Description
A spooky and fun recipe for Zombie Brain Cupcakes, perfect for Halloween or any themed party. These cupcakes feature a rich chocolate cake base and are topped with a vibrant green buttercream frosting shaped to resemble a brain, complete with a bloody drizzle.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk or whole milk
- 1/4 cup neutral oil
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- 4 cups (455 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 to 3 drops (or more) neon green liquid food coloring
- Red decorating gel, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
- Pour in boiling water and whisk until fully combined.
- Fill each liner with 1/4 cup (60 ml) batter, coming about two-thirds up the sides.
- Bake cupcakes until risen and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes.
- Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Make frosting: In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl using an electric mixer), beat powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt on medium-high speed until frosting is bright white and very smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Tint frosting with green food coloring and beat until well incorporated, adding more as needed.
- Transfer to a large piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
- Pipe a small mound (about the size of a quarter) on top of cupcakes.
- Pipe 2 straight vertical lines, side by side, down middle of cupcakes.
- Pipe squiggly lines on either side of cupcakes, resembling a brain.
- Drizzle with red decorating gel for a bloody effect.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your desired shade of zombie brain.
- The red decorating gel can be omitted or replaced with raspberry jam for a similar effect.