Ghost cupcakes Recipe

Halloween is the perfect time to whip up fun, spooky, and creative desserts that delight kids and adults alike.

One of the easiest and most adorable desserts you can make is ghost cupcakes.

These cute little treats are not only delicious but also a great way to get into the festive spirit without spending hours in the kitchen.

I’ll walk you through a simple ghost cupcakes recipe that you can recreate at home, whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, preparing school treats, or just enjoying a cozy fall baking day.

Why You’ll Love Ghost Cupcakes

Ghost cupcakes are more than just tasty—they’re a showstopper on any Halloween dessert table. Here’s why they’re perfect:

Simple but spooky: You don’t need expert decorating skills to make them look impressive.

Kid-friendly: Children love helping with the decorating part.

Customizable: You can switch up the cupcake flavor, frosting, or decorations.

Perfect for parties: Easy to transport and guaranteed to get smiles.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this ghost cupcakes recipe, you can either bake your cupcakes from scratch or save time with a boxed cake mix.

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or your favorite cupcake recipe)

  • Eggs, oil, and water (as directed on the box)

For the Ghost Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

  • 4 cups powdered sugar

  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • A pinch of salt

For Decoration:

  • Mini chocolate chips or candy eyes (for the ghost’s eyes)

  • Large piping bag with a round tip

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Cupcakes

Preheat your oven according to your cake mix or cupcake recipe instructions.

Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Prepare the cake mix as directed and pour evenly into the liners.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean (usually 18–20 minutes).

Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating.

Step 2: Make the Ghost Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.

Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well.

Add vanilla extract and salt.

Slowly add milk or cream until the frosting reaches a fluffy, pipeable consistency.

Step 3: Decorate the Ghosts

Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or just snip the end of a bag for a homemade version).

Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake in a tall swirl to create the ghost’s body. Start with a wide base and make it narrower as you go up.

Gently press mini chocolate chips or candy eyes onto the frosting to form the ghost’s face.

Extra Tips for Perfect Ghost Cupcakes

  • Keep it cool: If your frosting gets too soft, pop the bag into the fridge for 10 minutes before piping.

  • Add variety: Use red gel icing for a spooky “bloody” look or orange sprinkles for a fun twist.

  • Make ahead: Bake the cupcakes a day ahead and frost them fresh before serving.

  • Different flavors: While chocolate is classic for Halloween, you can use vanilla, pumpkin spice, or red velvet cupcakes for a creative change.

Serving Ideas

These ghost cupcakes are perfect for:

Halloween parties

Trick-or-treat dessert tables

Classroom treats

Movie nights featuring scary films

Serve them with hot chocolate, apple cider, or a festive punch for a complete Halloween vibe.

Ghost Cupcakes Recipe

These spooky-cute ghost cupcakes are easy to make with chocolate cupcakes, fluffy vanilla frosting, and candy eyes—perfect for any Halloween celebration!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For Cupcakes
  • 1 box chocolate cake mix or homemade recipe
  • Eggs oil, and water (as directed on box)
For Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 –3 tbsp milk or heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
For Decoration
  • Mini chocolate chips or candy eyes
  • Piping bag with large round tip

Method
 

Bake Cupcakes
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  3. Prepare cake mix as directed and fill liners 2/3 full.
  4. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  5. Cool completely.
Make Frosting
  1. Beat softened butter until creamy.
  2. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing well.
  3. Stir in vanilla and salt.
  4. Add milk/cream until frosting is fluffy and pipeable.
Decorate Ghosts
  1. Fill piping bag with frosting.
  2. Pipe tall swirls onto cupcakes to create ghost shapes.
  3. Add mini chocolate chips or candy eyes for the face.

Notes

  • Chill frosting for 10 minutes if too soft.
  • Try pumpkin spice or red velvet cupcakes for variety.
  • Bake cupcakes a day ahead, frost before serving.

This ghost cupcakes recipe is a simple, fun, and festive way to bring Halloween spirit to your home.

With just a few basic ingredients and a little creativity, you can transform ordinary cupcakes into spooky-cute treats that everyone will love.

Whether you’re a beginner baker or a pro, these cupcakes are guaranteed to make your Halloween celebration extra special.

So, grab your piping bag and let the ghosts come to life—one cupcake at a time!