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Spooky Black Sesame Halloween Cupcakes: Easy Spiderweb Icing

black sesame halloween cupcakes - featured image
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These naturally spooky black sesame cupcakes get their moody charcoal color from toasted black sesame seeds, not artificial dye. Topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream and an easy spiderweb design, they’re a unique, nutty, and unforgettable Halloween treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (190g)
  • ½ cup black sesame seeds (70g), toasted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113g), softened
  • 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan), room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup buttermilk (180ml)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (226g), softened (for icing)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (480g), sifted (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk) (for icing)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
  • Pinch of salt (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons black sesame paste (optional, for gray icing base)
  • White gel food coloring (for decoration)
  • Black gel food coloring (for decoration)
  • Optional: edible glitter or silver dragees (for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Place the ½ cup of black sesame seeds in a food processor or spice grinder. Pulse until they turn into a fine, dark powder. Be careful not to over-grind into sesame butter.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground black sesame powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  6. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour. Mix just until combined.
  7. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
  8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. While the cupcakes cool, make the buttercream: Beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed. Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy. If desired, beat in the black sesame paste for a gray base.
  10. Fit a piping bag with a large round tip and fill with buttercream. Pipe a generous swirl onto each cooled cupcake. Use an offset spatula to smooth the tops into a flat, even surface.
  11. Create the spiderweb: Using a small round tip or toothpick, pipe or draw a small circle in the center of each frosted cupcake with white gel food coloring. Draw larger concentric circles around it (3 to 4 total). Starting from the center, drag a toothpick or skewer outward through all the circles to the edge. Repeat 6 to 8 times around the cupcake, spacing evenly.
  12. Add spiders: Use black gel food coloring to pipe a small spider body in the center of the web, or place a black licorice string spider on top. Let the icing set for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the sesame seeds for the best flavor. The batter may look grayish-green, but it bakes into a dark charcoal color. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Room temperature ingredients are important for proper creaming. Practice the spiderweb pattern on a plate first. Cupcakes taste even better the next day as the sesame flavor deepens.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween cupcakes, black sesame cupcakes, spiderweb icing, easy Halloween dessert, black sesame recipe, spooky cupcakes, nutty cupcakes, Halloween baking

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/spooky-black-sesame-halloween-cupcakes-easy-spiderweb-icing/