Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar, left to sit for 5 minutes)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup (180ml) boiling water
  • 12 candy eyeballs, gummy worms, or other Halloween-themed candies (approx. 1-2cm in diameter)
  • 1 cup (226g, 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup (60ml) milk or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Halloween sprinkles (Optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk (or milk mixture). Beat in eggs one at a time.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Carefully pour in the boiling water and mix until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
  6. Fill each cupcake liner about ⅔ full.
  7. Gently press one candy eyeball (or chosen surprise) into the centre of each cupcake.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  9. Let cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. While cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat softened butter in a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer) until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the milk, until smooth and creamy. Stir in vanilla and salt.
  11. Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the chocolate buttercream frosting. Decorate with Halloween sprinkles, if desired. Now you are ready to serve Surprise Chocolate Cupcakes for Halloween.