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Decadent Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

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Rich, moist black velvet cupcakes with a subtle cocoa flavor paired with tangy, bright orange cream cheese frosting, perfect for Halloween parties and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (35g) black cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Black food coloring (optional, a few drops)
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (55g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • Orange food coloring (optional, a few drops)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, black cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Add black food coloring if desired.
  6. Spoon the batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, checking at 18 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Let cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
  10. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined.
  11. Mix in fresh orange zest and orange juice. Add orange food coloring if desired.
  12. Frost the cooled cupcakes using a piping bag or butter knife, creating swirls with a star tip if desired.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense cupcakes. Use black cocoa powder for a deeper color and flavor. Frost cupcakes only when completely cooled to prevent melting. If frosting is too runny, chill it for 10-15 minutes before using. For dairy-free versions, substitute butter and cream cheese with vegan alternatives and use coconut milk with lemon juice as buttermilk substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, black velvet cupcakes, orange cream cheese frosting, spooky treats, black cocoa powder, festive cupcakes

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/decadent-black-velvet-halloween-cupcakes-with-orange-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe-for-easy-spooky-treats/