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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Furry Monster Cupcakes

    PUBLISHED: October 4, 2022 • By Toni Dash 7 Comments

    Furry Monster Cupcakes

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    monster cupcakes with colorful frosting.

    These little monster cupcakes are adorable, delicious and SO easy to make!! Ghoulishly green hinted cupcakes are covered with furry frosting on top of the cupcakes and loads of googly eyes! Halloween monster cupcakes are so much fun and a box mix hack!

    monster cupcakes with colorful frosting.

    Halloween cupcakes need to be eye catching and these adorable monster cupcakes are just that! BUT Halloween recipes don’t need to be difficult or time consuming to make. These fun monster cupcakes are so easy.

    They use a box cake mix that’s colored, store-bought frosting and a fun frosting tip to cover the top of the cupcakes with colorful frosting and plenty of edible eyes.

    These little monsters are perfect for a Halloween party, class party, or birthday party. They’ll become a favorite cupcake recipe because everyone loves them and they aren’t hard work for you!

    You’ll love our Orange Poke Halloween Cupcakes recipe and Graveyard Cupcakes too!

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • How to make Monster Cupcakes
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    Box yellow cake mix. One regular or gluten-free box of yellow cake mix that makes 24 cupcakes PLUS any ingredients called for on the box to complete the cake (usually eggs, vegetable oil and/or water).

    Buttercream frosting. To keep this super easy we used two tubs of prepared buttercream frosting. You can also use homemade frosting.

    Gel food coloring. Gel food coloring creates more vibrant colors than liquid food coloring. And you only need a little bit! Though liquid food coloring will still work.

    You’ll need green or blue (or a mix of the two) to color the cupcakes then your desired color or colors for the frosting to be (we used green, purple and orange). Using a variety of colors makes the scary monster cupcakes even more appealing.

    Candy eyeballs. These are available wherever baking supplies are sold (craft stores with a baking section, usually in grocery stores in the baking aisle or in kitchen shops with baking supplies or online). Wilton brand is the most popular.

    Supplies needed:

    • Muffin pan(s)
    • Baking liners
    • Mixing bowl
    • Frosting piping bags (see Variations for an alternative)
    • Optional: Piping tip (not required for this method)
    monster cupcakes with orange frosting fur.

    How to make Monster Cupcakes

    Printable recipe in the recipe card at the end of the post.

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix for cupcakes. Add cupcake liners to muffin pan(s) to make 24 cupcakes. This is a great time to use festive Halloween cupcake liners!

    monster cupcakes recipe steps 1-4.

    STEP 2. Make the batter

    Follow the instructions on the cake mix to prepare the batter (photos 1-2). This usually includes combining the mix in a large bowl with the extra ingredients (eggs, vegetable oil and/or water) and mixing until combined and smooth.

    Add 1/4 teaspoon of green or blue gel food coloring(or a mix) to the batter (or 3-5 drops of liquid food coloring) to the batter (photo 3). Whisk to incorporate and fully color the batter (photos 4-5). NOTE: if a deeper color is desired add more coloring now.

    Fill each liner as noted on the cake mix (photo 6).

    monster cupcakes recipe steps 5-8.

    STEP 3. Bake

    Bake cupcakes for the time noted on the cake mix for cupcakes. The tops should be lightly golden (though it can be difficult to see due to the coloring) or when a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean (photos 7-8).

    STEP 4. Cool

    Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow to cool in the muffin pan 10 minutes then to room temperature on a wire rack before frosting (or as noted on your mix).

    monster cupcakes recipe steps 9-12.

    STEP 5. Frost

    Divide the frosting into a separate bowl for each frosting color being used (so if you are making two colors of frosting separate into two bowls; three colors of frosting separate into three bowls etc).

    Add gel or liquid food coloring to color the frosting to the desired shade. TIP: for gel coloring I usually dip a clean toothpick into the gel, add that to the frosting and mix together then add more if needed. A little goes a long way).

    Spoon each colored frosting into a piping bag and snip off the end of the bags (photo 9). Pipe zig zag lines over the entire surface of the cupcake (the top) to create the illusion of fur (photos 10-11).

    On top of the frosting add candy eyes (as many as you like) (photo 12). The more eyes the merrier with these little guys!

    monster cupcakes with orange frosting fur.

    Variations

    Use another flavor cake mix. You can use white cake mix or any flavor you prefer (red velvet, chocolate

    Use a different frosting. Any frosting can be used. If you’ll color it using vanilla or another white frosting works best. If you want to skip coloring it you can buy already colored frosting too. Or try one of our favorite homemade frostings:

    No piping bags? No problem. Use a quart or gallon Ziploc type plastic bag. Fill, snip the corner off and pipe.

    Pipe on the fur. Instead of the zig zag technique you can use an actual piping tip. We love the grass tip which makes them look really furry! Or use a small closed star tip to pipe uniform frosting texture or your favorite small star tip depending on the look you want.

