Introduction

These Skeleton Cupcakes are a perfect spooky treat for Halloween parties or any fun occasion. Combining chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow skeletons, they’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

Three cupcakes sit on a piece of rough beige cloth on a decorative dark metal tray with a blurred dark setting behind. Each cupcake has a dark chocolate base wrapped in a dark brown liner. The cupcakes are topped with thick swirls of frosting in different colors: one with light beige, one with dark brown, and one with orange frosting. On each frosting swirl is a white marshmallow shaped like a square skull with dark spots for eyes, nose, and mouth lines. White candy pieces form a small skeleton body on the frosting in front of each marshmallow skull, with lines for ribs and legs, and dark brown candy sticks as arms. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

12 chocolate cupcakes (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)
48 mini marshmallows (about 4 per skeleton)
12 large marshmallows (1 per skeleton head)
12 lollipop sticks or pretzel rods
1 black edible marker or black decorating gel
Crushed chocolate cookies (optional, for “dirt”)
Pretzel sticks or yogurt-covered pretzels (optional for arms/legs)

Instructions

Step 1: Bake or buy your chocolate cupcakes and allow them to cool completely.
Step 2: Frost each cupcake with chocolate frosting to create a “ground” base for your skeletons.
Step 3: Thread 3 to 4 mini marshmallows onto each lollipop stick to form the skeleton’s body.
Step 4: Top each stick with a large marshmallow to serve as the skeleton’s head.
Step 5: Use a black edible marker or decorating gel to draw spooky or funny faces on the large marshmallow heads.
Step 6: Insert each marshmallow skeleton stick carefully into the center of each cupcake.
Step 7: Optional: Add broken pretzel sticks as arms and legs, and sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies on the frosting to simulate dirt around your skeletons.
Step 8: Serve immediately and enjoy your frightfully fun Halloween treat!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try using flavored frosting like vanilla or cream cheese instead of chocolate.
If you don’t have an edible marker, black decorating gel or melted chocolate can be used to draw faces on the marshmallows.
Use different colors of mini marshmallows to create colorful skeleton bodies for a playful twist.
Swap pretzel rods for colorful candy sticks to make the skeletons more festive.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigeration as the marshmallows can become sticky and lose their shape. If you need to store longer, keep cupcakes without marshmallow skeletons covered, then assemble just before serving.

How to Serve

Three chocolate cupcakes are shown, each topped with a different colored swirl of frosting: dark brown on the front cupcake, orange on the left cupcake, and medium brown on the right cupcake. On top of each swirl, a white marshmallow shaped like a skull is placed standing upright with dark eyes, nose, and mouth drawn on. White candy pieces are arranged on the frosting to form a skeleton's ribcage and arms, with two arms reaching out forward on each cupcake. The cupcakes are on a round tray lined with a burlap cloth, placed on a white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these skeleton cupcakes ahead of time?

You can bake and frost the cupcakes a day ahead, but it’s best to add the marshmallow skeletons just before serving to keep them fresh and standing upright.

What if I don’t have an edible marker?

If you don’t have an edible marker, black decorating gel works well. Alternatively, use a small brush to paint melted dark chocolate or food coloring on the marshmallow heads.

Skeleton Cupcakes Recipe

Print Recipe

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These spooky Skeleton Cupcakes are a fun and festive Halloween treat featuring chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting and marshmallow skeletons. Easy to assemble and perfect for parties, these cupcakes combine a delicious chocolate base with cute marshmallow skeleton decorations, including hand-drawn faces and optional pretzel arms and legs for added character.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes (if baking cupcakes from scratch)
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base

12 chocolate cupcakes (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup chocolate frosting (store-bought or homemade)

Skeleton Decorations

48 mini marshmallows (about 4 per skeleton)
12 large marshmallows (1 per skeleton head)
12 lollipop sticks or pretzel rods
1 black edible marker or black decorating gel

Optional Decorations

Crushed chocolate cookies (optional, for “dirt”)
Pretzel sticks or yogurt-covered pretzels (optional for arms/legs)

Instructions

Prepare Cupcakes: Bake 12 chocolate cupcakes from scratch or use store-bought cupcakes, then let them cool completely to set a good base for decoration.
Frost Cupcakes: Spread chocolate frosting generously on each cooled cupcake, creating a smooth ‘ground’ layer for the skeleton to stand on.
Assemble Skeleton Bodies: Thread 3 to 4 mini marshmallows onto each lollipop stick or pretzel rod to form the skeleton’s torso and spine.
Add Skeleton Heads: Place one large marshmallow on top of each stick as the skeleton’s head, securing the figure’s shape.
Decorate Faces: Using a black edible marker or decorating gel, draw spooky or funny skeleton faces onto each large marshmallow head to add character and charm.
Insert Skeletons: Carefully insert each marshmallow skeleton stick into the center of a frosted cupcake, ensuring it stands upright.
Add Optional Details: For extra spooky effect, attach broken pretzel sticks as arms and legs and sprinkle crushed chocolate cookies around the base to mimic dirt or ground texture.
Serve and Enjoy: Present your Halloween-themed cupcakes at parties or gatherings and enjoy your creative and festive treats.

Notes

You can use store-bought cupcakes and frosting to save time.
The skeleton arms and legs made from pretzel sticks are optional but add fun detail.
Use a fine-tip edible marker for the best face designs.
Crushed cookies mimic a dirt effect but can be omitted if preferred.
Store decorated cupcakes at room temperature and serve the same day for best freshness.

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, skeleton cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, marshmallow skeletons, Halloween treats, spooky treats