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Chocolate spider web cupcakes with vanilla buttercream
Jonas Mitchell

Spider Web Cupcakes Recipe

Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with fluffy vanilla buttercream and decorated with simple black spider webs. These easy Halloween cupcakes are perfect for parties, school treats, and spooky dessert tables.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cupcakes
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup hot water
Vanilla Buttercream
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • pinch of salt
Decoration
  • 2-3 tbsp black decorating gel or black icing

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
  4. Add hot water and mix gently until the batter is smooth.
  5. Divide the batter between the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  6. Bake for 17–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
  8. For the buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar.
  9. Add vanilla, salt, and cream or milk. Beat until light and fluffy.
  10. Frost the cooled cupcakes evenly.
  11. Pipe black icing across each cupcake to create a cross and diagonal lines.
  12. Add curved lines between the straight lines to form the spider web.
  13. Drag a toothpick from the center toward the edge several times to sharpen the web design.
  14. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Notes

Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per cupcake, including frosting and decoration:
Calories: 330 kcal
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Protein: 4 g
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Sugar: 33 g
Sodium: 190 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients used.