How to Make Fun & Easy Halloween Cupcakes with Kids

Cupcakes with a Halloween theme are fun and easy to make and are perfect as party refreshments or to enjoy at home. Gather the kids around and start an annual cupcake baking and decorating tradition this year!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• muffin pan(s)
• cupcake liners
• oven
• mixer and bowl
• white cake mix & other ingredients listed on box
• food coloring
• toothpick
• wire rack
• white canned frosting
• small bowls or cups
• spoons or butter knives
• decorations such as candy sprinkles, M&Ms, candy corn, gummy worms, mini marshmallows, etc.

1. First Steps First
   
   Add cupcake liners to the muffin pan(s) and turn on the oven to the temperature recommended on the cake mix package. Assign liner placement to the youngest child.

2. Mix Cupcake Batter
   
   Following cake mix package directions, mix the batter. Stir in orange food coloring, if available, or mix in red and yellow a drop or two at a time until the batter is the desired shade of orange. Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with batter. DO NOT overfill the liners! Allow the kids to participate as much as possible during each step of the process.

3. Bake Cupcakes
   
   Place cupcakes in preheated oven and bake, as directed. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake - if it comes out clean, they're done. Remove from oven. Immediately remove cupcakes from pan and cool right side up on a wire rack.

4. Prepare Icing
   
   While the cupcakes are cooling, separate the icing into cups or small bowls. One drop at a time, mix in food coloring to achieve the colors desired. Be brave! Be creative! Even be gross - after all, this IS Halloween! And it's also another fun opportunity for kidlet involvement!

5. 
    
   Can't have too much sprinkles!

   Have Some Fun!
   
   Let the kids use butter knives or spoons to frost each cupcake and then decorate with candy. Use M&Ms or candy corn to make jack-o-lantern faces. Poke a hole or two for gummy worms to crawl out. Use miniature marshmallows to make ghosts. Get a little crazy with sprinkles. Or just use a scary variety of colored icing!

6. Let Set
   
   To secure the decorations in place, leave the cupcakes uncovered and undisturbed for a few hours to let the frosting set. After the icing dries, cupcakes can be lightly covered with plastic wrap to keep fresh at home or take to a party!

Tips & Warnings

• For easy transport, carefully return decorated cupcakes to the muffin pan(s) and cover lightly with plastic wrap.
• This just may be so much fun that you'll want to do it again tomorrow!