Mini Halloween Unicorn Cake (Cupcakes) Idea
This easy Mini Halloween Unicorn Cake recipe is made with boxed cake mix, from scratch vanilla frosting, and adorable unicorn icing decorations that are edible for an easy Halloween treat that’s sure to be a show stopper!
I’m continuing my flurry of sharing fun Halloween recipes, crafts, and games with these adorable Halloween unicorn cupcakes.
This is a simple but super fun holiday recipe that’s perfect for parties, birthdays, or school events! Thanks to the unicorn cake toppers, decorating is simply a matter of putting the icing on the cupcakes then adding sprinkles and edible unicorn toppers.
I love easy – and this mini Halloween unicorn cake recipe fits the bill!
Add to the Halloween fun with this free Halloween Bingo printable game! Just click the image to pick up your instant download! 👇👇
Aren’t unicorns great? There’s something mystical, mysterious, and magical about them. This is why I already have a Rainbow Unicorn Cake and an everyday version of Rainbow Unicorn Cupcakes.
And while unicorns aren’t usually associated with Halloween, I figure why not? Unicorns are great ANY time of the year!
Not only is this mini Halloween unicorn cake recipe a cinch to make, but the finished cupcakes also add a fun spooky mystical touch to an already magical holiday! Make them for school Halloween parties or add them to your Halloween dessert table at home.
Try serving them with Mummy Jalapeno Poppers With Bacon and a Hocus Pocus Frappuccino or a magical glass of Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice. No matter how you serve them up, EVERYONE will love these double-frosted Halloween unicorn cupcakes!
Making Mini Halloween Unicorn Cakes (a.k.a. Cupcakes)
These cupcakes couldn’t be easier! They start as a box of cake mix. Simply divide the dough into 2 bowls and dye one bowl of dough orange and the other purple.
The marbled-colored dough adds a really special touch that kids LOVE!
Ingredients Needed For Mini Halloween Unicorn Cake (Cupcakes)
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe. I split up the list into the different parts of the cupcakes so that you know what you need to pick up. Please refer to the handy printable recipe card below for the full recipe!
French Vanilla Cupcakes Ingredients
- French Vanilla cake mix
- Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box
- Muffin pan
- Cupcake liners
- Purple and orange gel food coloring
Vanilla Frosting Ingredients
- Unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy whipping cream
- Vanilla extract
- Neon Green gel food coloring
- Disposable piping bag with medium star tip
- Medium ice cream scoop
- Small bowl
- Halloween sprinkles
Decorations
How To Make Halloween Unicorn Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven as per directions on the box. Put the liners in the muffin pan. Set aside.
- Following the directions add ingredients.
- Mix all ingredients as instructed.
- Divide the batter into two bowls
- Mix in a few drops of purple food coloring into one bowl
- Mix in a few drops of orange food coloring into the second bowl
- Alternate between the purple batter and the orange one, scoop about 1 TBSP of batter each into the cupcake liners until ⅔ full
- Put in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. It should come out clean.
- If they aren’t done, check again every two minutes until they’re done.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.
Halloween Unicorn Cake Frosting Directions
- Using a standing mixer combine the butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and mix on medium speed until combined and smooth
- Mix in a few drops of neon green gel food coloring and mix until combined
- Scoop 1 C of frosting into the piping bag
Halloween Unicorn Cake Decorating Directions
- Using the medium ice cream scooper, scoop some frosting onto the top of the cupcake
- Using a butterknife, lightly spread the frosting into a thick smooth disk
- Pour the halloween sprinkles into a small bowl and dip the frosting on the cupcake into the sprinkles
- Using the piping bag, pipe a dollop of frosting into the center of the cupcake
- Using the Unicorn Horn icing decoration, place it into the top middle of the frosting
- Place 1 “Ear” on both sides of the horn
Add to the Halloween fun with this free Halloween Bingo printable game! Just click the image to pick up your instant download! 👇👇
Heather’s Recipe Notes and Tips
- French Vanilla cake mix is really just vanilla cake with extra vanilla flavoring. Want normal vanilla? Use regular vanilla cake mix or make them from scratch!
- Bake your mini Halloween unicorn cake in fun Halloween-themed cupcake liners!
- When it comes to food coloring, what you use matters. I recommend using pastes or gels instead of liquid food coloring.
- When using food coloring gels, remember that a little goes a LONG way! You can always add more but you can’t remove it. Start with small amounts and gradually add more until you get the color you want.
- Get the marbled effect in your cupcakes by alternating spoonfuls of each colored cupcake batter as you add them to the liners.
Frosting Tips
- Feel free to adjust the amount of powdered sugar and cream slightly in order to reach the frosting consistency that you want.
- Make sure that cupcakes are completely cool before you frost them or the frosting will melt – which is never good!
- For the second layer of frosting, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip for the frosting swirl. It’s completely worth investing in an affordable set of piping tips!
Enjoy! I hope you love this mini Halloween unicorn cake idea. Happy Halloween!
More Halloween Inspiration
If you love this mini Halloween unicorn cake (cupcakes) recipe, don’t leave without checking out:
- Breakable Halloween Mummy Candy Bombs
- Mummy Jalapeno Poppers With Bacon
- Witch Hat Cookies: Easy Halloween Treat
- Ghost Pong Minute To Win It Halloween Game
- Witches Cauldron Easy Halloween Cake Pops
Add to the Halloween fun with this free Halloween Bingo printable game! Just click the image to pick up your instant download! 👇👇
Mini Halloween Unicorn Cake (Cupcakes)
These easy Mini Halloween Unicorn Cakes are made with boxed cake mix, from scratch vanilla frosting, and adorable unicorn icing decorations that are edible for an easy Halloween treat that's sure to be a show stopper!
Ingredients
- 1 box French Vanilla cake mix
- Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box
- Cupcake liners
- Purple and orange gel food coloring
Vanilla Frosting
- 6 C powdered sugar
- 3 C unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 5-7 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Neon Green gel food coloring
- 1 disposable piping bag with medium star tip
- Halloween sprinkles
- Unicorn Icing Decorations
Instructions
Unicorn Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven.
- Mix up the cupcake ingredients according to the directions on the cake mix box.
- Divide the batter into two bowls.
- Mix in a few drops of purple food coloring into one bowl. Mix in a few drops of orange food coloring into the second bowl.
- Alternate between the purple batter and the orange one, scoop about 1 TBSP of batter each into the cupcake liners until ⅔ full.
- Put in the oven and bake for 22 minutes.
- Check for doneness. (Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake, it should come out clean.)
- If they are not done, check again every 3 minutes until they are done.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before adding frosting.
Vanilla Frosting
- Using a standing mixer combine the butter, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and mix on medium speed until combined and smooth.
- Mix in a few drops of neon green gel food coloring and mix until combined.
- Scoop 1 C of frosting into the piping bag.
Decorating Your Cupcakes
- Using the medium ice cream scooper, scoop some frosting onto the top of the cupcake.
- Using a butter knife, lightly spread the frosting into a thick smooth disk.
- Pour the Halloween sprinkles into a small bowl and entire frosting into the sprinkles.
- Using the piping bag, pipe a dollop of frosting into the center of the cupcake.
- Using the Unicorn Horn icing decoration, place it into the top middle of the frosting.
- Place 1 “Ear” on both sides of the horn.