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Of all the seasonal bakes, Halloween cupcakes might just be the most joyfully extra.
They invite the kind of playful, hands-on decorating that feels nostalgic in the best way—like school parties, kitchen messes, and too much orange frosting.
But this year, they’re not just for kids. Alongside Halloween charcuterie boards and themed cocktails, cupcakes are having a bit of a grown-up glow-up too—equal parts cute and creepy, with just the right amount of drama
From playful monsters and googly-eyed spiders to elegant skulls and glossy candy-coated creations, this edit of 21 Halloween cupcake ideas covers the whole vibe spectrum—creepy, cute, and everything in between.
Some are delightfully easy for little hands to decorate, while others make a strong case for centrepiece status at your next party.
Bake them for the classroom, the table, or just because it’s October and you deserve a themed treat.
1. Mini Candy Corn Cheesecakes
CREDIT: LIFE, LOVE & SUGAR
Bright, buttery layers meet creamy cheesecake in these candy corn-inspired bites, crowned with a mini ghost clutching the most controversial Halloween sweet. Equal parts kitsch and cute, they’re a nostalgic nod to trick-or-treating in the early 2000s.
2. Witch Cupcakes for Halloween
CREDIT: A BEAUTIFUL MESS
Proof that Halloween baking doesn’t have to take itself too seriously—these cheeky little witches, with their liquorice braids and chocolate cone hats, are pure magic (and surprisingly simple to pull together).
3. Halloween Red Velvet Cupcakes
CREDIT: JO COOKS
A little gory, a little glam—these dramatic red velvet cupcakes topped with edible knives and raspberry ‘blood’ are giving full-on slasher chic. Perfect for grown-up parties or anyone in their American Horror Story era.
4. Vegan Blackberry & Chocolate Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: ADDICTED TO DATES
Moody and moorish, these skull-topped stunners feel more gothic romance than haunted house. Think deep, dark chocolate, velvety buttercream, and a scatter of juicy blackberries for a finish that’s almost too beautiful to eat.
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5. Easy Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: IF YOU GIVE A BLONDE A KITCHEN
Proof that you don’t need to overcomplicate things—these minimal cupcakes use a swirl of vanilla buttercream and a little chocolate piping magic to create skull faces, spiderwebs and ghostly swirls. Sweet, spooky, and effortlessly charming.
6. Dairy-Free Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: EMILY LEARY
A playful mix of gory drips, googly-eyed slime, and classic pumpkins, these fondant-topped cupcakes are a decorating dream. Ideal for little hands—or anyone who secretly lives for themed icing pens.
CREDIT: THE SQUEAKY MIXER
Bold orange frosting and those iconic black faces—these cupcakes are as classic as a pumpkin patch photo op (but far more delicious). They’re cheerful, cheeky, and surprisingly chic on a Halloween dessert table.
8. Halloween Dirt Cupcakes
CREDIT: LITTLE SUNNY KITCHEN
The childhood nostalgia is strong with this one. Crumbly “dirt,” squiggly sour worms, and rich chocolate frosting—it’s playful, messy, and just the right amount of gross.
9. 3 Easy Halloween Cupcake Ideas
CREDIT: THE BAKING CHOCOLATESS
Equal parts silly and slightly spooky, these brainy bakes are ideal if you’re going full mad-scientist party mode. Eyeballs, blobs and zombie-friendly frosting make them a hit with kids (and the young at heart).
10. Skeleton Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: COOKIE & CUPS
Made from chocolate-covered pretzels and marshmallows, these bony little characters are quirky, charming, and surprisingly low-lift. Plus, those rainbow sprinkles add a party feel that works at any age.
11. Easy Decorated Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: COOKING CLASSY
These are the baking equivalent of a Halloween costume that’s clever and cute. Using Oreos for faces and wings, they strike that perfect balance between crafty and crowd-pleasing.
12. Halloween Eyeball Cupcakes
CREDIT: CHELSWEETS
Not for the faint of heart, these red velvet eyeball cupcakes are pure Halloween spectacle. With vibrant irises and bloodshot detailing, they’re practically staring back at you—and yes, they taste as good as they look unsettling.
13. Halloween Funfetti Cupcakes
CREDIT: EAT COOK BAKE
A more refined take on spooky season, these emerald green cupcakes topped with swirls of violet buttercream feel straight out of a chic witch’s bakery. Sprinkle them with pastel nonpareils and you’ve got grown-up enchantment in every bite.
14. Vegan Spider Oreo Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: EMILY LEARY
These cheeky little spiders—made from Oreos, icing legs, and googly eyes—sit proudly atop vanilla frosting like they own the place. Equal parts fun and foolproof, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
15. Halloween Slime Cupcakes
CREDIT: THE BAKING EXPLORER
If edible slime makes your inner 9-year-old squeal with joy, these are your moment. Glossy black cake hides a gooey green centre, while candy eyeballs and vibrant icing deliver maximum monster energy.
16. Spiderweb Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: BLESS THIS MESS
Dark, decadent, and just a little mysterious—these cupcakes spin a subtle spiderweb swirl across rich, black cocoa frosting. Understated, moody, and absolutely begging to be paired with a glass of red.
17. Easy Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: MODERN GLAM
These tombstone-topped treats are spooky in the most nostalgic way. With simple vanilla cookies as gravestones and chocolate swirls for “dirt,” they’re cute enough for kids but still hit that vintage Halloween sweet spot for adults.
18. Easy Witch Hat Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: NIKKI’S PLATE
Bold, bright, and unmistakably on-theme—these orange-frosted cupcakes with fondant witch hats are giving main character energy at any October party. Add a black sprinkle halo and you’re basically ready for the coven.
19. Chocolate Halloween Spider Web Cupcakes
CREDIT: WILTON
Bright green icing webs on a swirl of violet buttercream? These are the fashion girlies of Halloween cupcakes—graphic, minimalist, and Instagram-ready with zero fondant faff.
20. Vegan Halloween Cupcake Monsters
CREDIT: FEASTING ON FRUIT
If you’re leaning a little more “natural-ish” this year, these adorable monsters made with purple frosting and fruit eyes are a clever twist on the theme. They’ve got just enough Halloween spirit without being overly sugary.
21. Easy Halloween Cupcakes
CREDIT: A BEAUTIFUL MESS
This playful assortment brings all the icons together—brains, bandaged mummies, bloody knives, tombstones and candy corn colours—like a horror film cast reunion (but way more delicious). Ideal for anyone who simply can’t pick a favourite.