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Perfect Black Velvet Midnight Halloween Cupcakes with Easy Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

black velvet cupcakes - featured image
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These Halloween cupcakes feature a deep black velvet cake paired with a tangy orange cream cheese frosting, creating a perfect balance of darkness and brightness for a festive treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon black gel food coloring
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 1–2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk lightly to combine.
  3. In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar with vegetable oil until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating about 30 seconds after each addition.
  4. Pour in buttermilk and vanilla extract. Stir gently but thoroughly.
  5. Add black gel food coloring to the wet mixture and stir until color is uniform.
  6. Slowly add dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  7. Spoon batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  10. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition.
  11. Stir in fresh orange zest, orange juice (to desired consistency), and vanilla extract.
  12. Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cupcakes. Optionally, sprinkle with black sanding sugar or edible glitter.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for deep black color without thinning batter. Avoid overmixing to keep cupcakes tender. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Fresh orange zest brightens frosting flavor. Frosting consistency can be adjusted with orange juice or chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, black velvet cupcakes, orange cream cheese frosting, spooky treats, easy Halloween dessert

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/perfect-black-velvet-midnight-halloween-cupcakes-with-easy-orange-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/