Elevate your Halloween gathering to new, spooky levels!
This decadent recipe from Sweet July resident Gabrielle McBay combines a rich Black Velvet cake with a smooth cream cheese buttercream. Garnish with your favorite festive decor. Get the recipe below!
RECIPE:
Gabrielle McBay's Midnight Black Velvet Cupcakes
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
1 pkg chocolate pudding mix, optional
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 oz. black food coloring, or color of choice
CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup butter (2 sticks), room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4-6 cups powdered sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate pudding mix, baking soda, and salt) and stir together really well with a wire whisk.
- In a separate bowl, lightly whisk eggs and add remaining liquid ingredients (buttermilk, vegetable oil, vinegar, vanilla, food coloring). Blend together with a whisk until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix for about a minute or two, or until completely combined. Scrape sides with a silicone spatula and be sure not to overbeat the batter, to keep your cupcakes light and fluffy.
- Portion batter with an ice cream scoop into lined cupcake pans, and then shake/tap the pan on the counter a few times, to release any air bubbles.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- After about 10-15 minutes, remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the Cream Cheese Buttercream: Sift sugar and set aside. Beat cream cheese and butter on high until lightened and creamy. Add vanilla. Then, add the powdered sugar in batches. Scrape down the sides in between each addition. Once frosting is all mixed in and glossy-it’s time to frost!
- Frost and garnish cupcakes to preference and enjoy with your favorite people.
