Print

Creamy Pastel Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Easy Whimsical Frosting Recipe

Creamy Pastel Halloween Ghost Cupcakes - featured image
Print Recipe

These cupcakes feature moist, tender vanilla cupcakes topped with a creamy, pastel-colored cream cheese frosting shaped like whimsical ghosts, perfect for a playful Halloween treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons (6g) baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¾ cup (180ml) whole milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pastel gel food coloring (pink, lavender, pale blue) – a few drops each
  • Mini chocolate chips or edible black pearls for eyes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition, then mix in vanilla extract.
  5. Add the flour mixture in three batches alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix on low speed just until combined.
  6. Spoon batter evenly into liners, filling about ⅔ full. Tap pan gently to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cupcakes should spring back lightly when touched.
  8. Let cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  10. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed to avoid sugar clouds, then add vanilla extract.
  11. Divide frosting into three bowls and add a few drops of pastel gel food coloring to each, mixing until soft pastel shades form.
  12. Using a piping bag with a round tip or a small offset spatula, swirl frosting onto each cupcake to create ghost-like mounds.
  13. Add mini chocolate chips or edible pearls as eyes if desired.

Notes

Chill cream cheese and butter before mixing frosting for fluffier texture. Sift powdered sugar to avoid gritty frosting. Do not frost cupcakes while warm to prevent melting. Use gel food coloring for best pastel colors and consistency. For dairy-free or gluten-free options, substitute ingredients as noted in the recipe.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, pastel cupcakes, ghost cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, whimsical frosting, easy Halloween dessert, kid-friendly cupcakes

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/creamy-pastel-halloween-ghost-cupcakes-easy-whimsical-frosting-recipe/