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Desserts

Pumpkin Spider Cupcakes

Spooky chocolate cupcakes topped with creamy pumpkin frosting and chocolate spider decorations.

⏱️
Prep Time
30 mins
🍽️
Total Time
48 mins
👥
Servings
12
Rating
4.9/5

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup strong black coffee, cooled
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • For frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp vanilla
  • Chocolate chips and pretzel sticks for spider decorations
  • Orange food coloring

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 420
Carbs: 68g
Sugar: 58g
Fat: 16g
Protein: 6g

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

  3. 3

    In another bowl, beat eggs, then add buttermilk, coffee, and oil.

  4. 4

    Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

  5. 5

    Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.

  6. 6

    Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

  7. 7

    Cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

  8. 8

    For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and orange coloring.

  9. 9

    Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.

  10. 10

    Create spiders using chocolate chips for bodies and broken pretzel sticks for legs.

Chef's Tips

  • Make sure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Store frosted cupcakes in refrigerator due to cream cheese frosting.
  • For extra spooky effect, dust with cocoa powder before adding spiders.