8 Spooktacular Ghostly Cupcakes for Halloween Fun!

Name: 8 Spooktacular Ghostly Cupcakes for Halloween Fun!
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup milk; 2 cups white frosting; Mini chocolate chips for eyes

Author: lia

Published: September 1, 2025

Updated: September 13, 2025

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Oh my gosh, you guys – Halloween baking just got a whole lot cuter! These Ghostly Cupcakes have been my go-to spooky treat for years because they’re ridiculously easy to make (we’re talking beginner-friendly) and always steal the show at parties. I’m not kidding when I say kids and adults both go crazy for them!

The best part? You probably have most ingredients in your pantry already. We’re taking simple vanilla cupcakes and turning them into adorable little ghosts with just white frosting and chocolate chip eyes. My secret? The ghosts look extra spooky when you give them slightly uneven eyes – like they’re floating right off the cupcake! Trust me, these will be the hit of your Halloween spread, and you’ll love how quickly they come together.

Why You’ll Love These Ghostly Cupcakes

These little spooks check all the boxes for the perfect Halloween treat:

So easy a zombie could make them – Simple ingredients, no fancy skills needed
Instant Halloween magic – Transforms basic cupcakes into festive ghosts in minutes
Kid-approved fun – Let little hands place the chocolate chip eyes (messy is better!)
Party perfect – Makes 12 adorable cupcakes ready to haunt your dessert table
Endlessly customizable – Add food coloring or sprinkles for extra spookiness

Ingredients for Ghostly Cupcakes

Here’s everything you’ll need to summon these adorable ghost cupcakes from your kitchen:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it, don’t pack!
1 cup granulated sugar – The ghosts need their sweetness
1 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp baking soda – Our rising spirits
1/4 tsp salt – Just a pinch to balance flavors
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – Left out for 30 minutes works perfectly
2 large eggs, room temp – Takes the chill off for better mixing
1 tsp vanilla extract – The secret ghost whisperer
1/2 cup milk – Whole milk makes them extra fluffy
2 cups white frosting – Store-bought or homemade both work
Mini chocolate chips – For those cute ghostly eyes

See? Mostly pantry staples! Pro tip: Measure everything before you start – it makes the baking process feel like magic.

Equipment You’ll Need

Gather these simple tools before you start your ghostly baking adventure:

Muffin tin – Standard 12-cup works perfectly
Cupcake liners – White or Halloween-themed for extra spirit
Mixing bowls – One for dry, one for wet ingredients
Electric mixer – Or strong arms and a whisk if you’re feeling brave!
Piping bag & tip (optional) – For fancy frosting, or just use a spoon
Small spatula – To scrape every last bit of batter

That’s it! No fancy gadgets required – just basic baking essentials to create your spooky masterpieces.

How to Make Ghostly Cupcakes

Ready to bring these adorable ghosts to life? Follow these simple steps for spooktacular success!

Preparing the Batter

First things first – preheat your oven to 350°F and line that muffin tin with cupcake liners. Now, let’s make magic happen! In one bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, then add eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract.

Here’s my grandma’s trick: alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with dry. Mix just until combined – overmixing makes tough ghosts! The batter should be thick but pourable.

Baking and Cooling

Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full – I use an ice cream scoop for perfect portioning. Pop them in the oven for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Pro tip: rotate the pan halfway through for even baking!

Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Resist the urge to frost them warm – patience prevents melty ghost faces!

Decorating Your Ghostly Cupcakes

This is where the real fun begins! Once completely cooled, frost each cupcake with a generous swirl of white frosting. I like to make mine slightly messy for a “floating ghost” effect. Now for the personality – press two mini chocolate chips into each ghost’s “face” for eyes. I always give mine slightly crooked eyes – it makes them look properly spooky!

For extra neat decorations, chill the frosted cupcakes for 15 minutes before adding eyes. The frosting firms up and holds the chocolate chips perfectly. Now stand back and admire your hauntingly adorable creations!

Tips for Perfect Ghostly Cupcakes

Want ghost cupcakes that’ll make everyone scream (with delight)? Here are my tried-and-true tricks:

Chill out – Pop cupcakes in the fridge for 15 minutes before frosting for cleaner edges
Go bold with color – Gel food coloring makes the whitest ghosts (liquid dyes can make frosting runny)
Eyes have it – Press chocolate chips gently but firmly so they don’t tumble off
Store smart – Keep in an airtight container at room temp (no fridge – it dries them out!)
Time it right – Decorate same-day for freshest taste, but they’ll keep for 3 days

See? Easy peasy! These little tweaks make all the difference between “cute” and “BOO-tiful” results.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

Don’t panic if you’re missing something – these ghostly cupcakes are super flexible! Here are my favorite swaps and spooky twists:

Dairy-free? Use coconut oil instead of butter and almond milk in place of regular milk
Gluten-sensitive? A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works perfectly
Extra eerie: Add 1 tbsp black cocoa powder to the batter for “dirt” cupcakes – ghosts rising from the grave!
Halloween colors: Tint the frosting pale green or purple for paranormal pals
Grown-up version: Brush cooled cupcakes with orange liqueur before frosting

The best part? You can mix and match these ideas to create your own signature spooky treats!

Storing and Serving Ghostly Cupcakes

These spooky sweets stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days – no fridge needed! The frosting holds up beautifully unless it gets too warm. Serve them at room temp so the chocolate chip eyes stay put and the flavors shine. Pro tip: Keep them away from direct sunlight unless you want melty ghosts!

Ghostly Cupcakes Nutritional Information

Just FYI – these numbers are estimates per cupcake! One spooky treat clocks in at about 240 calories with 18g sugar and 10g fat. Perfect for a little Halloween indulgence!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boxed cake mix for Ghostly Cupcakes?
Absolutely! Just prepare a white or vanilla box mix according to package directions. The decorating magic happens with the frosting and chocolate chip eyes – no one will know your little secret!

How do I make vegan Ghostly Cupcakes?
Easy peasy! Swap eggs for flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), use vegan butter, and choose dairy-free milk and frosting. The ghosts won’t know the difference – they’ll be just as spooky!

My frosting won’t stay white – help!
Ah, the ghostly glow struggle! Use gel food coloring (not liquid) to brighten store-bought frosting. Or make your own with powdered sugar, shortening, and a touch of vanilla. And remember – slightly off-white ghosts look more hauntingly authentic anyway!

Can kids help decorate these?
Oh my gosh, YES! Let them go wild placing the eyes – crooked, crossed, or even three-eyed ghosts make them extra special. Just keep wipes handy for chocolatey fingers!

Share Your Spooky Creations

I’d love to see your ghostly masterpieces! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment with photos – let’s make this the spookiest cupcake gallery ever! You can also find more inspiration on our Pinterest page.