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Perfect Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes

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These Perfect Black Velvet Halloween Cupcakes with Orange Frosting are a love letter to a beloved bakery, featuring a tender, dramatically dark crumb and a bright, creamy citrus topping. They’re the ultimate spooky treat that’s as delicious as it is visually stunning.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (45g) black cocoa powder
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange zest
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • a pinch of salt
  • Black sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
  • Orange food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, black cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and oil together until well combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Stir in the white vinegar until the color is uniform.
  7. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. While the cupcakes cool, make the frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then the orange zest, orange juice, vanilla, and salt. Beat for another 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  11. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the frosting on top. Add black sprinkles or edible glitter if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip the vinegar—it deepens the color. Room temperature ingredients are crucial for a tender crumb. Check cupcakes at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking. Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. For extra orange flavor, toast the zest in the microwave for 10 seconds.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, orange frosting, black cocoa, spooky desserts, fall baking, velvet cake

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/perfect-black-velvet-halloween-cupcakes/