Print

Perfect Pumpkin Ghost Cupcakes: 10-Min Easy Halloween Treat

perfect pumpkin ghost cupcakes - featured image
Print Recipe

These spooky yet delicious pumpkin cupcakes feature a moist, spiced cake base topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting shaped into cute ghosts. Perfect for Halloween parties or autumn baking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange gel food coloring (optional)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, full-fat, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Mini candy eyes (white or black)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
  4. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until combined. Mix in pumpkin puree and orange food coloring (if using) until uniform.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
  7. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While cupcakes cool, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, beating on low then high speed until fluffy. Add cream/milk if needed for consistency.
  10. Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes to form a ghost shape. Press two mini candy eyes into the frosting.

Notes

Ensure all dairy ingredients (butter, cream cheese) are at room temperature for smooth frosting. Do not overmix the batter to keep cupcakes tender. Cool cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent melting. Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without altering batter consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin cupcakes, halloween treats, ghost cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, fall baking, easy halloween recipe, pumpkin spice

Find it online: https://sizzlesprout.com/perfect-pumpkin-ghost-cupcakes-10-min-easy-halloween-treat/