Name: Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 15.5 ounces Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix; 3.4 ounces Box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix; 3/4 cup Sour Cream; 3/4 cup Vegetable oil; 3 Eggs; 7 ounces Marshmallow Fluff; 2 tablespoons Butter (melted); Green Food Coloring (as needed); 16 ounces Chocolate Frosting; 2 cups Oreo cookies (crushed); 2 cups Green Candy Melts (melted); 20 Marshmallow Ghosts

If you’re looking for a show-stopping treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try this Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe. I absolutely love how these cupcakes come together with that rich chocolatey base, a surprise gooey marshmallow cream in the center, and the cutest little ghost toppers you can imagine. Trust me, this is one Halloween dessert that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe — and it’s easier than you think!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fun and Festive: These cupcakes transform classic chocolate into adorable Halloween-friendly treats that wow every time.
Surprise Filling: The green marshmallow cream inside makes every bite delightfully unexpected and super gooey.
Easy to Make: Using mostly pantry staples and simple techniques, you’ll whip these up without stress.
Perfect for Parties: These cupcakes are guaranteed crowd-pleasers with their fun look and delicious flavor combination.

The image shows several chocolate cupcakes with a crumbly, textured top layer that looks dark brown and slightly rough. Each cupcake is in a black paper liner. On top of each cupcake stands a white ghost-shaped decoration with a smooth surface, featuring small black eyes and a mouth made of icing. The base of the ghost decoration is dipped in bright green icing that looks glossy and slightly thick, sitting right on top of the cupcake. The cupcakes are placed on a dark metal cooling rack, set against a white marbled background. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

We’re using some classic baking staples here, but what makes this Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe special is mixing in pudding for that moist texture and marshmallow fluff for the creamy surprise center. Here are all the goodies that come together:

Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix: Your base for easy, reliable chocolate cupcakes — I like the one with pudding included for extra moistness.
Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: This boosts the flavor and keeps the cupcakes rich and tender.
Sour Cream: Adds tang and moisture which really makes the cupcakes soft and fluffy.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps everything tender and moist without a heavy texture.
Eggs: The binder for all the ingredients, making your cupcakes rise perfectly.
Marshmallow Fluff: The secret to that gooey, ghostly center — it melts into luscious creamy filling.
Butter (melted): Helps the marshmallow fluff take on a silky texture and makes the green filling spreadable.
Green Food Coloring: For spooky ghost goo that’s perfect for Halloween thrills.
Chocolate Frosting: The rich topping that helps the crushed cookies stick and adds an extra layer of chocolate happiness.
Oreo Cookies (crushed): These give a crumbly “dirt” look once dipped, making your cupcakes look spectacular.
Green Candy Melts (melted): To give the marshmallow ghosts a fun partial coating that ties the look together.
Marshmallow Ghosts: The cutest topping ever — these little guys really make your cupcakes festive and fun.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe is how adaptable it is to your tastes or what you have on hand. Feel free to get creative — Halloween baking should be fun, not stressful!

Spice It Up: I sometimes add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the batter for a subtle fall twist that my family adores.
Diet-Friendly: You can swap vegetable oil for applesauce and use dairy-free pudding and frosting to make it vegan-friendly; just expect slight texture differences.
Ghost Toppers Swap: If you can’t find marshmallow ghosts, mini marshmallows decorated with black icing eyes work perfectly too.
Different Fillings: Try swapping the green marshmallow cream for a cream cheese filling tinted with food coloring—gives a tangy surprise!

How to Make Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Mix Up the Moist Chocolate Cupcake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F — getting the oven ready early is key. In a large bowl, combine the boxed chocolate cake mix, instant pudding mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, and eggs. I like to use a handheld mixer here so everything blends smoothly and no lumps remain. The batter should be thick but pourable; this combo is what makes these cupcakes so moist and flavorful compared to a standard box mix.

Step 2: Bake the Cupcakes to Perfection

Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and fill each about two-thirds full with batter. This gives room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing. I usually get exactly 20 cupcakes out of this batch. Bake for 20-25 minutes — check with a toothpick inserted in the center; when it comes out clean (or mostly clean), they’re done. Let them cool completely before the next step — patience here will make your life easier!

Step 3: Create the Spooky Green Ghost Goo Filling

While the cupcakes cool, melt your butter and mix it with the marshmallow fluff. This mashup is what I call the ghost goo! Add green food coloring a few drops at a time until you get the glowing color you want. This filling is what makes these cupcakes unforgettable — that sweet, marshmallowy center with a pop of fun color. Make sure the mixture is smooth and spreadable.

