Black Velvet Cupcakes with Haunted Chocolate Tree’s

by Brooke on October 24, 2010

Do you ever feel like you can’t see the forest for the tree’s?

I’m so sorry. I couldn’t resist.

There’s all sorts of fantastic news and gossip to catch you up on, like how at exactly 4:44 today my entire house was clean for a single, perfect second. And how I totally lived this moment while playing chaperone at my son’s 7th grade dance last Friday. And how I picked up a handful of rainbow colored leaves while on a midafternoon jog, then tossed them in the air because I couldn’t smile big enough over the sheer wonder that is autumn.

But, how could we possibly waste a moment of breath on gossip when there are Black Velvet Cupcakes to gawk? I want so much to say something…anything about these cupcakes. But, I think they are so utterly clever and adorable, I can think of only one thing to do with them.

Bake ‘em. Share ‘em. Eat ‘em up.

Happy Cupcake-o-ween!

To make your own haunted tree toppers: Print off a template of a spooky tree (like this one here) sized approximately 3″ high. Place the printed tree underneath a large piece of parchment paper.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 cups of chocolate chips by zapping them in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stirring them vigorously. Zap for 30, then stir until the chocolate chips are melted. They should never actually get hot to the touch, which is a good thing! (Chocolate that is overmelted will cool with little white dots, which is kinda gross and ugly. So, take care not to overmelt your chocolate. )

Spoon melted chocolate into a large plastic freezer bag. Snip a small corner off of the bottom of the bag and pipe the chocolate onto the parchment, following the basic outline of the tree. Allow to cool & harden completely in a room temperature room before decorating your cupcakes.

Black Velvet Cupcakes

Red velvet cupcakes are okay for Valentine's Day and vampires. But, if you want a truly spookalicious way to celebrate Hallow's eve, then try these delicious Black Velvet Cupcakes. Full of cocoa flavor, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. This recipe is so delicious, it's scary. Keep you're eye on the recipe instructions, though--there are a few tricks to making these treats. Nothing that should frighten you away, but a few funny little tips that you'll want to follow.

Ingredients:

FOR THE CUPCAKES:
2 cups canola oil
2¼ cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1¼ cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon black gel food coloring
3½ cups flour
½ cup cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1 (8 oz.) box cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
orange gel food coloring

Directions:

FOR THE CUPCAKES:
In a large bowl, beat together oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and gel food coloring. In a second, medium bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. Slowly start to beat the dry ingredients into the wet just until they are all fully incorporated. In a small bowl, mix together the baking soda and vinegar. Beat into the batter until incorporated then spoon into muffin tins lined with cupcake wrappers. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or just until the center of the cupcakes bounce back when touched lightly. Cool completely before frosting.

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and shortening. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until light and fluffy. Color with food coloring, if desired.

Posted in Cakes and Cupcakes, Fall, Halloween

20 comments »

20 Responses to “Black Velvet Cupcakes with Haunted Chocolate Tree’s”

1

jksfam on October 24, 2010 at 9:33 pm Reply

Cool trees!
2

Alicia on October 24, 2010 at 9:37 pm Reply

I love your chocolate trees! They could also be moose or deer antlers. Just a thought! You are such a creative baker.
3

I run for cake! on October 24, 2010 at 9:38 pm Reply

This are adorable. Love the chocolate tree toppers!
4

theblogisthenewblack on October 25, 2010 at 5:00 am Reply

Very cute- I did something similar last year- I sprinkled fall leaf sprinkles on the trees before they dried. Your tries are MUCH better than mine! ;0)
5

Barbara Bakes on October 25, 2010 at 7:13 am Reply

Such a fun, delicious idea!
6

Kelly Irene on October 25, 2010 at 7:38 am Reply

When will I learn not to look at your blog at 9:30 in the morning?! All I am going to think about all day is cupcakes. Black velvet cupcakes with amazingly clever little trees sticking out. These look so delicious and, well, everything else wonderful I could possibly say about such cupcakes.
Good morning.
7

Karly on October 25, 2010 at 7:56 am Reply

Those chocolate trees are too cute! Love them!
8

Lisa ♥ on October 25, 2010 at 12:18 pm Reply

great idea!!!!! I like your blog. You have a new fan :-)
9

a. maren on October 25, 2010 at 3:42 pm Reply

mm, gorgeous! and such festive bright colors. i also love the idea of black velvet…how cool. you are very patient to make all those trees!

http://www.icyviolets.blogspot.com
10

Lora on October 25, 2010 at 6:30 pm Reply

adorable cupcakes…
11

Jas. on October 25, 2010 at 7:13 pm Reply

love it – as usual fabulous work brooke!
12

Jennifer on October 26, 2010 at 7:12 pm Reply

These tree cupcakes are adorable….or adorably spooky I should say. I love the idea of black velvet too- perfect for Halloween!
13

Wendy on October 27, 2010 at 9:38 am Reply

Love these!
14

Patty on October 29, 2010 at 6:56 pm Reply

These are fantastico! The trees are so elegant – great instructions. Thanks for sharing your awesomeness Brooke!

xo Patty
15

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida on October 31, 2010 at 1:39 pm Reply

I've just become your most recent follower. These cupcakes are brilliant! Those trees look professionally done, but thanks to your wonderful tutorial anyone can do them. I'm trying this next year.
16

Sonya on October 31, 2010 at 7:35 pm Reply

I love these trees and made them yesterday! Wonderful idea!

I had trouble with them staying solid at room temperature, though. I had to put them in the fridge to solidify, and they began to droop once I took them out and put them in the cupcakes. Any advice on how to avoid this?
17

Lady Nann on November 4, 2010 at 2:02 pm Reply

Brooke….These are adorable!! Love the trees, and how clever is the black velvet cupcakes. My grandkids will LOVE these!
18

Ellie on November 6, 2010 at 11:43 am Reply

Adorable!! (but no apostrophe in trees :( )
19

Lil Miss LC on March 7, 2011 at 2:33 pm Reply

How easy is it to turn these into another kind of Velvet? I want to make Green Velvet cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day and your site is the only site I am aware of for High Altitude recipes. Any information would be appreciated!
20

karin on October 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm Reply

So great cupcakes better after day 2 and I made mine with oreo frosting yum yum

Black Velvet Cupcakes with Haunted Chocolate Tree’s