Name: Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups buttercream frosting (half dyed green, half dyed brown); 1 batch royal icing (divide into three parts: one kept white, one dyed black, one dyed red); 12 cupcakes; 18 mini chocolate-covered doughnuts (2 per Frankenstein, 1 per Bride); 6 wafer ice cream cones; Chocolate sprinkles (for Frankenstein’s hair and Bride’s hair); Finely shredded coconut (for Bride’s hair highlights); Black licorice (Twizzlers, used for neck knobs on Frankenstein); 24 brown M&M’s (for eyes on both Frankenstein and Bride)

If you’re looking for a spooky yet adorable treat that’s sure to wow your guests, you’ve got to try my Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe. It’s a fun twist on classic cupcakes that brings these iconic Halloween monsters to life with doughnuts, licorice, and colorful royal icing. Trust me, once you make these, Halloween will never be the same in your kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Unique Presentation: These cupcakes double as edible mini sculptures—fun to make and amazing to look at.
Easy Assembly: Surprising how simple it is to transform cupcakes with just a few extra ingredients.
Kid-Friendly Decorating: Perfect for a festive activity where kids can join in on the fun.
Showstopper for Parties: Your friends and family will be talking about these cupcakes long after the party ends.

Two cupcakes with purple wrappers sit on a white plate filled with orange candy. The cupcake on the left is stacked taller with a cone-shaped top covered in dark brown chocolate sprinkles, with a patch of white coconut flakes. Its lower half is covered in smooth green frosting with two round brown candies as eyes and a small red smile below. The cupcake on the right is shorter and wider, with a flat top also covered in chocolate sprinkles and vertical black lines of chocolate on the front top edge. It has green frosting all around, two brown candies for eyes, a black smile, and red lines on one side resembling stitches. Two black licorice sticks are placed on each side as bolts. The background is a dark purple wood texture, and the surface is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of the Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe really comes together thanks to a mix of classic bakery essentials and a few fun additions that take these treats over the top. Think green and brown buttercream, doughnuts, and royal icing to bring these characters’ personalities alive. I always recommend grabbing quality mini doughnuts and fresh buttercream for the best results.

Buttercream frosting: Half dyed green for Frankenstein, half dyed brown for the Bride to get their signature looks.
Cupcakes: Your favorite flavor, baked and cooled—vanilla works beautifully here.
Mini chocolate-covered doughnuts: Entenmann’s are my go-to—they have just the right texture and size.
Chocolate sprinkles and shredded coconut: For the hair details and texture, these little touches make a big impact.
Black licorice: Twizzlers work well for the neck bolts on Frankenstein’s sides.
Royal icing: Divided into white, black, and red for piping expressions, scars, and hair details.
Brown M&M’s: Use these for the eyes—they add just the right pop of color and shape.
Wafer ice cream cones: Essential for the Bride’s unique hair cone look.

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

I love how this recipe gives you room to play! Whether you want to make it gluten-free or just switch up the flavors, you can easily adapt this Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe to your preferences. Plus, decorating variation is half the fun.

Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular cupcakes for gluten-free ones; just make sure your doughnuts and sprinkles are GF-friendly as well.
Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Use chocolate buttercream and chocolate cupcakes instead of vanilla for an extra decadent treat.
Mini Cupcakes: Make bite-sized versions if you’re hosting a large party or want easy grab-and-go bites.
Color Variations: Try coloring the buttercream in different shades of green or brown for a creative spin.

How to Make Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cupcakes and Doughnuts

Start by baking and cooling your cupcakes completely. I like to bake mine the day before so they’re nice and firm. Then set your mini doughnuts and frostings on the counter—having everything ready makes the decorating step so much smoother! For Frankenstein, you’ll need two doughnuts per cupcake; for the Bride, just one.

Step 2: Assemble Frankenstein

Spread a thin layer of green buttercream all over the cupcake. Top it with one chocolate doughnut, then add a dab of green frosting to stick a second doughnut right on top—this gives Frankenstein his iconic stacked head look. Don’t forget to cover the doughnuts entirely with more green buttercream to smooth out the edges. Sprinkle the top with chocolate sprinkles to mimic his messy hair—it’s one of my favorite finishing touches!

Use two pieces of black licorice on either side of the cupcake to create the neck bolts—stick them into the sides just enough so they hold firm. Then get your royal icing ready: using black and red, carefully pipe on Frankenstein’s mouth, his scar, and the signature forehead bangs. Make two large dots with white royal icing for eyes and press in two brown M&M’s for that pop of personality.

