Can I make Zombie Brain Cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, these cupcakes are great for making in advance. You can bake and frost them up to 3 days ahead. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and wait to drizzle the strawberry syrup until right before serving for the freshest look.

What piping tip should I use to make the “brain” design?

A small round piping tip, such as Wilton #5 or #7, works best. These tips let you create detailed squiggles that resemble the folds of a brain without overwhelming the cupcake.

How should I store decorated Halloween cupcakes?

Store the cupcakes in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, use parchment paper between the layers. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them and allow to return to room temp before serving.

Can I use different jams for the brain effect?

Absolutely. Raspberry or cherry jam work wonderfully and maintain the gory red look. Just make sure the jam isn’t too chunky, so it blends well into the buttercream and pipes smoothly. For a fun twist, try mixing in a little food coloring to match your party theme.

Zombie Brain Cupcakes That Are Scary Good for Halloween Parties

Ingredients

Scale

1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces) plus oil, water and eggs necessary to prepare the cupcakes

2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup)

½ cup strawberry jam

4 cups powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch kosher salt

¼ cup strawberry syrup for drizzling

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Instructions

1. Use cake mix to prepare 24 cupcakes according to package instructions. Let cool completely before decorating.

2. In a stand mixer, cream butter on medium speed until fluffy. Add strawberry jam and mix until incorporated.

3. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating on medium-low speed, until smooth.

4. Mix in vanilla and salt. Frost each cupcake lightly with buttercream.

5. Fill a piping bag with remaining buttercream. Pipe a curved line down the center, then add squiggles on each half to resemble brain texture.

6. Place cupcakes on a tray and drizzle with strawberry syrup before serving.

Notes

Frosted cupcakes will keep for 3 days in an airtight container. For the freshest look, drizzle syrup right before serving.

Author: Emily Frost
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cupcake
Calories: 280
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 160mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg