Zombie Brain Cupcakes Halloween Treat (Print Version)

Moist chocolate cupcakes filled with raspberry jam and topped with vanilla brain frosting for spooky festivities.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cupcakes

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Filling

11 - 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

→ Brain Frosting

12 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
13 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Pink or red gel food coloring

→ Decoration

17 - 2 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.
05 - Divide batter evenly among the prepared liners, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
07 - Using a small knife or cupcake corer, remove a small section from the center of each cooled cupcake. Fill each cavity with approximately 1 teaspoon seedless raspberry jam and replace the cut-off top.
08 - Beat room temperature butter until creamy with an electric mixer. Gradually incorporate sifted powdered sugar, then add milk and vanilla extract. Continue beating until light and fluffy. Add gel coloring to achieve desired shade.
09 - Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe two squiggly lines on each cupcake to mimic the hemispheres of a brain.
10 - Drizzle or dot additional raspberry jam over the piped frosting for a blood-like effect, if desired.
11 - Arrange cupcakes on a platter and serve as a fun Halloween treat.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Quick to whip up and ready in under an hour
  • Eye-catching and fun to decorate with family or friends
  • Customizable for different levels of spooky flair
  • Moist chocolate cake with tangy jam makes every bite memorable
02 -
  • High in fiber thanks to cocoa and raspberry jam
  • Stores beautifully for several days
  • Perfect candidate for make ahead and freezer storage
03 -
  • Always sift powdered sugar for smooth frosting
  • Fill cupcakes after cooling to keep the jam from soaking into the cake
  • Use gel food coloring for bright brains without watering down your frosting
  • Take your time piping for realistic squiggles it’s part of the fun

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