These citrusy monster eyeball cupcakes are sure to be a hit this Halloween. These spooky treats are made from a fluffy lime cupcake paired with a sweet orange frosting and candy monster eyeballs. Super simple to make and decorate, these festive cupcakes will make a great addition to your Halloween treat table.
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Looking for a festive and spooky treat to make this Halloween? These Halloween monster eyeball cupcakes are sure to be a hit with the kids! Made with simple ingredients like store-bought cake mix, jello, and candy eyeballs, they come together quickly and easily. You can even get the kids involved in decorating them! Simply pipe on some frosting, then top with candy eyeballs. Serve them up at your next Halloween party or enjoy them as an after-school snack - either way, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Halloween monster eyeball cupcakes are:
- Easy to make - just a few simple ingredients and you’re good to go!
- Fun to decorate - get the kids involved in adding the candy eyeballs.
- Perfect for a Halloween party or after-school snack.
What You’ll Need To Make Monster Eyeball Cupcakes
Lime Cupcakes
- White cake mix: This is my go-to cake mix for these cupcakes, but you can also use any other kind of neutral or citrus-flavored cake mix.
- Canola or coconut oil: You’ll need oil to make the cupcakes nice and moist. You can use any neutral-flavored oil here, but canola or coconut oil is a safe bet!
- Egg whites: You’ll need 4 large egg whites to make the cupcakes. I like to use egg whites because they make the cupcakes nice and fluffy, but you can also use whole eggs if you prefer.
- Lime jello: This is what gives the cupcakes their citrusy flavor. You can use any kind of lime jello here. The amount of jello you use will impact the flavor - use 1 ounce of jello mix for a subtle flavor, and up to 3 ounces for a stronger lime flavor.
Orange Frosting
- Salted butter: I like to use salted butter in my frosting because I think it balances out the sweetness of the icing sugar. If you prefer, you can use unsalted butter instead.
- Powdered sugar: Also known as icing sugar, this is what gives the frosting its sweetness and body.
- Vanilla coffee creamer: This is my secret ingredient for the best buttercream frosting! It adds a rich flavor and creaminess that takes this frosting to the next level. If you don't have vanilla coffee creamer, feel free to use heavy cream or milk.
- Orange jello: This is what gives the frosting its orange flavor. You can use any kind of orange jello here. The amount of jello you use will impact the flavor - use 1 ounce of jello mix for a subtle flavor, and up to 3 ounces for a stronger orange flavor.
- Orange gel food coloring: This is optional, but it will give the frosting a nice orange color.
- Candy eyeballs: These are what turn these cupcakes into monster eyeball cupcakes! You can find them at most craft stores or online.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a standard 12-cavity cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Bonus points if you use some fun Halloween-themed cupcake liners.
In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix on medium speed until well incorporated.
Evenly divide the batter into 2 bowls. Add the lime jello to one bowl and mix well.
Alternate layering the batter into the cupcake liners, first with the green and then with the white, until each cavity is about ⅔ full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
While waiting for the cupcakes to cool, make the frosting. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy.
Slowly mix in the orange jello and then the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time until creamy and peaks form. Add 1-3 tablespoons of the vanilla coffee creamer in between the powdered sugar as needed.
Add 1-3 drops of the orange food color to the frosting, depending on your desired color.
Transfer the frosting to a large piping bag with an open star tip and decorate each cupcake with a swirl of frosting. Garnish with candy monster eyes if desired and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
If you don't have lime or orange jello, feel free to use any other flavor of jello mix. Lemon, grape, vanilla, or strawberry would all be delicious!
If you want to make these cupcakes without the citrus flavor, simply omit the jello mix from both the batter and frosting. You can add a few drops of food coloring to the frosting if desired.
How To Store Leftovers
These cupcakes are best served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a hot climate, I recommend storing them in the fridge to prevent the frosting from melting.
If you want to keep your monster eyeball cupcakes longer, they can be frozen. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of cake mix should I use?
A: Any kind of white or yellow cake mix will work for this recipe. I like to use Betty Crocker or Pillsbury cake mix.
Q: Can I use a different kind of frosting?
A: Yes, you can use any kind of frosting you like. A cream cheese frosting would be delicious!
Q: Can I make these cupcakes without the jello mix?
A: Yes, you can omit the jello mix from both the batter and frosting. You can add a few drops of food coloring to the frosting if desired. Some other great Halloween-themed colors are green, purple, and black.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer: This mixer is perfect for making cupcakes and frosting. The paddle attachment beats the frosting to fluffy perfection and the tilt-head design makes it easy to add ingredients.
USA Pan Bakeware Muffin Pan: This 12-cavity muffin pan is perfect for baking cupcakes. It's made with heavy gauge aluminum and has a non-stick coating for easy release.
Riccle Disposable Piping Bags 12 Inch: You’ll need a piping bag to pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. I like to use disposable piping bags for easy clean-up, but you can also use a reusable bag.
Wilton Cupcake Decorating Icing Tips: If you want to get fancy with your decorating, these icing tips are perfect for creating different designs on your cupcakes.
Halloween Cupcake Wrappers: These cupcake wrappers are perfect for Halloween! They’ll make your cupcakes look extra festive.
Wilton Mini Candy Eyeballs: These candy eyeballs are the perfect finishing touch for your monster cupcakes!
More Recipes You Might Like
📖 Recipe
Easy Halloween Monster Eyeball Cupcakes
Ingredients
Lime Cupcakes
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1¼ cups water
- ⅓ cup canola or coconut oil
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 box lime jello
Orange Frosting
- 2 cups butter salted
- 3 tablespoon vanilla coffee creamer
- 1 box orange jello
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 bag candy monster eyes
- orange gel food coloring
Instructions
Lime Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a standard 12-cavity cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites. Using a hand or stand mixer, mix on medium speed until well incorporated.
- Evenly divide the batter into 2 bowls. Add the lime jello to one bowl and mix well.
- Alternate layering the batter into the cupcake liners, first with the green and then with the white, until each cavity is about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Orange Frosting
- While waiting for the cupcakes to cool, make the frosting. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream the butter, and beat until light and fluffy.
- Slowly mix in the orange jello and then the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time until creamy and peaks form.
- Add 1-3 tablespoons of the vanilla coffee creamer in between the powdered sugar as needed.
- Add 1-3 drops of the orange food color to the frosting, depending on your desired color.
- Transfer the frosting to a large piping bag with an open star tip and decorate each cupcake with a swirl of frosting.
- Garnish with candy monster eyes if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Marina Lotaif | Yes To Tech says
These cupcakes look sooo cool! Literally can't wait to make them this Halloween!
Nadalie says
Such fun and easy way to prepare with kids! This is a must do!