As the air turns crisp and autumn leaves begin to fall, anticipation for Halloween grows! It’s a season of enchanting costumes, thrilling decorations, and, of course, delightful treats. Among the myriad of spooky sweets, these adorable and hauntingly delicious Ghost Cupcakes with Marshmallow stand out as an absolute favorite. Imagine a rich, moist chocolate cupcake, crowned with a fluffy, chocolate-stuffed marshmallow ghost, all cloaked in a smooth, gleaming white candy coating. Simple to create yet incredibly impressive, they are the perfect confection to bring a smile to every face at your next Halloween gathering.

Whether you’re planning a fun classroom party, a festive work function, or an epic Halloween bash with friends and family, these ghost cupcakes are guaranteed to be the star of the dessert table. They never fail to light up little faces with pure joy and bring a delightful gasp of “How cute!” from adults. Prepare for compliments and requests for the recipe – they’re just that good and surprisingly simple!

Why These Spooky Treats Are a Must-Make

You might be wondering what makes these particular ghost cupcakes a cut above the rest, and the answer lies in their perfect blend of ease, visual appeal, and scrumptious taste. Here’s why this recipe will become your go-to Halloween tradition:

• Effortlessly Impressive: They boast a grand, festive look that belies their simple preparation. You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to create these stunning Halloween desserts; the magic happens with just a few clever steps.
• Baking Flexibility: While a homemade cupcake base is always a wonderful option for those with extra time and a love for scratch baking, this recipe shines by embracing convenience. High-quality cake mixes are your best friend here, delivering consistently delicious results without the fuss. It’s about enjoying the process, not stressing over every ingredient.
• Fun for the Whole Family: Get the kids involved! Decorating these ghost cupcakes is a fantastic activity that even the youngest bakers can enjoy. From placing the marshmallow ghosts to adding the candy eyes, it’s a creative and memorable way to spend time together, fostering a love for baking and Halloween.
• Perfect for Gifting: Looking for a unique and personal Halloween gift? Package a few of these adorable ghost cupcakes in small treat boxes, and you’ll have a charming, edible present that will delight anyone. They’re a thoughtful alternative to traditional candy.
• The Unexpected Chocolate Core: The real secret ingredient? Chocolate-stuffed marshmallows! This unexpected twist elevates the flavor and provides a delightful molten chocolate surprise with every bite, making these ghosts truly irresistible.

Gathering Your Ghoulish Ingredients

Creating these charming ghost cupcakes doesn’t require a trip to a specialty store. Most ingredients are readily available at your local supermarket. Here’s what you’ll need for your hauntingly good batch of treats:

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. While specific quantities are detailed in the full recipe card below, here’s a general overview of the essentials:

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: A 15-ounce box is perfect. Red velvet not only adds a rich, deep flavor but also provides a striking color contrast against the white ghost, making for an even more dramatic presentation. Feel free to substitute with chocolate, vanilla, or even pumpkin spice cake mix if you prefer.
• Standard Cake Mix Add-ins: You’ll need vegetable oil, water, and large eggs as per your cake mix package instructions. These are crucial for a moist and tender cupcake.
• Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows: Two 8.6-ounce packs are ideal. These are the heart of your ghost! The chocolate filling is a delightful surprise, adding an extra layer of decadence. If you can’t find pre-stuffed marshmallows, large regular marshmallows with a small piece of chocolate inserted into the center will work just fine.
• White Candy Melting Wafers: Approximately 12 ounces will give you enough coating. These are superior to regular white chocolate for melting and setting smoothly, creating that perfect ghostly drape. A good quality brand will ensure easy melting and a beautiful finish.
• Candy Eyes: One pack of various sized candy eyes. These are essential for bringing your ghosts to life! You can find them in the baking aisle or specialty craft stores.

Remember to check the full recipe card at the bottom of this post for precise measurements and any additional optional items.

