Description
Delightful Pumpkin Walnut Spider Cupcakes perfect for Halloween celebrations. These moist pumpkin-infused cupcakes are studded with crunchy walnuts and topped with creamy, colorful frosting. Decorated with marshmallow spiders featuring walnut legs and chocolate details, they make an adorable and spooky treat for any party.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 stick butter (1/2 cup, room temperature)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup Diamond of California Shelled Walnuts (chopped)
Spider Decorations
- Large marshmallows (one for each cupcake)
- Diamond of California Shelled Walnuts (finely chopped for legs)
- 2-3 squares chocolate candiquik or almond bark
- 1 tbsp vegetable shortening (to melt chocolate candiquik)
- Candy eyeballs
Frosting
- 2 sticks butter (1 cup, room temperature)
- 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6-8 cups powdered sugar
- Orange gel food coloring
- Brown gel food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcake Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add pumpkin puree. Gradually blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully combined. Fold in chopped walnuts carefully to distribute evenly.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tray with paper liners and fill each about two-thirds full with batter. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow cupcakes to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together butter and vegetable shortening until creamy. Add vanilla extract. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Add orange gel food coloring and blend well for a vibrant orange hue.
- Frost the Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are cooled, generously frost each cupcake with the orange buttercream using a spatula or piping bag.
- Create the Spider Decorations: Melt the chocolate candiquik with vegetable shortening until smooth. Dip each large marshmallow in the melted chocolate to coat and let set slightly. Using the finely chopped walnuts, attach eight pieces to each marshmallow to resemble spider legs. Using a small dab of melted chocolate, fix candy eyeballs to the top of the marshmallow spiders.
- Assemble the Spider Cupcakes: Carefully place each marshmallow spider atop the frosted cupcakes. Use brown gel food coloring as needed for additional spider detailing. Allow the decorations to set before serving.
Notes
- These walnut spiders are whimsical and fun, making them perfect for Halloween parties without worrying about creepy crawlers!
- Be sure to let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning your frosting.
- If you prefer, substitute almond bark with white chocolate chips for coating the marshmallows.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 745 kcal
- Sugar: 79 g
- Sodium: 352 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 91 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg
