Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

Name: Halloween Ghost Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: PT-489580H59M54S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 large egg whites (room temperature); 1/4 tsp cream of tartar; 1/2 cup white sugar; 1 stick unsalted butter (softened); 2 cups confectioner’s sugar; 2 tbsp milk; Purple gel food coloring; Black decorating frosting

Published: September 23, 2025

by Saphira

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cute and Festive: These cupcakes look great and add a fun Halloween theme to your dessert spread.
Simple Ingredients: Most ingredients are kitchen staples, making this recipe easy to whip up anytime.
Customizable: Feel free to switch up the colors or decorations to suit your party theme or personal taste.
Impressive Presentation: The combination of fluffy meringue and colorful frosting creates an eye-catching treat that’s sure to wow your guests.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Involve the kids in decorating! They’ll love piping the ghosts and adding their own creative touches.

Tools and Preparation

Before you dive into making these delightful Halloween Ghost Cupcakes, gather your tools and prepare your workspace to ensure a smooth baking experience.

Essential Tools and Equipment

Electric mixer
Piping bags
Wilton piping tips (#12 and #3)
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Mixing bowls

Importance of Each Tool

Electric mixer: It helps achieve the perfect meringue consistency quickly by incorporating air efficiently.
Piping bags: These are essential for creating beautiful designs, allowing you to easily pipe both the meringue ghosts and buttercream frosting with precision.
Baking sheet: A good surface for baking meringues ensures even cooking and easy removal once they cool.

Ingredients

Make cute purple ghost cupcakes with white meringue ghosts on top!

Ingredients:

For the Meringue Ghosts

2 large Egg Whites (Room Temperature)
1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
1/2 cup White Sugar

For the Buttercream Frosting

1 stick Unsalted Butter (softened)
2 cups Confectioner’s Sugar
2 tbsp Milk
Purple Gel Food Coloring

For Decoration

Black Decorating Frosting

How to Make Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Meringue

Pour egg whites into a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, start beating on low speed. Add cream of tartar, then slowly add sugar while gradually increasing the mixer speed to its highest setting. Continue mixing until the mixture turns bright white and forms semi-stiff peaks.

Step 3: Pipe the Meringues

Scoop the meringue mixture into a piping bag fitted with Wilton tip #12. Pipe mounds onto the lined baking sheet by creating a base about 1 inch in diameter and continuing to pipe upwards to about 2 inches high. Pull quickly on the icing bag at the top to create pointed tips.

Step 4: Bake Meringues

Bake for 2 hours. After time is up, turn off the heat on the oven and leave meringues inside for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 5: Make Buttercream Frosting

While meringues bake, prepare your buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, combine softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and milk. Use an electric mixer to beat together all ingredients until smooth. Add one small drop of purple gel food coloring, mixing until completely tinted purple.

Step 6: Frost Cupcakes

Scoop out buttercream frosting into another piping bag fitted with Wilton tip #12. Frost each cupcake generously with purple buttercream.

Step 7: Decorate with Meringue Ghosts

Remove baked meringue from oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Attach Wilton tip #3 on black decorating frosting to pipe eyes and mouth on each cooled meringue ghost. Place one ghost on each frosted cupcake; if there are any extras, serve them alongside!

Enjoy your spooky yet delightful Halloween Ghost Cupcakes!

How to Serve Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

These Halloween Ghost Cupcakes are not only adorable but also versatile. Here are some fun serving suggestions to make your spooky dessert display even more festive.

For a Themed Party

Spooky Table Setting: Arrange the cupcakes on a black or purple tablecloth, adding Halloween decorations like mini pumpkins and fake spiders for a haunted vibe.
Cupcake Stand: Use a multi-tiered cupcake stand to create height and showcase the ghostly treats prominently.

With Fun Toppers

Candy Eyes: Place candy eyes on top of the meringue ghosts for an extra playful touch that kids will love.
Edible Glitter: Sprinkle edible glitter over the buttercream frosting for a magical sparkle effect.

Pair with Beverages

Halloween Punch: Serve with a non-alcoholic punch made from fruit juices and soda to keep the festivities lively.
Spooky Milkshakes: Offer milkshakes tinted with food coloring as a fun contrast to the cupcakes.

How to Perfect Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

To ensure your Halloween Ghost Cupcakes turn out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips.

Use Room Temperature Egg Whites: This helps achieve better volume when whipping the meringue.
Monitor Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven is accurately preheated to avoid undercooked meringues.
Pipe with Precision: Practice piping techniques on parchment paper before moving to your meringue bases for more control.
Cool Meringues Completely: Allow meringues to cool fully before decorating them; this prevents melting or collapsing.

Best Side Dishes for Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

Complement your Halloween Ghost Cupcakes with some delightful side dishes that enhance the festive spirit.

Pumpkin Soup: A creamy, savory soup that warms up chilly Halloween nights and pairs well with sweet cupcakes.
Stuffed Bell Peppers: Hollowed-out peppers filled with rice and veggies can be carved like jack-o’-lanterns for added fun.
Vegetable Platter: Arrange colorful veggies in the shape of a spider web, served with ranch dip in the center.
Ghostly Fruit Salad: Create a fruit salad featuring ghost-shaped melon balls and add yogurt “ghosts” on top.
Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks: These savory breadsticks can be shaped into spooky figures, perfect for dipping into sauces.
Witch’s Brew Stew: A hearty vegetable stew cooked in vibrant green broth adds flavor and color to your Halloween table.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making Halloween Ghost Cupcakes, it’s easy to overlook key details that can impact your results. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Skipping the Room Temperature Eggs: Using cold egg whites can prevent proper whipping. Make sure your egg whites are at room temperature for the best volume.
Not Measuring Ingredients Accurately: Baking requires precision. Use measuring cups and spoons to ensure you have the right amounts of each ingredient.
Overmixing Buttercream: Mixing too long can lead to a runny consistency. Mix just until combined for a perfect frosting texture.
Underbaking Meringues: If you take meringues out too soon, they may collapse. Follow the baking time closely to achieve the right texture.
Ignoring Cooling Time: Allowing meringue ghosts to cool completely prevents melting on the cupcakes. Be patient—this step is crucial!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keep cupcakes separate from meringues to maintain crispness.

Freezing Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

Freeze meringue ghosts on a baking sheet before transferring them to a container for up to 1 month.
Cupcakes can also be frozen for up to 2 months; wrap them tightly.

Reheating Halloween Ghost Cupcakes

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm cupcakes for about 10 minutes.
Microwave: Heat individual cupcakes on low power for about 10-15 seconds.
Stovetop: Place a cupcake in a skillet over low heat with a lid for about 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re curious about Halloween Ghost Cupcakes, here are some common questions answered.

What is the focus keyphrase of this recipe?

The focus keyphrase is Halloween Ghost Cupcakes, which describes this fun and festive dessert perfect for celebrations.

Can I customize my Halloween Ghost Cupcakes?

Absolutely! You can change the food coloring or add different sprinkles for unique designs that fit your theme.

How do I store leftover cupcakes?

Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days to keep them fresh and delicious.

What can I use instead of egg whites?

For a vegan option, you can try aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) as a substitute. It whips similarly to egg whites!

How long do meringue ghosts last?

Meringue ghosts will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Final Thoughts

These Halloween Ghost Cupcakes are not only adorable but also versatile and perfect for any celebration. With options to customize colors and toppings, they’ll delight guests of all ages. Give this recipe a try and enjoy creating spooky treats that taste as good as they look!

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