If you love delicious Halloween treats, you’re going to love these candy corn cupcakes! Easy to make and the whole family loves them.

Candy corn is so controversial during the holidays! You either love it or hate it – kind of like Peeps during Easter. People have very strong feelings about candy corn that they are not afraid to voice. And I totally get it.

If you like Halloween desserts, I’m very curious if you like candy corn as part of them! Either way, I’ve got a great recipe for you today: candy corn cupcakes!

These Halloween cupcakes are great because honestly – it doesn’t matter if you like candy corn or not. Because there is no candy corn in the recipe . . . only topped on the cupcakes if you so choose.

The reason they are called “candy corn cupcakes” is because of the colors of icing you’re going to use while making them: the typical orange, yellow, and white you would expect to see to represent the holiday.

The idea behind this recipe is very simple. You will make basic vanilla cupcakes, then you’re going to make a buttercream frosting. You will divide the frosting into three bowls, and color it using food coloring.

Then you’re going to add the icing to the tops of the cupcakes with piping bags and tips, and finally put some candy corn accents on top. I believe Emeril Lagasse said it best? Boom.

I think my favorite thing about these cupcakes is that they are cute but not complicated. Everyone is going to love them – there aren’t any fancy flavors that will upset your finicky eaters. A cupcake is a cupcake, and these are delicious! Get the awesome Halloween dessert recipe below.

For the Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup whole mil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Candy corn – 24 (about 2 per cupcake)

For the Vanilla Buttercream

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Yellow and orange food coloring

Candy corn cupcake with a bite out of it

Equipment Notes

I use this Wilton cupcake pan
I use these Wilton gel food colors
Here are some star tips; I used Wilton 2A
Don’t forget the piping bags
Grab a life changing wire rack

Get the printable recipe for these cupcakes below:

Candy Corn Cupcakes

Make candy corn themed cupcakes for Halloween using this simple recipe. Everyone is going to love this easy to make holiday dessert.

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 16

Total Time: 36

Servings: people

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup whole milk
2 eggs large
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

8 tablespoons butter 1 stick, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Yellow and orange food coloring

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and fill a large muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
In the mixer, whisk together vegetable oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla.
Gently add in the dry ingredients on low speed until just combined, meaning no pockets of dry ingredients remain in the cupcake batter.
Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake pans. Bake for 16 minutes. Remove the cupcakes to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, add the softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed about 1 minute.
Add the vanilla and mix to combine. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar. Turn the mixer to medium high speed and beat until the buttercream becomes light and fluffy – about 2 minutes.
Divide the frosting in thirds and place one third of the icing in a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
Place another third of the frosting in a small bowl and add 2 – 3 drops of bright yellow food coloring. Mix to combine and transfer the frosting to a piping bag.
Add 2 – 3 drops of bright orange food coloring to the last third of frosting and mix to combine. Transfer to a piping bag.
Pipe a small ring of yellow frosting around the top of each cupcake. Then top the yellow with a slightly smaller circle of orange. Finally, top each cupcake with a peak of white frosting to create a triangle shape.
Top each cupcake with a few candy corn if desired.