Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
- Orange gel food coloring
- Yellow gel food coloring
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Orange and yellow sanding sugar for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, mixing just until combined.
- Divide batter into three bowls, keeping one white.
- Color one bowl orange and one bowl yellow with gel coloring.
- Layer batters in cupcake liners: orange, yellow, then white.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until tops spring back when touched.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream.
- Pipe frosting in candy corn colors: white, yellow, orange from bottom to top.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning batter
- Layer gently to maintain color separation
- Room temperature ingredients ensure smooth mixing
- Cream cheese frosting requires refrigeration
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Halloween Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 195 mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg