Easy and Spooky Chocolate Spider Halloween Cupcakes

Celebrate Halloween with playful spider cupcakes! A double-chocolate dessert that everyone will love at your party.

Every Halloween, I love creating desserts that are as playful as they are delicious. Growing up, my mom always encouraged creativity in the kitchen—especially around the holidays. These halloween spider cupcakes bring that same joy and whimsy to my own kitchen today. They’re the perfect blend of rich, chocolatey flavor and spooky-cute fun, guaranteed to be a hit at any Halloween party (or with kids who love to help decorate).

When I first made these spider cupcakes, my kitchen looked like a Halloween candy explosion—but hearing the laughter from my family made it worth every sprinkle that hit the floor. It’s the kind of treat that brings people together around the counter, where frosting-covered fingers and creativity run wild.

Why We Love these Spooky Spider Halloween Cupcakes

These chocolate cupcakes aren’t just a dessert—they’re a memory in the making. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash, surprising your kids after school, or simply craving something fun and chocolatey, these little spiders with candy eyes are guaranteed to spin a web of smiles.

Key Ingredients for these Easy Spider Cupcakes

Cocoa powder – Cocoa powder gives these cupcakes their deep, chocolatey flavor. Using unsweetened cocoa ensures a rich taste that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the frosting.

All-purpose flour – This provides structure to the cupcakes, helping them rise just enough to stay fluffy but not dense.

Granulated sugar – Sugar not only sweetens the batter but also keeps the cupcakes moist and tender.

Baking soda + baking powder – These two leaveners work together to help the cupcakes rise and create that perfect soft crumb.

Salt – A touch of salt enhances all the other flavors, especially the chocolate.

Eggs – Eggs bind everything together and add richness, ensuring the cupcakes are light and airy. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the batter.

Freshly brewed black coffee – Coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cupcakes taste like coffee—it’s the secret to ultra-chocolaty desserts!

Milk – Adds moisture and helps dissolve the dry ingredients evenly. Whole milk works best for richness, but any milk will do.

Canola or vegetable oil – Oil keeps the cupcakes extra moist even after they cool. Unlike butter, oil helps them stay soft for days.

Vanilla extract – Vanilla balances the cocoa’s intensity and adds warmth to the flavor.

Chocolate Frosting – A luscious layer of chocolate frosting acts as the “glue” for the sprinkles and the base for your spider’s body. It also adds extra indulgence!

Black Sugar Sprinkles – These create the spider’s fuzzy, glittery exterior and give the cupcakes that creepy-crawly Halloween vibe.

Black Licorice Laces for the spider legs – Cut into 2-inch pieces, these make perfect spider legs! They’re flexible, fun, and edible, turning each cupcake into a mini work of art.

Betty Crocker Decorating Decors Cinnamon Imperials for the eyes – These bright red candies make the perfect eyes, adding a tiny pop of color and a spicy-sweet surprise.

How do I assemble the cupcakes?

Start by baking my favorite chocolate cake recipe, found below.  This is hands down my most requested cake flavor, and for good reason!  It doesn’t taste too sweet like some chocolate cake recipes, and the sponge is so moist!  It was the perfect flavor for these spooky spider Halloween cupcakes.  Once the cupcakes are cooled, scoop the frosting into a Solo bowl and have the kids mix it up a bit before spreading it on the cupcakes.

Using a small offset spatula, or a knife, spread the chocolate frosting over the top of the cooled cupcakes.  It doesn’t have to be super smooth, because you’re going to dip it in the sprinkles after, covering any bumps in the frosting.

Add the black sugar sprinkles into another solo bowl.  Press the frosted cupcakes (frosting side down) into the sprinkle filled solo bowl.  Make sure to swirl the cupcake around so that all chocolate is covered by black sugar sprinkles.

Cut the black licorice laces into 2″ pieces.  Stick 4 licorice piece on the edge of the cupcake, then repeat on the other side to make the spider’s legs.  Place on the red cinnamon candies on top of each cupcake for eyes.

I always love letting kids (or friends!) join in for this part—it’s a little messy but so much fun. Each spider ends up with its own quirky personality—some tall and spindly, some squat and cute.

 Additional Recipes to Try

Looking for more spooky halloween recipes? Check out these deliciously creepy ideas :

Easy Halloween Appetizers, Snacks and Treats – easy Halloween food ideas that impress. Simple and spooky recipes for your festive party.

Halloween Snack Board– filled with festive treats like Halloween sugar cookies, pretzel sticks and candy eyes! It’s perfect for those hungry trick-or-treaters this time of year!

Zombie Brain Halloween Cupcakes – these spooky cupcakes are simple to make and will complete your halloween tablescape!  

Print

Want to pin this for later? Click on the image below!