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Cozy Ghost Cupcakes – Easy Vanilla Buttercream Recipe

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These Cozy Ghost Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Swirl are soft, tender vanilla cupcakes topped with a silky buttercream ghost. They’re forgiving, fun, and perfect for Halloween or any cozy autumn occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60g) sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3–4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Black gel food coloring (optional)
  • White sanding sugar or sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together milk and sour cream. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in three additions, alternating with milk mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For buttercream: Beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons cream. Beat on medium-high 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with additional cream or powdered sugar as needed.
  9. Fit a piping bag with a large round tip (Wilton 1A). Fill with buttercream. Pipe a tall, round blob starting at center of cupcake, pulling up slightly to create a peak.
  10. Press two mini chocolate chips into frosting for eyes. Optionally, use black gel food coloring to pipe a mouth.
  11. Refrigerate decorated cupcakes for 15 minutes before serving for best texture.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. If buttercream is too soft, chill for 10 minutes before piping. Imperfect ghosts are charming—don’t stress about perfection.

Nutrition

Keywords: ghost cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, buttercream ghosts, easy Halloween dessert, cozy baking

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/cozy-ghost-cupcakes-easy-vanilla-buttercream-recipe/