Red Velvet Brain Cupcakes for Halloween

Red Velvet Brain Cupcakes

Halloween is a great time for gross looking foods. But that doesn’t mean they need to taste gross, too! These red velvet brain cupcakes are anything but gross. While the cream cheese frosting may look like a bloody brain, it is actually the perfect pairing for the tender and slightly chocolatey red velvet cake. The colors work great for a fun Halloween treat.

You will need ...

For the red velvet

Unsalted Butter, softened, 8 oz
Granulated Sugar, 1 1/3 Cup
Eggs, 4
Vegetable Oil, 1/2 Cup
White Vinegar, 1 tsp
Cake Flour, 2 Cups
Dark Cocoa Powder, 1/2 Cup
Baking Soda, 1 tsp
Salt, 1/2 tsp
Buttermilk, 1 1/4 Cup
Vanilla Extract, 2 tsp
Red Food Coloring, 2 tsp

For the cream cheese Frosting

Unsalted Butter, softened, 1/2 Cup
Cream Cheese, softened, 8oz
Powdered Sugar, 3-4 Cups

Step One

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment to cream the butter and the sugar together. Once it is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes), add in the eggs. Mix until smooth. Add in the vanilla extract, then the vinegar.

Then, add in the food coloring. Adding it in now give it a chance to completely incorporate without overworking the cake batter.

Step Two

After the coloring is incorporated, add in the dark cocoa powder. This helps to give it that deep rich bloody color. Then add in the oil and mix to combine.

Then, add in the baking soda and salt. Next, add in half of the flour and mix. Before it is combined, add in half the buttermilk. Repeat with the remaining half of the flour and the buttermilk. Mix just until combined.

Step Three

Next, portion out the cake batter into cupcake pans with liners. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Once done, remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Step Four

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter and the soft cream cheese. Add in the powdered sugar one to two cups at a time. Once all are combined, mix the frosting on medium high for 2-3 minutes. The frosting will become light and fluffy and will lighten in color.

NOTE: This works best if the frosting is stiff enough to hold its shape so you can see the pattern. If your frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar to stiffen.

Step Five

Next, take a piping bag or a zip top bag and a chopstick (or use the end of a knife). Make streaks or spots of red food coloring along the inside of the bag. Then, spoon in the frosting and cut a small bit off the end. Be sure to cut straight across and not at an angle.

Step Six

Holding the bag vertical so that the open tip is facing the top of the cupcake, begin piping out the brain pattern. Once down the middle, then around in a squiggle on one side. The pattern does not matter, just be sure not to leave any open spots.

Then, begin piping again on the other side and repeat the same pattern. And now you’ve created a yummy brain! Enjoy!

The Mom Touch