Name: Goth Cupcakes
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar; 1 3/4 cups (218-241 grams) flour; 6 tablespoons (42 grams) dutch-process cocoa powder; 6 tablespoons (42 grams) black cocoa powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 large eggs; 1 cup milk of choice; 1/2 cup (120 ml) canola or vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup (236 ml) boiling water; 1 pound (450 grams) full-fat cream cheese; 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons (155 grams) unsalted butter; 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; up to 1.5 oz (38-42 grams) No-Taste Christmas Red Gel Food Coloring

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Are you ready to embrace the dark side with these Goth Cupcakes? These enchanting treats, with their rich, dark chocolate base and strikingly vibrant red cream cheese frosting, are the perfect blend of spooky and sweet. Each bite delivers a moist, tender crumb infused with delightful cocoa goodness, ideal for any occasion—from Halloween parties to gothic-inspired gatherings. You’ll be surprised at how easily you can create these showstoppers right from your own kitchen. Let’s dive into this deliciously dark adventure!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Goth Cupcakes
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Goth Cupcakes

You might be wondering what makes Goth Cupcakes so irresistible. Well, beyond their charmingly eerie aesthetic, these cupcakes make a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Their deep, chocolaty flavor paired with the tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting will have everyone enchanted. Plus, this recipe is simple enough for beginners yet impressive enough to wow your guests. Join me, and let’s whip up a batch that will surely enchant your friends and family!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip up a batch in just 25 minutes prep time, and bake away for about 90 minutes.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of Dutch-process cocoa and black cocoa creates a decadent, rich taste.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The dramatic contrast between the dark cupcakes and bright red frosting is sure to impress.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, celebrations, or a unique everyday treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easy to modify with gluten-free flour or dairy-free cream cheese for special dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes beautifully, ensuring a moist texture.
1 3/4 cups flour: Use all-purpose flour, but you can substitute with gluten-free flour if needed.
6 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder: This gives a deep chocolate flavor.
6 tablespoons black cocoa powder: For an intense and dark chocolate hue.
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and become fluffy.
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder for perfect leavening.
1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
2 large eggs (room temperature): Provides structure and moisture.
1 cup milk: Use your favorite milk alternative, but avoid canned coconut milk for this recipe.
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes moist and tender.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Adds a warm, sweet note.
1 cup boiling water: Makes the batter thin and helps create ultra moist cupcakes.
1 pound full-fat cream cheese (room temperature): The star of the frosting, giving it a rich texture.
1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature): Adds creaminess and helps with spreadability.
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: For flavoring the frosting.
1 pinch salt: Balances the sweetness of the frosting.
Up to 1.5 oz No-Taste Christmas Red Gel Food Coloring: Gives the frosting an eye-catching red hue without any bitter taste.

How to Make Goth Cupcakes

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners. This is your first step towards crafting gorgeous and spooky treats.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 3/4 cups flour, 6 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder, 6 tablespoons black cocoa powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. This blend creates the foundation of your dark cupcakes.

Combine Wet Ingredients: Add 2 large eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup canola oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.

Incorporate Boiling Water: Carefully stir in 1 cup boiling water. The batter may look thin—this is perfect for ultra-moist cupcakes! Divide the batter among the 24 muffin liners, filling each about three-quarters full.

Bake the Cupcakes: Pop the pans into your preheated oven and bake for 17-25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check for doneness, making sure there are moist crumbs but no liquid batter.

Cool Down: After baking, let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Then carefully turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here is key for perfect frosting later.

Make the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1 pound of cream cheese and 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter at medium speed until well combined. Don’t worry if it looks a little crumbly!

Add Sweetness: Gradually beat in 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar until everything is combined. Follow this with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor.

Color the Frosting: Stir in the No-Taste Christmas Red Gel Food Coloring until well mixed. Adjust the color to your liking!

Pipe the Frosting: If your frosting is too soft to pipe, pop it in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. Once firm, use a piping bag fitted with Wilton Tip 1M (or your favorite tip) to swirl frosting on top of each cupcake, aiming for a generous swirl.

Store Up to a Week: Keep those unfrosted cupcakes for up to 4 days at room temperature, but after 2 days, it’s best to chill them. Frosted cupcakes can stay in the fridge for 3 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just remember, frozen treats might have softer liners, but the flavor will remain fabulous!

Storing & Reheating

To store your cupcakes, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week for added freshness. For longer storage, you can freeze unfrosted or frosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. When it’s time to enjoy them, enjoy them chilled or allow them to thaw at room temperature. If you prefer to warm them slightly, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Note that frosting may soften a bit, but the flavors will be just delightful!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix gently to keep the cupcakes fluffy.
Egg Temperature: Bringing eggs to room temperature helps them blend better into the batter.
Be Patient: Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting—this prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off.
Texture Check: If the cupcakes are too dense, next time try sifting the flour to aerate it.
Experiment with Flavors: You can infuse spices like cinnamon or a hint of espresso in the batter for added depth.
Frosting Adjustments: If your frosting feels too soft, chill it a little longer before piping.

These Goth Cupcakes are not just a pretty face; they’re a delightful treat with a combination of flavors that’s sure to impress. Baking these beauties is a great way to express creativity in the kitchen, and you can personalize them as much as you like. With a little practice, you’ll master both the cupcakes and the frosting, creating a perfect balance of moistness and flavor.

Are you excited to see how delicious your Goth Cupcakes can turn out? The hint of cocoa combined with that vibrant frosting will be a treat for the eyes and taste buds alike. Don’t hold back—embrace your inner dark baker and enjoy every scrumptious bite!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of cocoa powder?

Absolutely! Dutch-process cocoa gives a rich flavor, but you can use natural cocoa too. Just note that it might slightly change the color and taste of your cupcakes.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Substituting the all-purpose flour with a robust gluten-free blend works well. Be sure to check that your baking powder is gluten-free as well.

What kind of food coloring should I use?

I recommend No-Taste Christmas Red Gel Food Coloring for a vivid hue without an acrid aftertaste. Other gel or paste colors would work too, but avoid liquid food coloring as it can affect the consistency of the frosting.

How do I frost the cupcakes without a piping bag?

If you don’t have a piping bag, simply use a spatula or a butter knife to spread the frosting on top. It will give a charming rustic look to your Goth Cupcakes!