piping bag with black-tinted frosting and pipe concentric circles on top of the white frosting.
  14. Use a toothpick to drag lines from the center outward to create a spider web effect, wiping the toothpick between each drag.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for best color without thinning batter. Room temperature ingredients improve texture. Practice piping spider web on parchment paper first. Store frosted cupcakes in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days; bring to room temperature before serving. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and butter with vegan alternatives. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, spider web frosting, cream cheese frosting, easy Halloween dessert, spooky cupcakes

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