Graveyard Cupcakes
This post may contain affiliate links. See our full disclosure policy, here.
Looking for a creepy-cute Halloween treat that’s easy to make but still a total showstopper? These Graveyard Cupcakes are just the thing! Rich chocolate cupcakes are topped with homemade chocolate frosting, crushed Oreo “dirt,” and decorated with Milano cookie gravestones, gummy worms, and marshmallow ghost Peeps. They’re spooky enough for a Halloween party, but simple enough to make with the kids!
Whether you’re planning a haunted house bash or just want a treat to enjoy during a scary movie night, these cupcakes are festive, fun, and freakishly delicious.
Why You’ll Love These Graveyard Cupcakes
- Easy to make with a box mix + homemade frosting
- Fun and interactive to decorate
- Kid-approved and perfect for parties
- Spooky, silly, and totally delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 box Devils Food cupcake mix, plus water, oil, and eggs from the box directions
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp. milk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 16 Oreo cookies
- 12 Milano cookies
- Black writing icing
- Mini gummy worms
- Ghost peeps
Tools You’ll Need
- Cupcake pan and liners
- Hand or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Piping bag or spatula
- Rolling pin or food processor (for crushing Oreos)
Directions
1. Bake the Cupcakes
Prepare the cupcakes, according to the box directions, and allow them to cool completely.
2. Make the Chocolate Frosting
For the frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, until smooth. Add the vanilla and mix.
Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, a little at a time, mixing to combine, adding the milk a little at a time to thin out the frosting, as needed.
3. Frost the Cupcakes
Once the frosting is well combined, add to a piping bag with a 1M star tip.
Pipe a layer of frosting onto each cupcake.
4. Add the Dirt
For the Oreo crumbs, separate the Oreos and remove the creme filling. Add the cookie halves to a gallon storage bag.
Crush the cookies into crumbs, and sprinkle over top of the frosted cupcakes.
5. Decorate Your Graveyard
For the graveyard head stones, take the 12 Milano cookies, and use the black writing icing to write RIP, or other headstone sayings, onto the cookies.
Press these into the cupcakes.
Decorate the cupcakes with mini gummy worms, and peeps ghosts. You may need to use toothpicks inserted into the peeps to help support them on the cakes.
Tip: Let kids help with decorating—they’ll love placing the worms and ghosts!
Storage Tips
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- If storing in the fridge, let cupcakes come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Fun Variations
- Swap ghost Peeps for pumpkin marshmallows or candy bones.
- Use chocolate sprinkles for dirt if you don’t have Oreos.
- Pipe green buttercream “grass” around the gravestone with a grass tip for extra detail.
- Add edible eyeballs or skull sprinkles for an even creepier look!
These Graveyard Cupcakes are sure to be the talk of your Halloween dessert table! Whether you’re making them for a class party or just want something festive to enjoy at home, they’re a deliciously spooky way to celebrate the season. If you need more spooky Halloween fun, check out these recipes-
Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies
Graveyard Cupcakes
Graveyard Cupcakes are the perfect spooky treat for Halloween! Rich Devil's Food cupcakes are topped with creamy chocolte frosting, crushed Oreo "dirt," Milano cookie gravestones, gummy worms, and marshmallow ghost Peeps. Fun to decorate and delicious to eat, they're ideal for Halloween parties, class treats, or a festive night in.
Ingredients
- 1 box Devils Food cupcake mix, plus water, oil, and eggs from the box directions
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tbsp. milk
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 16 Oreo cookies
- 12 Milano cookies
- Black writing icing
- Mini gummy worms
- Ghost peeps
Instructions
- Prepare the cupcakes, according to the box directions, and allow them to cool completely.
- For the frosting, in a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, until smooth. Add the vanilla and mix.
- Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, a little at a time, mixing to combine, adding the milk a little at a time to thin out the frosting, as needed.
- Once the frosting is well combined, add to a piping bag with a 1M star tip.
- Pipe a layer of frosting onto each cupcake.
- For the Oreo crumbs, separate the Oreos and remove the creme filling. Add the cookie halves to a gallon storage bag.
- Crush the cookies into crumbs, and sprinkle over top of the frosted cupcakes.
- For the graveyard head stones, take the 12 Milano cookies, and use the black writing icing to write RIP, or other headstone sayings, onto the cookies.
- Press these into the cupcakes.
- Decorate the cupcakes with mini gummy worms, and peeps ghosts. You may need to use toothpicks inserted into the peeps to help support them on the cakes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 412
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
