Easy & Spooky Vanilla Spider Cupcakes: The Ultimate Halloween Treat Recipe
Get ready to enchant your taste buds and delight your little ghouls with these absolutely enchanting spider cupcakes! Perfectly moist and tender, bursting with classic vanilla flavor, and topped with whimsical licorice legs, these treats are incredibly simple to bake and decorate. Forget complicated confections; our recipe ensures you’ll whip up a batch of delicious, spooky delights that will be the talk of any Halloween gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these creepy-crawly creations are a must-try for a truly memorable Halloween.
Easy Spider Halloween Cupcakes: A Delightful Spooky Bake
Sunday has always been my dedicated baking day, and with Halloween around the corner, what better way to spend it than crafting a batch of delightfully spooky treats? The inspiration for these enchanting spider cupcakes came from a wonderful idea I stumbled upon at Taste of Home. I immediately knew I had to put my own spin on it, creating a variant that’s not only visually striking but also incredibly delicious and easy for anyone to recreate.
The moment these freshly baked spider cupcakes emerged from the kitchen, the aroma of sweet vanilla filled the air. And after the first bite, I was absolutely thrilled with the results. But the real validation came from the children – their faces lit up with flabbergasted delight! It was clear these were a huge success. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: it’s quick to prepare, requires no advanced baking skills, and delivers a fantastic, eye-catching effect that’s perfect for any Halloween party or simply as a fun family activity. We’ve already made plans to bake these again for our upcoming Halloween bash!
Baking for Halloween is about more than just making food; it’s about creating memories, fostering excitement, and adding a touch of playful spookiness to the season. These vanilla spider cupcakes tick all those boxes, offering a wholesome, homemade alternative to store-bought treats. They’re a fantastic way to get kids involved in the kitchen, from mixing the batter to carefully placing the licorice legs and M&M eyes. This recipe is designed to be stress-free, ensuring you can focus on the fun of Halloween without getting bogged down by complicated baking steps.
What You’ll Need for These Spooky Spider Cupcakes: Simple Ingredients, Big Impact
Creating these adorable yet eerie spider cupcakes for Halloween is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to a list of common ingredients. You won’t need any exotic items; just a few pantry staples for the moist vanilla cupcakes and some fun edible decorations to bring your spiders to life. Here’s a quick overview of the essential ingredients:
The base of these cupcakes is a classic vanilla recipe, ensuring they are universally loved. The key to their tender, airy texture lies in using room-temperature ingredients – a small detail that makes a big difference. For the decoration, we’ll be using a combination of creamy Nutella, crunchy chocolate sprinkles, vibrant M&M’s for the eyes, and flexible licorice laces for those iconic spider legs. This blend of textures and flavors makes each bite a delightful experience, while the playful presentation captures the essence of Halloween fun. Remember, you can always customize the colors of your M&M’s or even the type of licorice to personalize your spooky creations!
Share Your Spooky Creations!
Did you try your hand at this delicious spider cupcake recipe? We’d absolutely love to see your spooky creations! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I regularly share the most beautiful photos from fellow home cooks, and your work might just be featured next! Your feedback is invaluable, so if you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a rating on the recipe card below. It helps not only me but also inspires other aspiring bakers in our community.
Need more inspiration for your next baking adventure or holiday feast?
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
5 minutes
25 minutes
30 minutes
Sweets and Sweet Baking
American
6
cupcakes
430
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
Cupcakes
-
1
stick
butter,
unsalted, room temperature -
⅔
cups
sugar -
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract -
2
eggs,
size L -
1
cup
self-rising flour -
2
tablespoons
milk
Decoration
-
4
tablespoons
Nutella paste -
4
tablespoons
Chocolate sprinkles -
6
licorice laces -
12
M & M’s ,
green and red for a spooky effect
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
Preparation
-
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) for standard ovens, or 320 °F (160 °C) for convection ovens. -
Line a 6-cup muffin baking pan with paper cupcake liners. This makes for easy removal and cleanup.
Cupcakes
-
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about three minutes on high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and airy. This step is crucial for tender cupcakes.1 stick butter,
⅔ cups sugar -
Beat in the vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated into the batter before adding the next to maintain a smooth consistency.1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
2 eggs -
Continue to mix the batter for another two minutes to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is well aerated. -
Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add half of the self-rising flour, mixing until just combined. Then, pour in the milk, followed by the remaining flour. Mix only until the flour is fully incorporated and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cupcakes.1 cup self-rising flour,
2 tablespoons milk -
Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Place the baking pan into the preheated oven. -
Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cupcakes are golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. -
Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature. This is essential before decorating.
