Description
Delightfully spooky and chocolatey Ghost Cupcakes topped with a glossy Italian meringue to create adorable Halloween-themed treats. These moist chocolate cupcakes are perfect for festive celebrations, combining rich cocoa flavors with a sweet, fluffy ghostly topping and melted dark chocolate accents.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 150 g unsalted butter
- 150 g light brown sugar
- 125 g self-raising flour
- 25 g cocoa powder
- 3 medium eggs
Syrup
- 185 g granulated sugar
- 85 ml water
Meringue Topping
- 100 g egg whites
Decoration
- Melted dark chocolate
Instructions
- Prepare the Cupcake Batter: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Cream together the unsalted butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Sift in the self-raising flour and cocoa powder, gently folding the mixture until well combined and smooth.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake cases and evenly divide the batter between them. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Heat gently and stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil without stirring until the syrup reaches soft ball stage (approximately 115°C or 240°F). Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Italian Meringue: While the syrup is cooking, whisk the egg whites in a clean, grease-free bowl until soft peaks form. Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the whisked egg whites in a thin stream, while continuing to whisk at high speed. Continue whisking until the meringue is glossy, stiff, and cooled to room temperature.
- Decorate the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe or spoon the Italian meringue onto each cupcake to form ghostly shapes. Use melted dark chocolate to add eyes and mouth details to the meringue ghosts.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the dark chocolate decoration to set slightly before serving these adorable and delicious ghost cupcakes at your Halloween party.
Notes
- Ensure the cupcakes are completely cool before decorating to prevent the meringue from melting.
- The sugar syrup must be at the correct temperature to achieve stable Italian meringue.
- Use a piping bag with a round tip for neat ghost shapes, or simply dollop the meringue with a spoon for a rustic look.
- Experiment with food coloring to make colorful ghosts if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 38 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 77 mg
