Beetlejuice Cupcakes

These Beetlejuice-inspired cupcakes are a perfect way to start the season and just in time for the new movie! With a lime green, moist cupcake base and a rich dark chocolate frosting, they’re fun to look at and delicious to eat. Wanna mix it up a bit? Add a little licorice extract to the frosting. It adds a unique twist, but even without it, the black cocoa chocolate flavor stands out. To really give them that Beetlejuice theme, I topped with Witch’s Brew KitKats, black licorice, and Halloween sprinkles. With these festive cupcakes, you’ll capture the quirky spirit of Beetlejuice just in time to celebrate the new movie’s release.

Beetlejuice Cupcakes

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

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• 1 box of Betty Crocker’s white cake mix
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• Lime green food coloring
• 2 sticks of salted butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup black or dark cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2–1 tsp licorice flavoring (optional)
• 4–6 tbsp heavy cream

For decoration

• Witch’s Brew KitKats
• Licorice
• Halloween Decorative Sprinkles

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Instructions

*For a deeper color, prep the frosting a day ahead of time

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and fill a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and eggs. Once combined, stir in the food coloring until you don’t see any streaks.
3. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the mix evenly among the liners. It will make 21-24 cupcakes. Bake according to the package instructions and let them cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, beat the butter until smooth. Add in half of the powdered sugar and mix. Add in the rest of the sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, licorice extract (if using) and heavy cream and mix until completely combined.
5. Using a piping bag fitted with a 1M tip, pipe a swirl of frosting on each cupcake. Top with Halloween sprinkles, a half of a green Kit Kat, and 1 piece of licorice. Enjoy!

These Beetlejuice-inspired cupcakes are the perfect spooky treat this season, especially since the new movie came out! The base of the cupcake is a bright lime green, just like Beetlejuice’s hair, and they’re topped with a rich dark chocolate swirl of buttercream. For a little extra candy flavor, you can add some licorice extract if desired! The cupcakes are moist and light, and the chocolate has such a rich flavor that kids and adults will flip over them. Plus, the Halloween-themed decorations like Witch’s Brew KitKats, black licorice, and candy eyeball sprinkles bring the creepy, kooky, Bettlejuice vibes.

As mentioned, the licorice-flavored frosting is an optional addition but gives these cupcakes an extra eerie element. A little something extra for Halloween. If you choose not to use licorice flavoring, the frosting is a deep, rich dark chocolate buttercream that blends perfectly with the vanilla cupcakes. However, if you’re a fan of licorice, just a teaspoon or so of licorice extract adds an unexpected twist. The result is a truly unique taste experience that will surprise your guests and pairs pretty nicely with the strange, otherworldly essence of Beetlejuice himself.

To achieve the perfect frosting consistency, make sure the butter is room temperature before you begin. This will help create a smooth, creamy base that blends well with the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. For those looking to intensify the colors, prepping the frosting a day ahead can deepen the “black” hue, giving it a more dramatic effect. 

Decoration is where these cupcakes really come to life. A simple swirl of frosting is taken to the next level with a half of a Witch’s Brew green KitKat, some candy eyes, and a piece of black licorice. These toppings not only add fun Halloween touch, but also create a delicious combination of textures and flavors. The crunch of the KitKat, the soft frosting, and the chewy licorice offer a great variety in each bite. Did you know those Witch’s Brew Kit Kat’s are marshmallow flavored? I had no idea, but they’re delicious. And of course, I had to add some sprinkles. These were from Michaels and super cute in person.

These cupcakes are great for a Halloween party OR watch the original Beetlejuice before you see the new one in the theater. You can also get the whole family involved. They’re easy to make, especially with the use of cake mix as the base, and fun to decorate. The recipe makes about 21-24 cupcakes, so there’s plenty to share with family and friends—or keep for yourself.

Mostly everything can be found on Amazon, at Walmart, or Michaels. So get ready to channel your inner Beetlejuice and bring some spooky fun into your kitchen this Halloween season.