Print

Perfect Black Velvet Cupcakes with Easy Spiderweb Top

black velvet cupcakes - featured image
Print Recipe

Moist, rich black velvet cupcakes topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting and an easy spiderweb design. Perfect for Halloween, these nostalgic treats come together in about 45 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • ½ cup (120ml) hot coffee or hot water
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons black gel food coloring
  • 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 to 4 cups (340g to 450g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Set cream cheese and butter out to soften.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Make a well in the center and add vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and white vinegar. Whisk until just combined; do not overmix.
  4. Pour in hot coffee (or hot water) and black gel food coloring. Stir gently with a rubber spatula until batter is smooth and uniformly black. Batter will be thin.
  5. Fill each liner about ⅔ full using a cookie scoop or ¼ cup measure.
  6. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  8. For the frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low. Once all sugar is added, beat on high for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  9. Frost each cupcake generously with cream cheese frosting using an offset spatula or piping bag.
  10. To create the spiderweb: Fill a piping bag or zip-top bag with a small round tip (or snip a tiny corner) with about ½ cup frosting. Pipe a spiral from the center outward on each cupcake. Using a toothpick or skewer, gently drag lines from the center outward like spokes on a wheel. Wipe toothpick clean between cupcakes.

Notes

Use gel food coloring, not liquid, for a true black color. Let ingredients come to room temperature for best results. Hot coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee. For clean spiderweb lines, wipe the toothpick clean between each set of lines. Chill frosted cupcakes for 10 minutes to set the design.

Nutrition

Keywords: black velvet cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, spiderweb cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, black velvet, Halloween dessert, easy cupcakes

Find it online: https://bitesienna.com/perfect-black-velvet-cupcakes-with-easy-spiderweb-top/