Introduction

Brownie cupcakes offer a delightful twist by combining rich, fudgy brownie batter with bright, fluffy orange cake. Topped with creamy buttercream and festive sprinkles, these treats are perfect for Halloween or any fun occasion.

The image shows several mini cupcakes arranged on a white marbled surface. Each cupcake has three layers: a bottom dark brown crust, a thick middle orange cake layer with a soft texture, and a top layer of white creamy frosting piped in swirled peaks. The frosting is decorated with small sprinkles in black, orange, and white colors scattered on top and nearby the cupcakes. The focus is on the front cupcake, with others softly blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 box Brownie Mix
1 box White Cake Mix
20 Cupcake Liners
1 batch of The Best Buttercream Frosting
Halloween DIY Sprinkles
Orange Food Coloring

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions.
Step 2: Prepare the white cake batter according to the package instructions, then add orange food coloring to achieve a vibrant hue.
Step 3: Place cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Spoon brownie batter into each liner, filling about one-third full.
Step 4: Carefully spoon the orange cake batter over the brownie batter, filling each liner about three-quarters full.
Step 5: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Allow cupcakes to cool completely, then frost with the prepared buttercream frosting.
Step 7: Decorate with Halloween-themed sprinkles for a festive finish.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cake batter before baking.
Use your favorite color of food coloring for different seasonal themes.
Make these cupcakes ahead of time and freeze unfrosted for up to 2 months; thaw before frosting and serving.

Storage

Store frosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep unfrosted cupcakes in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw fully before frosting and serving. Frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated for up to 5 days but should be brought to room temperature before eating.

How to Serve

A close-up image of two layered cupcakes held by a woman's hand. The top cupcake has two layers: a dark brown chocolate bottom layer and a bright orange top layer with a moist, spongy texture. It is topped with a swirl of smooth white frosting. The bottom cupcake is shown without frosting, revealing its two layers as well: the same dark brown chocolate layer on bottom and bright orange cake on top, with the white cupcake liner partially peeled away. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade brownie and cake batters instead of box mixes?

Absolutely! Homemade batters work well and can add a personal touch to the cupcakes. Just ensure the brownie batter is thick enough to hold its shape beneath the cake layer.

What if I don’t have orange food coloring?

You can skip the food coloring or use natural alternatives like carrot juice or pumpkin puree to add color and moisture to the cake batter.

Brownie Cupcakes Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 124 reviews

These Brownie Cupcakes combine the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with the light, fluffy texture of orange-tinted white cake, creating a unique two-layer cupcake perfect for Halloween or any festive occasion. Topped with smooth buttercream frosting and festive DIY sprinkles, they are a delightful treat that balances chocolate and citrus flavors in every bite.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 cupcakes 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

1 box Brownie Mix

Cake Batter

1 box White Cake Mix
Orange Food Coloring (enough to tint batter)

Toppings

1 batch The Best Buttercream Frosting
Halloween DIY Sprinkles

Other

20 Cupcake Liners

Instructions

Prepare Brownie Batter: Mix the brownie batter according to the instructions on the brownie mix box until smooth and well combined.
Prepare Cake Batter: Mix the white cake batter according to the cake mix instructions. Add orange food coloring gradually until the batter turns a bright orange shade.
Fill Cupcake Liners with Brownie Batter: Place cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Spoon brownie batter into each liner to fill about one-third of the way up. This provides a dense brownie base.
Add Cake Batter: Carefully spoon the orange cake batter on top of the brownie batter in the liners, filling each liner up to three-quarters full. This creates a layered effect that is more cake than brownie.
Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
Frost the Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are cool, spread or pipe a generous amount of The Best Buttercream Frosting on top of each cupcake.
Add Sprinkles: Decorate the frosted cupcakes with Halloween-themed DIY sprinkles for a festive touch.

Notes

Do not overfill cupcake liners to avoid overflow while baking.
Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
Use toothpick tests to check doneness, as baking times may vary by oven.
The orange color can be adjusted to your preferred shade by adding food coloring gradually.
Buttercream frosting can be prepared ahead to save time.

Keywords: brownie cupcakes, layered cupcakes, Halloween cupcakes, orange cake, buttercream frosting, festive cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe