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Best Spooky Black Velvet Cupcakes: Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

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Deep, dramatic black velvet cake with a tender crumb, topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. These spooky cupcakes are perfect for Halloween parties and are surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (188g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50g) black cocoa powder
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–3 teaspoons black gel food coloring
  • ½ cup (120ml) hot water
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sift if cocoa is clumpy.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Add black gel food coloring (start with 2 teaspoons, add more for desired darkness).
  4. Add dry ingredients to wet in two additions, mixing gently until just combined. Add hot water and mix until batter is smooth and glossy (batter will be thin).
  5. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely (30-45 minutes).
  7. For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth (2-3 minutes). Add sifted powdered sugar one cup at a time, beating on low. Add vanilla and salt, then beat on medium-high 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  8. Once cupcakes are cool, pipe or spread frosting onto each cupcake. Decorate as desired.

Notes

Black cocoa powder is key for the dark color and Oreo-like flavor. Use gel food coloring, not liquid. Room temperature ingredients are important for best texture. Cupcakes taste even better the next day. Store frosted cupcakes in refrigerator up to 5 days; unfrosted freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, spooky cupcakes, black cocoa cupcakes

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/best-spooky-black-velvet-cupcakes-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/