Description
These Vegan Halloween Cupcakes with Chocolate Skulls are rich, moist, and hauntingly beautiful. Featuring chocolate sponge, vegan buttercream, and gothic skull toppers, they’re perfect for Halloween parties and spooky celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes:
- 1 ¼ cups (150g) plain all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- ½ cup (50g) cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup (80ml) light olive oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Vegan Buttercream:
- ½ cup (110g) vegan butter
- 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp plant-based milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Natural food coloring (purple, red, or black)
For the Chocolate Skulls:
- 100g vegan dark chocolate, melted
- Skull silicone mold
Instructions
- Make Vegan Buttermilk: Mix plant-based milk with apple cider vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes to curdle.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Add sugar and whisk.
- Combine: Add buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Stir gently until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Bake: Divide batter into 12 lined muffin cups. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–22 minutes. Cool completely.
- Prepare Buttercream: Beat vegan butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Tint with food coloring.
- Make Chocolate Skulls: Melt chocolate and pour into molds. Tap to remove air bubbles. Refrigerate or freeze until set.
- Decorate: Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes. Top with chocolate skulls and optional decorations.
Notes
- Use piping bag with star tip for dramatic swirls.
- Don’t overfill chocolate molds—thinner skulls release easier.
- Store chocolate skulls in fridge until ready to use.
- Add berry jam inside cupcakes for a spooky “bloody” center.
- Unfrosted cupcakes freeze well for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Vegan Halloween Cupcakes, Chocolate Skull Dessert, Skull Desserts Halloween, Gothic Cupcakes, Halloween-Themed Cupcakes and Treats