Step 3: Create the Bride

The Bride’s cupcake starts with covering the wafer ice cream cones in brown buttercream. I immediately coat them in chocolate sprinkles so the frosting doesn’t harden and everything sticks perfectly. For her signature white streaks in the hair, I pipe white royal icing streaks and sprinkle shredded coconut right on top—that combo is what really makes her hair stand out!

Like Frankenstein, spread green buttercream over the cupcake, then top with a single chocolate doughnut and cover it all with more green buttercream. Place the decorated cone carefully on top of the doughnut to form the Bride’s towering hairdo. Use red royal icing to pipe on her mouth, then add two white royal frosting dots for eyes and gently press in two brown M&M’s. Honestly, the little details make this cupcake come alive.

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Pro Tips for Making Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe

Warm Your Frosting Slightly: If your buttercream feels stiff, warming it a bit helps with smoother spreading and better adhesion for doughnuts.
Use a Small Piping Tip: For the delicate scar and hair details, a fine tip gives you control and precise lines.
Chill Before Decorating: Let the assembled cupcakes chill briefly in the fridge to help the buttercream set, making the decorating easier.
Secure Licorice Bolts Properly: Insert the licorice at a slight angle and gently press—avoid pushing too deep or they might break or slide out.

How to Serve Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe

The image shows two Halloween-themed cupcakes against a white marbled surface. The cupcake on the left has a purple base with green frosting covering the top third. It features two round chocolate candies for eyes and a small red curved line for a mouth. Above the green frosting is a tall, cone-shaped layer covered in thick dark brown chocolate sprinkles with a patch of white sprinkles resembling a scar. The cupcake on the right also has a purple base topped with green frosting forming a rounded shape. It has two round chocolate candies for eyes, a black curved line for a smile, and a red stitch detail on one side. The top has short black lines made with icing, with more dark brown chocolate sprinkles along the edge. On the sides, two black licorice sticks serve as bolts. Both cupcakes sit on a white round plate filled with bright orange jelly beans, and the photo is taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually go simple with garnishes—extra chocolate sprinkles and a light dusting of shredded coconut around the base of each cupcake makes the presentation pop. Sometimes I add a few mini candy eyeballs for fun if I want to make the eyes even spookier. It’s those little touches that result in a cupcake that looks too good to eat (almost!).

Side Dishes

These cupcakes welcome simple sides like fresh fruit or even some savory popcorn to balance out the sweetness. If it’s a Halloween party, I like serving them alongside caramel apples or pumpkin-shaped cookies for a themed dessert table that really wows.

Creative Ways to Present

For Halloween gatherings, I’ve arranged these cupcakes on a platter scattered with faux spider webs and mini plastic spiders. Another time, I presented them on a vintage cake stand surrounded by moss and pumpkin candles—it really enhanced the spooky vibe. You could also serve them alongside small, spooky note cards with classic Frankenstein quotes for a fun touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep these decorated cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge—when covered well, they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. Just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving so that the frosting softens back up and tastes just as delicious.

Freezing

If you want to freeze the cupcakes, it’s best to freeze them before decorating. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them overnight in the fridge and decorate fresh for the best look and texture.

Reheating

These cupcakes are best served at room temperature, so I usually just take them out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving. If you want to soften them a bit more, a few seconds in the microwave (10-15 seconds) does the trick—just be careful not to melt the frosting!

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cupcakes and doughnuts for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using store-bought cupcakes and mini doughnuts like Entenmann’s works perfectly and saves time. Just make sure the cupcakes are sturdy enough to hold the toppings without crumbling.
How do I make royal icing at home?

Royal icing is a simple mix of powdered sugar, meringue powder (or egg whites), and water. Whip them together until you get stiff peaks. It’s perfect for detailed piping like the eyes, scars, and mouths on these cupcakes.
What’s the best way to color buttercream?

I prefer gel or paste food coloring because they pack a vibrant color without thinning out the frosting. Add a little at a time until you reach the perfect shade of green or brown.
Can I make these cupcakes ahead for a party?

Yes! You can bake the cupcakes and prepare the frostings a day ahead. Assemble and decorate the day of your party for the freshest look and taste.
What are some alternatives to licorice for the neck bolts?

If licorice isn’t your thing, pretzel sticks or small candy sticks can work as spooky neck bolts too. Just make sure they’re not too heavy or the cupcake won’t balance well.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Frankenstein and His Bride Cupcakes Recipe brings a little kitchen magic to Halloween celebrations. Every time I make these, I feel like a kid again, delighting in frosting and fun shapes. When you try it, you’ll find these cupcakes aren’t just desserts—they’re conversation starters and memory makers. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) them as much as my family and I do.