Easy Bat Cupcakes

These Easy Bat Cupcakes are the perfect spooky treat for Halloween. Moist chocolate cupcakes topped with rich chocolate frosting and decorated with Oreo wings and candy eyeballs—they’re not just cute, they’re seriously delicious. Whether it’s for a classroom party, Halloween gathering, or just a fun baking night, these cupcakes bring the spooky spirit to life in the sweetest way.

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I love how fun and festive these cupcakes turn out, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. Starting with a box cake mix keeps things simple, but the added ingredients take the flavor to bakery-level quality. The chocolate frosting is silky, rich, and holds its shape beautifully for decorating. What really seals the deal for me is the decoration—Oreos make the perfect little bat wings, and candy eyeballs add personality to every cupcake.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 box chocolate cake mix

• ½ cup salted butter, softened

• 3 large eggs

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 1 cup milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting

• 1 cup salted butter, softened

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• ½ cup hot water or heated heavy cream

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 4 ounces semi-sweet baking bar, melted and cooled

For the Decorations

• 1 package regular Oreos (I like having extras in case some break)

• 1 package mini Oreo cookies

• 20 pairs candy eyeballs

Directions

1. Make the Cupcakes
   I start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a large bowl, I mix the cake mix, softened butter, eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and combined. Then I pour the batter into the liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. I let them cool completely before frosting.

2. Prepare the Frosting
   In a large mixing bowl, I beat the softened butter until creamy. Then I add the cocoa powder and mix until combined. Slowly, I add the hot water (or heated cream), followed by the powdered sugar, and beat until light and fluffy. Finally, I stir in the melted baking chocolate until fully incorporated.

3. Decorate the Cupcakes
   I frost each cooled cupcake generously. For the bat wings, I twist regular Oreos apart and cut each half into two curved pieces. I gently press them into the frosting as wings. For the heads, I use a mini Oreo in the center. Then I finish by adding two candy eyeballs on top of the mini Oreo.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 20 cupcakes.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Cooling and decorating: 30 minutes
Total time: Around 1 hour and 10 minutes

Variations

• Flavor twist: I sometimes use a devil’s food cake mix for an even deeper chocolate flavor.

• Frosting options: Cream cheese frosting works great if I’m not in the mood for chocolate overload.

• Different cookies: If Oreos aren’t available, I use any round chocolate cookie for the wings.

• Eyes alternatives: I’ve even used white chocolate chips with a dot of black gel in place of candy eyeballs.

Storage/Reheating

I keep the decorated cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If I want them to last longer, I refrigerate them for up to 5 days. For the best taste, I let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. I don’t recommend reheating these since they’re best served at room temp.

FAQs

How far in advance can I make these bat cupcakes?

I usually bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them unfrosted. I decorate them the day I’m serving for the best look and texture.

Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes, I freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When I’m ready to serve, I thaw them at room temperature and then decorate.

What can I use instead of candy eyeballs?

If I’m out of candy eyeballs, I make eyes with mini white chocolate chips and use black gel or melted chocolate to dot the pupils.

Can I use a homemade cake batter instead?

Absolutely. I sometimes swap the boxed mix for my favorite homemade chocolate cupcake batter if I have time.

Will the Oreo wings stay in place?

Yes, the frosting holds the Oreo wings well if I press them in gently and make sure the cupcakes are cooled before decorating.

Conclusion

These Easy Bat Cupcakes are the kind of Halloween treat that gets everyone talking—and smiling. They’re simple to make, irresistibly cute, and absolutely delicious. I love how they turn an ordinary cupcake into a spooky-cute masterpiece. Perfect for parties, school events, or just getting into the Halloween spirit at home.

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