Recipe Walkthrough: Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating these captivating ghost cupcakes is a straightforward process that’s as fun as it is rewarding. This overview provides the essential steps, but for detailed instructions, please refer to the complete recipe card below.

1. Prepare Your Cupcakes: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. For a dramatic contrast, dark-colored liners (like black or dark purple) work wonderfully. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with the specified amounts of vegetable oil, water, and eggs. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds to three-quarters full.
2. Bake and Cool: Bake the cupcakes according to the package instructions, typically for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial; your cupcakes must be entirely cool before the next steps to prevent the marshmallows and candy coating from melting.
3. Marshmallow Placement: Carefully place one chocolate-stuffed marshmallow on top of each cooled cupcake. Position it centrally so it stands upright, ready to become your ghostly figure. If you find the marshmallow is unstable, a small dollop of frosting or a toothpick inserted through the marshmallow into the cupcake can help secure it.
4. Melt the Candy Coating: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white candy wafers. Heat them on 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring well after each interval, until the wafers are completely melted and smooth. Be patient and avoid overheating to prevent scorching. If the coating seems too thick, add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening and stir until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency.
5. Drape Your Ghosts: Using a spoon, gently pour the melted candy coating over the top of each marshmallow. Start from the top and let the coating slowly drip down the sides, creating that iconic ghostly drape effect. Ensure the marshmallow is fully covered and the coating extends slightly onto the cupcake liner, forming a secure base.
6. Add the Eyes: This is where your ghosts come to life! While the candy coating is still wet and pliable, carefully place two candy eyes onto each marshmallow ghost. The warm coating will act as an adhesive, securing the eyes in place as it sets. Work quickly, as candy melts can set quite fast!

Hint: Don’t feel confined to red velvet! While it offers a fantastic visual, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Use your favorite homemade cupcake recipe, or any other flavor of store-bought mix you adore—chocolate, vanilla, or even pumpkin spice would be equally delightful as the base for your spooky specters.

Creative Haunting Variations & Substitute Ideas

The joy of baking lies in creativity! While the classic ghost cupcake recipe is wonderful on its own, here are several ideas to customize your spooky treats and make them uniquely yours:

• Chocolate Cupcakes: For a true chocolate lover’s delight, swap out the red velvet cake mix for a rich chocolate variety. The dark chocolate base underneath the white ghost creates a wonderfully dramatic and delicious contrast.
• Homemade Frosting Layer: Add an extra layer of flavor and texture by spreading a thin layer of your favorite homemade frosting (like buttercream or cream cheese frosting) on top of the cooled cupcake before placing the marshmallow. This can also help the marshmallow adhere better.
• Mini Chocolate Chip Eyes: If candy eyes are hard to find or you simply prefer another look, mini chocolate chips can be pressed into the wet candy coating to create charming, albeit slightly less spooky, eyes for your ghosts.
• Melted White Chocolate: Instead of candy melts, you can use high-quality melted white chocolate for the coating. Be aware that white chocolate can be a bit trickier to melt smoothly and may require a touch of coconut oil or shortening to reach the right consistency for dipping or pouring.
• Marshmallow Fluff Ghosts: For a softer, fluffier ghost texture, you can skip the large marshmallows entirely. Instead, pipe a ghost shape onto the top of each cupcake using marshmallow fluff-based frosting, a piping bag, and a round or star tip. This method allows for more intricate ghost designs.
• Colored Cream Cheese Frosting: Introduce a pop of color and tangy flavor by adding a layer of vibrantly colored cream cheese frosting (think green, orange, or purple) directly onto the cupcake before placing the marshmallow ghost. It peeks out from under the ghost, adding a festive touch.
• Edible Marker Faces: For an easy and fun alternative to candy eyes, use an edible food marker (black works best) to draw unique and expressive ghost faces directly onto the set white candy coating. This gives you complete control over your ghost’s personality!
• Sprinkle Base: Before the candy coating fully sets on the cupcake base, sprinkle some Halloween-themed sprinkles around the bottom of the ghost for an extra festive touch.
• Mini Ghost Cupcakes: Use mini cupcakes and smaller marshmallows (or cut regular marshmallows in half) to create a batch of delightful mini ghost cupcakes, perfect for smaller bites or a larger crowd.