Decoration
-
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously spread a layer of Nutella paste over the top of each cupcake. This will act as the “body” of your spider and also help the sprinkles adhere.4 tablespoons Nutella paste -
Gently sprinkle the chocolate sprinkles over the Nutella layer, pressing lightly to ensure they stick and create a “hairy” spider texture.4 tablespoons Chocolate sprinkles -
Prepare the spider legs by cutting the licorice laces into small pieces, approximately 1 ½ inches (about 3 cm) long. You will need eight pieces for each spider cupcake.6 licorice laces -
Using a skewer or a toothpick, carefully create eight small holes around the edge of each cupcake (where the Nutella begins). Insert one licorice lace piece into each hole to form the spider’s legs. -
For the eyes, dab a tiny bit of Nutella onto the back of each M&M (the side without the printed letter) and gently “glue” two M&Ms onto the center of each cupcake. Position them to look like two beady spider eyes!12 M & M’s
Notes & Tips for Perfect Spider Cupcakes
2. Chocolate sprinkles: Feel free to choose your preferred type of chocolate sprinkles! Dark chocolate sprinkles will give your spiders a more intense, richer color and flavor, while milk chocolate sprinkles offer a sweeter, milder touch. Both work beautifully for creating that fuzzy spider body effect.
3. Eyes: Get creative with your spider eyes! While green and red M&M’s create a classic spooky effect, you could use different colored M&M’s to make a dozen of distinctively scary (or even funny!) spiders. For an even bigger impact, consider using candy googly eyes, which are readily available in baking aisles during Halloween season. You can also use mini chocolate chips if you prefer a simpler look.
4. Variations and substitutions for your spooky treats:
- Self-rising flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour on hand, you can easily create your own. Substitute with 1 cup of all-purpose flour mixed with 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Sift them together to ensure even distribution.
- Nutella: For an alternative to Nutella, you could use dark chocolate ganache, a simple chocolate buttercream frosting, or even a dark apple butter if you’re looking for a fruitier, less sweet option. Chocolate paste is also an excellent substitute for the base of the spider body.
- M&M’s: Other colorful candy options like Smarties, Skittles, or even jelly beans can be used instead of M&M’s for the spider eyes. Choose vibrant colors to make your spiders truly pop!
- Licorice lace: If black licorice isn’t a favorite, or if you want to add more color, strawberry laces or other fruit-flavored candy laces work just as well for the legs. They add a fun, unexpected splash of color to your spooky-cute spiders.
5. Storage & Freshness:
- Undeccorated Cupcakes: The plain vanilla cupcakes can be stored, undecorated, for up to two days at room temperature. Always keep them in an airtight container to maintain their moisture and freshness.
- Freezing: You can also freeze undecorated cupcakes. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. This way, they can be stored for up to one month, making them perfect for preparing ahead of time for a party. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
- Decorated Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are decorated with Nutella, sprinkles, and licorice, they are best enjoyed the same day. The moisture from the frosting can sometimes cause the licorice to become softer over time, and the sprinkles might bleed colors. For optimal freshness and appearance, decorate them shortly before serving.
6. Baking for the family: These cupcakes are incredibly fun to make with kids. Let them help with mixing (under supervision), decorating with sprinkles, and placing the M&M eyes. It’s a fantastic way to create lasting Halloween memories together in the kitchen!
7. Perfect Party Food: Serve these spider cupcakes as a centerpiece on your Halloween dessert table. They pair wonderfully with other spooky treats like ghost brownies or witch finger cookies, adding a playful and delicious element to your festive spread.
Nutrition
Calories:
430
kcal
Carbohydrates:
54
g
Protein:
5
g
Fat:
22
g
Saturated Fat:
14
g
Trans Fat:
1
g
Cholesterol:
96
mg
Sodium:
169
mg
Fiber:
1
g
Sugar:
37
g
Vitamin A:
563
IU
Iron:
1
mg
a Halloween treat, spider cupcakes, easy Halloween cupcakes, licorice legs, vanilla cupcakes
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More Spooky Halloween Treats to Explore
If you’ve enjoyed making these delightful spider cupcakes, you’re in for more festive fun! Halloween is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen, and we have plenty of other spine-tingling recipes that are just as easy and exciting to make. Whether you’re planning a full Halloween party menu or just looking for some spooky snacks to enjoy, check out these other popular Halloween recipes:
- Creepy Witch Fingers Bread Sticks
- Halloween Ghost Cupcakes with Chocolate Faces
- Halloween recipe Nutella Chocolate Cupcakes with Spiderwebs