Furry Monster Cupcakes

monster cupcakes of different colors with candy eyes.

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.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 24

Cooling and frosting time (estimated) 45

Total Time 1 19

Servings cupcakes

Calories 237kcal

Author Toni Dash

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