Essential Equipment for Your Culinary Cauldron

You won’t need any highly specialized gadgets to whip up these ghostly delights. Most of the equipment you’ll use can be found in a standard kitchen. Having the right tools, however, can make the process even smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need:

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• Cupcake/Muffin Tin: A standard 12-cup tin is perfect for baking your cupcakes.
• Cupcake Liners: Choose festive Halloween patterns or dark solid colors for a striking contrast.
• Large Mixing Bowl: For combining your cake mix ingredients.
• Whisk or Electric Mixer: To ensure your cupcake batter is smooth and well-incorporated.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Essential for melting your candy wafers evenly and safely.
• Spoon: For carefully pouring the candy coating over the marshmallows.
• Wire Cooling Rack: To allow your cupcakes to cool completely and prevent them from getting soggy bottoms.
• Toothpicks (Optional): Handy for stabilizing marshmallows if they tend to wobble during coating.

I have some items listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, to help you find everything you’ll need to make this recipe with ease.

More Spooktacular Halloween Recipes You’ll Adore

If you’re embracing the Halloween spirit, why stop at ghost cupcakes? Dive into our collection of other fun, festive, and frighteningly delicious recipes perfect for the season:

• Spider Web Brownies
• Halloween Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Nutter Butter Ghosts

Storing Your Leftover Ghosts

It’s rare to have leftovers of these delightful ghost cupcakes, but if you do, proper storage will ensure they stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to keep them at their best:

Store your ghost cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container. This will protect them from drying out and keep them fresh for up to 4 days. Place them in a single layer if possible, or use parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together or damaging their delicate candy coating.

While convenient for many baked goods, these ghost cupcakes don’t freeze particularly well due to the marshmallow and candy coating. The texture can become unpleasantly chewy or sticky upon thawing. Therefore, it’s best to plan your batch size according to your party needs. If you unexpectedly have a few extra, sharing them with friends, neighbors, or colleagues is a wonderful way to avoid waste and spread some Halloween cheer!

If you’ve tried this Ghost Cupcakes with Marshmallow Recipe or any other fantastic recipe on my site, please let me know in the comment section below how it turned out! We absolutely love hearing from our wonderful readers and seeing your creations.

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Ghost Cupcakes With Marshmallow Recipe Card

These cute Halloween Cupcakes are my favorite type – ghosts made from stuffed marshmallow sitting on a red velvet cupcake with white candy melt poured over the top, completed with adorable candy eyes. They are the perfect spooky-sweet treat for any Halloween gathering!

Equipment

• Candy Eyes
• Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows
• White Candy Melts

Ingredients

• 1 (15 Ounce) Box Red Velvet Cake Mix
• ½ Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1-¼ Cups Water
• 3 Large Eggs
• 2 (8.6 Ounce) Packs Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows
• 12 Ounces White Candy Melting Wafers
• 1 Pack Candy Eyes

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake tray with cupcake cases.
2. Mix the cupcake mix, eggs, water, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Divide batter between each cupcake liner to about ¾ full.
3. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Place one chocolate-stuffed marshmallow on top of each cooled cupcake.
5. Melt the white candy wafers in the microwave on 50% power, in 30-second bursts, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Add a teaspoon of vegetable shortening if you need to thin it slightly.
6. Using a spoon, gently pour the melted candy over the top of each marshmallow, allowing it to drip down the sides to create a ghostly effect, ensuring it covers the marshmallow entirely and slightly extends onto the cupcake.
7. While the candy coating is still wet, place two candy eyes onto each marshmallow ghost.

Notes

If you have trouble with the marshmallows staying still during the coating process, you could use a toothpick to hold them in place. Remove the toothpick carefully after the coating has set.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 175mg | Sugar: 19g