Wicked Witch Hat Cupcakes
48 min
|
intermediate
|
vegetarian
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 30 min | 18 min | 48 min |
Introduction
These Wicked Witch Hat Cupcakes are spooky-cute treats with rich, coffee-boosted chocolate bases and creamy green vanilla frosting.
Crisp sugar cones dipped in silky melted chocolate turn into whimsical witch hats that kids and adults both love.
They’re perfect for Halloween parties, classroom celebrations, or a fun weekend baking project with little helpers.
Ingredients (12 servings)
Ingredients for the Chocolate Cupcakes:
Ingredients for the Frosting:
Ingredients for Witch Hat Decorations:
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How to Make Wicked Witch Hat Cupcakes
-
Prepare the pan and oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with bright orange cupcake liners.
Set out the eggs and milk so they stay at room temperature while you mix the batter.
-
Mix the dry cupcake ingredients
Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
Break up any cocoa clumps so the batter bakes evenly and the cupcakes rise straight.
-
Combine the wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla until the mixture looks smooth and glossy.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk just until no dry streaks of flour remain.
-
Add hot coffee and finish the batter
Slowly pour in the hot coffee while whisking, until the batter is thin, shiny, and completely combined.
Scrape the bowl with a spatula so no thicker batter hides at the bottom.
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Bake the cupcakes
Divide the batter evenly among the lined cups, filling each orange liner about two-thirds full.
Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, until the tops spring back and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely.
-
Make the green buttercream frosting
Beat the softened butter in a large bowl until creamy and pale, about 2 minutes with a hand mixer.
Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, then beat on low until combined and fluffy.
Mix in green gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach a bold witchy shade.
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Frost the cooled cupcakes
Transfer the green frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip.
Pipe a generous swirl on each cupcake, keeping the top surface fairly flat for the witch hats.
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Make the chocolate-dipped witch hats
Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short bursts and stirring until smooth.
Let the melted chocolate cool slightly so it thickens enough to coat the sugar cones without running.
Dip each sugar cone into the chocolate, turning to coat, then shake off any excess chocolate back into the bowl.
Immediately shower the wet chocolate cones with Mystic Sprinkles Tangerine Dream so they sparkle all over.
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Assemble the witch hat cupcakes
Once the chocolate cones have set, gently press one upside down into the center of each frosted cupcake.
Sprinkle extra Mystic Sprinkles around the base of each hat for a bright orange and white Halloween rim.
Substitutions
- Mystic Sprinkles Tangerine Dream -> White and tangerine sprinkles
- Use separate white and tangerine jimmies or nonpareils to mimic the same bright candy look and crunchy texture. Mix them together in a bowl first so the colors scatter evenly over the chocolate hats.
- Hot coffee -> Hot water or hot milk
- Replace the coffee with very hot water if you want to avoid any coffee flavor completely. Use hot milk instead for a slightly creamier crumb that still keeps the chocolate flavor deep and rich.
- Whole milk -> Buttermilk
- Swap the milk for buttermilk to get extra tender, bakery-style cupcakes with a subtle tangy flavor. Keep the rest of the recipe the same, since the leavening already balances the extra acidity.
Tips
- Use room-temperature ingredients
- Room-temperature eggs and milk mix more easily with the oil, which gives you a smoother batter and higher rise.
- Do not overmix the batter
- Stop whisking as soon as the flour disappears so the cupcakes stay soft, not dense or gummy.
- Check cupcakes early
- Start checking at 16 minutes because dark chocolate batter hides overbaking, and dry cupcakes are hard to rescue.
- Let the cones set fully
- Place dipped cones on parchment and chill briefly so the chocolate firms before you press them into the frosting.
- Pipe a frosting 'glue' ring
- If any hats feel wobbly, pipe a small ring of frosting around the base to secure and hide gaps.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 655 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 4 | g |
| Total Fat | 30 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 92 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- How can I tell when the cupcakes are done without overbaking them?
- Look for domed tops that spring back lightly when you touch the center with a fingertip. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter and not completely dry.
- My frosting is too thick to pipe. What should I do?
- Beat in milk 1 teaspoon at a time until the frosting feels smooth and pipes without tearing the cupcake. If it gets too soft, add a couple tablespoons of powdered sugar and beat again briefly.
- The chocolate keeps sliding off my sugar cones. How can I fix this?
- Let the melted chocolate cool for several minutes so it thickens before you dip the cones. You can also roll the cones instead of dipping them straight in, which helps control the coating.
- Can I make these cupcakes ahead for a party?
- Bake the cupcakes one day ahead, then cool completely and store covered at room temperature. Make the frosting and decorate the cones the day of serving so the colors stay bright and textures crisp.
Serving Suggestions
These wicked witch hat cupcakes bring instant Halloween drama, especially when you pile them high on a black cake stand.
Pair them with hot cocoa or spiced cider, and add gummy worms or candy eyeballs for extra spooky fun.
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