Step 4: Hollow Out and Fill Each Cupcake

Cut a small hole into the center of each cupcake — be careful not to cut all the way through. I discovered it works great to save the core you remove, slice off the rounded bottom part, then replace the flatter top back onto the filled cupcake as a “cap.” Fill the hole with your green ghost goo, then pop that little cap back on. This step always feels a little magical, like giving your cupcakes an edible surprise inside.

Step 5: Frost, Dip, and Decorate Your Ghostly Treats

Slather the cupcakes with chocolate frosting as if you’re preparing them for a party. Then turn each cupcake upside down and dip it into crushed Oreos, creating a spooky “graveyard dirt” effect on the base. Melt your green candy melts and dip the marshmallow ghosts about halfway before pressing one gently on top of each cupcake. I love how the candy melts give a little shimmer and extra color. Plus, the marshmallow ghosts are the perfect finishing touch that’ll get everyone smiling.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe

Don’t Overmix Your Batter: I learned that overmixing can make cupcakes tough; mix just until ingredients combine for that perfect tender crumb.
Cool Cupcakes Completely: Filling and frosting warm cupcakes melted all my cream once — letting them cool prevents a gooey mess.
Use a Small Knife for Hollowing: Carefully cutting just a small hole keeps the cupcake stable and avoids crumbs breaking off.
Dip Ghosts Quickly: If your candy melts harden too fast, reheat in short bursts to keep them perfect for dipping.

How to Serve Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe

The image shows a chocolate cupcake with three layers: the bottom layer is dark brown, soft, and crumbly chocolate cake. Inside the cake, there is a bright green, melted filling that is dripping out. On top, there is a thick layer of green frosting with a smooth, creamy texture. Finally, a white ghost-shaped cookie with small brown eyes and mouth stands on the frosting. The cupcakes are placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like keeping it simple here — the marshmallow ghosts are sweet and nostalgic all on their own. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of edible glitter on the frosting for a little sparkle, or a few black and orange sprinkles around the base for more Halloween flair. It’s amazing how small touches make these cupcakes party-ready with zero fuss.

Side Dishes

Pair these cupcakes with a punchy autumn punch or hot apple cider for a complete festive spread. If you’re serving at a kids’ party, I like alongside simple snacks like popcorn balls or candy corn to keep everything themed without overloading on sugar.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween gatherings, I’ve arranged these cupcakes on a dark platter sprinkled with a little crushed Oreo “dirt.” Adding plastic skeleton hands or faux spider rings around the tray amps up the spooky vibe. I’ve even “haunted” a cupcake stand by draping cheesecloth and fake cobwebs — it’s always a fun conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, these cupcakes keep best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I learned the hard way that without proper sealing, the frosting can dry out. Bringing them to room temperature before eating really brings back that creamy center’s gooey magic.

Freezing

I’ve frozen undecorated cupcakes by wrapping each one tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and fill/frost as usual. It’s a great time saver if you want to prep your Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe in advance but wait to decorate.

Reheating

Since these are frosted, I avoid reheating the decorated cupcakes, but if you want to warm a plain cupcake, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave makes the marshmallow center slightly melty and heavenly. Just be cautious not to overdo it.

FAQs

Can I make the Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can swap the boxed chocolate cake mix for a gluten-free version, and just double-check your pudding mix and frosting are gluten-free as well. This way, you keep the same delicious flavor and texture without the gluten.
What can I use instead of marshmallow ghosts for topping?

If marshmallow ghosts aren’t available, mini marshmallows decorated with edible markers or piped chocolate faces work perfectly. You can also use ghost-shaped cookie cutters on fondant or sugar paste for a more customized look.
How do I prevent cupcakes from drying out?

Filling the cupcakes with the creamy marshmallow mixture and frosting them well helps retain moisture. Also, store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge if it’s warm. Avoid overbaking by testing the cupcakes early with a toothpick.
Can I make this recipe in advance for a party?

You can absolutely make the cupcakes a day or two ahead; just wait to fill and frost them as close to serving time as possible to keep everything fresh and the marshmallow filling gooey and vibrant.

Final Thoughts

I hope you give this Easy Halloween Ghost Cupcakes Recipe a try — it’s one of those festive treats that’s just pure joy to bake and share. My family goes crazy for how cute and yummy these are, and there’s something so satisfying about slicing into a cupcake and discovering that ooey-gooey green marshmallow filling inside. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a Halloween party, or just craving a fun seasonal treat, these cupcakes hit all the right notes. Happy baking and have a spook-tacular Halloween!