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    Home » Halloween

    Halloween Skeleton Cupcakes

    Updated: Oct 11, 2023 · Published: Oct 11, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    halloween centerpiece ideas
    halloween centerpiece ideas
    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Dare to dive into the spookiest treat of the season? These Skeleton Cupcakes are the perfect blend of creepy and cute- a perfect centerpiece for any Halloween bash. 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Get ready to charm your guests with a dessert that's as hauntingly delicious as it looks! These adorable little cupcakes are decorated with skeletons made from marshmallows and candy coated pretzels. 

    And while it might look like these took all day to make, you’ll be glad to know they can be made in under an hour – and that includes homemade cupcakes! 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    These Halloween Skeleton Cupcakes are: 

    • A fun, kid friendly recipe. 
    • Simply delicious. 
    • Adorably spooky.
    • The perfect Halloween treat.
    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Supplies You’ll Need

    The full ingredient list and step by step instructions are in the recipe card below (along with a video), but here are a few unique supplies you’ll need for this Halloween treat: 

    Lollipop Sticks – You’ll need lollipop sticks (like these) for constructing the skeleton body. Popsicle sticks could work as an alternative.

    Food Safe Marker – Be sure to only write on the marshmallows with a food safe marker that uses edible ink. I like these from Wilton.

    Marshmallows – You will need both the traditional large size and mini marshmallows.

    White Candy Melts – I like to use these Wilton Candy Melts, but you can use any similar brand or white chocolate.

    Mini Pretzels – You’ll need the tiny size pretzels for your skeleton bodies.

    Oreo Cookies – Ok, this one is self explanatory. You’ll want to remove the filling and crush up the Oreo cookies for the “dirt” topping. If you like, you can mix the Oreo filling into your frosting, as it’s just buttercream.

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    How to Decorate Skeleton Cupcakes for Halloween 

    Start off by prepping the candy coated pretzels. I used these Wilton Candy Melts, but you can use any brand you prefer or even a white chocolate instead. 

    Melt the white candies in a small bowl in the microwave. Then dip each pretzels into the white candy coating, and set them aside on a piece of parchment paper to harden. 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Meanwhile, add a big spoonful of white frosting to each cupcake and smooth into a flat, even layer. Then dip each cupcake into the crushed Oreos – or you can simply sprinkle the crushed Oreos over top of the cupcakes. 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Next, take the large sized marshmallows and draw a spooky skeleton face on each one, using the food safe marker. (Make sure to only use a food safe marker for this!) 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    When the pretzels are hardened up and the cupcakes are cool enough to handle, you can assemble the skeletons! Stick a lollipop stick into each cupcake. Then thread on a mini marshmallow followed by a candy coated pretzel. Continue until you have three pretzels and four marshmallows on the stick- and then add the marshmallow face. 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    And ta-dah! You have the spookiest cupcake to ever grace your Halloween table. 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Helpful Tips & Variations

    Cheat with store bought cupcakes. Take the easy way out and use pre-made vanilla frosted cupcakes. Then simply add the crushed Oreos and your marshmallow skeletons. Easy peasy!

    Mix up the flavors. I used a simple vanilla cupcake and vanilla frosting for this recipe. But you can use any of your favorite cupcake recipes. Chocolate would also be a great easy choice. 

    Make different creatures! Get creative and make your own spooky ghouls and goblins. Try it with green candy melts and some green food safe markers for a Frankenstein cupcake. 

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    More Spooky Treats

    If you love these Halloween Skeleton Cupcakes, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas: 

    • Crazy Easy Halloween Cupcakes
    • Classic Pumpkin Bars
    • Halloween Pudding Shots
    • 25 Best Pumpkin Desserts

    Recipe

    halloween centerpiece ideas

    Halloween Skeleton Cupcakes

    All She Cooks
    These Skeleton Cupcakes are the perfect blend of creepy and cute- a perfect centerpiece for any Halloween bash.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 45 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Cupcakes, Desserts, Halloween
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 cupcakes
    Calories 532 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Cupcakes:

    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup whole milk

    Supply List:

    • 2 cups Vanilla Frosting
    • 1 cup crushed Oreo Cookies filling removed and cookies crushed
    • 12 large Marshmallows
    • 1 black food safe marker
    • 12 lollipop sticks
    • 48 mini marshmallows
    • 36 mini pretzels
    • 12 oz white candy melts
    • Parchment Paper

    Instructions
     

    To Make the Cupcakes:

    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
    • In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. This can take about 2-3 minutes.
    • Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
    • Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients, while mixing. Mix until just combined.
    • Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
    • Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
    • Once done, remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool until they are safe to handle for decorating.

    To Make the Skeleton Decorations:

    • Melt the white candy melts in the microwave, heating in 30 second increments, stirring after each to prevent burning.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Carefully dip the pretzels into the chocolate, using a fork to drain off any excess chocolate. Place the pretzels on a sheet of parchment paper to set.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • For a thicker candy coating, you can allow the pretzels to set and then dip them a second time.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Add a spoonful of frosting to the top of each cupcake, and spread it into a thick, even layer.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Dip each cupcake into the crushed Oreos.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Use the food safe marker to draw a skeleton face on each large marshmallow. Set them aside until they dry.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Insert a lollipop stick into the cupcake. Then, slide one mini marshmallow onto the lollipop stick.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Follow with a yogurt covered pretzel. Repeat twice, until you have three pretzels on the skeleton body.
      halloween centerpiece ideas
    • Top with a skeleton face marshmallow. Repeat for all the cupcakes!
      halloween centerpiece ideas

    Video

    Notes

    • You can mix the filling from the Oreos into your frosting if you wish – it’s simply buttercream.
    • For a quick and easy treat – use store bought vanilla cupcakes and simply follow the decorating instructions to add your skeletons. Easy peasy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 532kcalCarbohydrates: 82gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 296mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 1gSugar: 60gVitamin A: 293IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Halloween centerpiece, Halloween cupcakes, Halloween dessert, Halloween treats, skeleton cupcakes
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    Nicole is a recipe developer, food photographer, and published cookbook author. At All She Cooks, she shares simple recipes to make every day a little bit more delicious. About Us →


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