    Cookie monster cupcakes. Make blue frosting, just use two candy eyes and insert half a small chocolate chip cookie where the mouth would go!

    How to Store

    Store in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, unrefrigerated.

    For more than 2 days up to 5-6 days store in the refrigerator. Be sure the container is airtight and will not let any moisture in.

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    Recipe

    monster cupcakes of different colors with candy eyes.

    Furry Monster Cupcakes

    These cute Furry Monster cupcakes are Halloween party perfect AND so easy to make. A box mix hack and an easy frosting trick make this simple recipe extraordinary.
    5 from 88 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 24 minutes
    Cooling and frosting time (estimated): 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 19 minutes
    Servings: 24 cupcakes
    Calories: 237kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    piping bags

    Ingredients

    • 1 box yellow cake mix regular or gluten-free; plus any called for ingredients to prepare the batter (usually eggs, vegetable oil and/or water)
    • 2 tubs prepared buttercream frosting
    • gel food coloring (see Notes)
    • candy eyes quantity will depend on how many you want on each cupcake
    • cupcake liners

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix for cupcakes.
      Add cupcake liners muffin pans to bake 24 cupcakes. This is a great time to use festive Halloween cupcake liners!
    • Follow the instructions on the cake mix to prepare the batter. This usually includes combining the mix in a large bowl with the extra ingredients (eggs, vegetable oil and/or water) and mixing until combined and smooth.
    • Add 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of green or blue gel food coloring to the batter (or 3-5 drops of liquid food coloring) to the batter. Whisk to incorporate and fully color the batter. NOTE: if a deeper color is desired add more coloring now.
    • Fill each liner 2/3 full or as noted on the cake mix.
    • Bake cupcakes for the time noted on the cake mix for cupcakes (this will differ from making a cake; usually around 22-24 minutes). The tops should be lightly golden (though it can be difficult to see due to the coloring) or when a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
    • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow to fully cool to room temperature on a wire rack before frosting.
    • Divide the frosting into a separate bowl for each frosting color being used (so if you are making two colors of frosting separate into two bowls; three colors of frosting separate into three bowls etc).
    • Add gel or liquid food coloring to color the frosting to the desired shade.
      TIP: for gel coloring I usually dip a clean toothpick into the gel, add that to the frosting and mix together then add more if needed. A little goes a long way.
    • Spoon each colored frosting into a piping bag and snip off the end of the bags. Pipe zig zag lines over the entire surface of the cupcake (the top) to create the illusion of fur.
    • On top of the frosting add candy eyes (as many as you like). The more eyes the merrier with these little guys!

    Notes

    Nutritional facts will vary depending on cake mix and frosting used.
    Ingredient Notes
    • If desired white cake mix or another cake mix can be substituted.
    • You may have frosting leftover. One tub of frosting can frost 24-32 cupcakes but with the zig zag frosting method having additional frosting gives better coverage.
    • A different frosting can also be used. Vanilla is a good choice if coloring the frosting. You can even purchase colored frosting as a shortcut.
    • We recommend gel coloring due to its vibrant color though liquid food coloring can also be used. Use green or blue to color the cupcakes. Choose one or more color for the frosting (we used green, orange and purple).
    No piping bags? No problem. Use a quart or gallon Ziploc type plastic bag. Fill, snip the corner off and pipe.
    Pipe on the fur. Instead of the zig zag technique you can use an actual piping tip. We love the grass tip which makes them look really furry! Or use a #8 closed star tip to pipe uniform frosting texture or your favorite small star tip depending on the look you want.
    Cookie monster cupcakes. Make blue frosting, just use two candy eyes and insert half a small chocolate chip cookie where the mouth would go!
    How to store
    Store in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, unrefrigerated. For more than 2 days up to 5-6 days store in the refrigerator. Be sure the container is airtight and will not let any moisture in.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 33g | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim says

      October 05, 2022 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      These turned out amazing and the kids loved them. Such a fun recipe for Halloween!

      Reply
    2. Jen h says

      October 04, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      5 stars
      These are so adorable. I can’t believe mine came out as cute as yours! The kids loved them!

      Reply
    3. wilhelmina says

      October 04, 2022 at 10:25 am

      These are so much fun and the kids LOVE them! Great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Gina Abernathy says

      October 04, 2022 at 7:54 am

      5 stars
      So cute and a great way to get the kids in the kitchen. Love these!

      Reply
    5. Greta says

      October 04, 2022 at 7:22 am

      5 stars
      Loved making these. Thank you for a truly EASY adorable recipe.

      Reply
    6. kushigalu says

      October 04, 2022 at 6:51 am

      The perfect treat for Halloween. So cute. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    7. Katherine says

      October 04, 2022 at 6:41 am

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are so cute, and so easy!

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

    Toni Dash BoulderLocavore.com Head Shot

    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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