Spooky & Sweet: Cream-Filled ‘Ghosts In the Graveyard’ Halloween Cupcakes
Get ready to summon some seriously delicious fun with our incredible ‘Ghosts In the Graveyard’ Cupcakes! These aren’t just any Halloween treats; they’re a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, featuring moist orange cupcakes generously filled with a luscious marshmallow cream, crowned with a rich chocolate ganache, and adorned with the cutest little ghosts peering up from a candy gravestone landscape. This is our idea of celebrating Halloween in style – deliciously spooky and utterly irresistible! Let the party begin!
If you’re as excited about Halloween party treats as we are, you’ll also adore our 3 Easy Halloween Cupcake Ideas. And for even more ghoulishly good inspiration, explore our extensive collections: 20 Spooktacular Halloween Desserts and 10 Halloween Party Desserts. While we’re celebrating, don’t forget to check out these year-round favorites, like our National Chocolate Chip Day Cookie Recipes for everyday baking joy!
There’s something about Halloween that brings out the playful and slightly mischievous side in all of us. It reminds me of those thrilling, bizarre, spur-of-the-moment nights from teenage years. You know, the ones where you and a bunch of giggling girlfriends hatch a brilliant plan to sneak out in the dead of night, make a pilgrimage to the local graveyard, and secretly hope for some weird, unexplained mystery to unfold. Crazy, right? Well, I’m here to tell you, it happened to me.
These adorable Halloween Ghost Cupcakes were actually inspired by that very night. While my cupcakes are cute and whimsical, not scary in the slightest – because, let’s be honest, I’m more of a sweet and cheerful “cupcake” myself, and I definitely don’t fancy scary or gross-looking food! – the inspiration is real. My comfort zone leans firmly towards delightful treats, not terrifying specters.
A Night to Remember: My Teenage Graveyard Adventure
It was undeniably creepy, a memory so vivid that sometimes I still question its reality: “Did that actually happen, or did I just dream it up?” But no, it absolutely happened. Are you on the edge of your seat, dying to hear the full story?
Alright, alright, so here’s the scoop. We walked to the graveyard, which was conveniently only a couple of blocks from where we were having our sleepover. As we tiptoed through the entrance, we hushed our whispers, our hearts thumping with a mix of fear and excitement. We wandered among the headstones, reading the names, imagining the lives that once were, and feeling that distinct chill in the air that only a graveyard at night can provide.
Then we stumbled upon a particular gravestone. This one was unique, featuring a ceramic, button-like oval stone with a picture of the man buried there, directly attached to the gravestone itself. One of my friends, bolder than the rest or perhaps just swept up in the eerie atmosphere, bravely declared out loud, “If you’re here with us, or in spirit, show us a sign!”
Umm… Definitely the Wrong Thing to Say?
We all stood there, huddled together, holding our breaths, expecting nothing. But then, it happened! Within mere seconds, that ceramic button-like picture POPPED right off the gravestone! I kid you not. The sound was distinct, sharp, and utterly bone-chilling. The silence that followed was deafening, quickly shattered by our collective screams.
We didn’t wait around for an encore or to decipher what might happen next. We turned tail and ran as fast as our legs could carry us, never once looking back. It was pure, unadulterated terror mixed with an exhilarating rush of adrenaline. After an experience like that, who was going to sleep? Not me, that’s for sure! It was an unforgettable night, a vivid reminder of the thin veil between our world and something unknown.
Bringing Spooky Fun to Your Kitchen: ‘Ghosts In the Graveyard’ Cupcakes
My cautionary tale is simple: unless you truly want to dabble with the unknown, don’t summon it, even in jest. It’s like opening Pandora’s Box. Me? I’ll stick to summoning these delightful Halloween Ghost Cupcakes right into my mouth! They’re infinitely more fun and guaranteed to bring smiles, not screams, to your Halloween celebration.
Cream Filled ‘Ghosts In the Graveyard’ Cupcakes
Luscious marshmallow cream filling, rich chocolate ganache topping, and cute little ghosts peering up with candy gravestones. Now that’s our kind of celebratory spooky! Perfect for party time!
Recipe Details
- Author: Kim Lange
- Course: Dessert
- Servings: 12 Servings
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 package Orange Cake Mix (For extra flavor, substitute orange juice for water in cake mix directions if available!)
Marshmallow Cream Filling
- 2 teaspoons very hot water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 – 7 ounce jar marshmallow cream
- ½ cup shortening
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
Frosting for the Ghosts
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Sprinkles (for eyes), 1 large Hershey’s Cookies & Cream Bar (broken into chunks for gravestones), 24 mini chocolate chips (for mouths)
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Prepare and bake the cake batter according to package directions, making sure to use paper-lined muffin cups. Once baked, let them cool in the muffin pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Cooling thoroughly is key before filling and frosting!
Marshmallow Cream Filling
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the very hot water and salt. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved, then set aside to cool to room temperature.
- To the cooled salt water mixture, add the marshmallow cream, shortening, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Using an electric mixer, whip on medium speed until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and fluffy. This creamy filling is what makes these cupcakes extra special!
- Prepare a pastry bag or a sturdy plastic bag. If using a plastic bag, snip a small hole (about a quarter-inch) from one corner and insert a round pastry tip for easy filling.
- Fill the prepared bag with the marshmallow cream filling. Gently push the tip down into the center of each cooled cupcake, about ¾ of an inch deep. Squeeze enough filling to cause the top of the cupcake to gently rise, but be careful not to overfill to avoid cracking.
Chocolate Ganache
- Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small, heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy whipping cream just to a boil over medium heat.
- Immediately pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt, then whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
- Allow the ganache to cool, stirring occasionally, until it reaches room temperature and a thick, dippable consistency. If it’s too thin, it will run off the cupcakes.
- Carefully dip the tops of the filled cupcakes into the cooled chocolate ganache. For an extra touch, sprinkle with cookie crumbs (like crushed Oreos) or additional festive sprinkles, if desired, to mimic dirt in the graveyard.
Ghosts in the Graveyard Decoration
- In a small bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, vanilla, and a tiny pinch of salt (if desired) until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. This will be your ghost frosting.
- Transfer the ghost frosting to a zip-top bag. Snip off about ⅓ of an inch from one corner of the bag.
- Pipe the frosting onto the ganache-dipped cupcakes in a circular motion, building up the height to create your mini ghosts. Give each ghost character by adding sprinkles for eyes and a mini chocolate chip for a cute little mouth.
- To create the “graveyard” effect, break the large Hershey’s Cookies & Cream Bar into irregular chunks. Gently press these white chocolate chunks into the ganache next to your ghosts to represent gravestones. Voila! These charmingly spooky cupcakes are sure to be a hit, especially with the little ones!
- For the frosting to set properly, chill the decorated cupcakes in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh. This recipe yields 2 dozen delicious cupcakes.
For those looking for a shortcut for the frosting ghosts, feel free to use store-bought canned vanilla frosting. Simply tint it white if needed, then add chocolate chips and sprinkles for the eyes and mouth to bring your friendly spirits to life. Another fantastic option for easy decorating is to top your cupcakes with these adorable and friendly ghost candies from Wilton. Aren’t they wonderfully fun and festive? Whether you go homemade or semi-homemade, these graveyard cupcakes are sure to be the star of your Halloween bash!
More Spooktacular Halloween Party Ideas Coming Right At Ya!
Looking to round out your Halloween feast with more eerie-sistible treats? We’ve got you covered with a cauldron full of ideas. From spooky drinks to delightful desserts, these recipes are perfect for adding extra thrills to your celebration:
- BOO-Berry Jell-O Shots! – A vibrant, jiggly treat for the grown-ups.
- Halloween Skull Cupcakes – Creepy cool and surprisingly easy to make.
- Easy Halloween Cereal Treats – A quick and customizable snack for all ages.
- Halloween Oreos – Simple, decorated cookies that are always a crowd-pleaser.
- 10 Halloween Party Desserts & Jello Shots! – A comprehensive list for your planning needs.
- Spooky Mummy Rice Krispie Treats – Adorable mummies wrapped in sweet goodness.
- Orange Butter’Scream’ OREO Brownies – A rich and vibrant twist on classic brownies.
- Halloween Ghost Rice Krispies – Another fun ghost-themed treat with a peanut butter kick.
- 3 Yummy Pumpkin Muffins – One Batch – Perfect for a less spooky, more autumnal vibe.
Keywords for this Recipe
candy, cream-filled, cupcakes, halloween, orange, party dessert, party treats, ghost cupcakes, graveyard cupcakes, chocolate ganache, marshmallow filling, spooky treats, easy Halloween recipe
Did you try this recipe and love it? Let us know how your ‘Ghosts In the Graveyard’ Cupcakes turned out by commenting below!