Festive Pumpkin Delight Cupcake Cake
Bring the spirit of fall to your next gathering with these adorable Festive Pumpkin Delight Cupcake Cakes! Inspired by the seasonal charm of autumn, these delightful chocolate cupcakes are not only visually stunning but also bursting with flavor. With a moist devil's food base and a vibrant orange frosting resembling a plump pumpkin, this dessert is sure to impress both kids and adults alike at any fall festival, Halloween party, or church bake sale. The use of vibrant M&M’s adds a playful touch, while the process of building the cupcake pumpkin truly makes for a fun and interactive baking experience. Perfect for sharing, each cupcake is a bite of festive joy that captures the essence of fall festivities in every delicious morsel.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
devil's food cake mix
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box (none)
eggs
4 (beaten)
buttermilk
1 cup (none)
canola oil
1/2 cup (none)
vanilla frosting
2 (16 ounce) cans (none)
orange food coloring
to preference (none)
black M&M's
1 cup (none)
orange M&M's
2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 26 cupcake pans with paper liners and set aside.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the devil's food cake mix, eggs, buttermilk, and canola oil. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
3
Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
4
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
5
While the cupcakes cool, prepare the frosting. In a bowl, tint the vanilla frosting with the orange food coloring, mixing thoroughly until the desired shade of orange is achieved.
6
Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, arrange them on a large serving platter or a cardboard covered in foil to form the shape of a pumpkin. Follow this arrangement: one row of 4 cupcakes, one row of 5, one row of 6, another row of 5, and finally one row of 4. Place the last two cupcakes at the top to represent the pumpkin's stem.
7
Generously spread the orange frosting over each cupcake, ensuring they're completely covered to create a seamless pumpkin appearance.
8
Decorate the pumpkin shape using black M&M’s to create the outline, eyes, nose, and mouth. Fill the remaining areas with orange M&M’s to add extra flair and color.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Festive Pumpkin Delight Cupcake Cake?
It is a festive pull-away cupcake cake made from chocolate cupcakes arranged and frosted to resemble a large pumpkin.
What flavor are the cupcakes in this recipe?
The cupcakes are made using a devil's food cake mix, providing a rich chocolate flavor.
How many cupcakes does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 26 cupcakes which are used to construct the pumpkin shape.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
What ingredients are needed for the cupcake batter?
You will need a box of devil's food cake mix, 4 beaten eggs, 1 cup of buttermilk, and 1/2 cup of canola oil.
How many eggs are required for the Festive Pumpkin Delight?
The recipe requires 4 beaten eggs.
Can I substitute the buttermilk?
While buttermilk is specified for moisture and flavor, you could use a standard buttermilk substitute if necessary, though the original recipe calls for 1 cup of buttermilk.
How long should the cupcakes bake?
Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes.
How do I know if the cupcakes are done?
They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
How long should the cupcakes cool in the pan?
Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
What kind of frosting is used for the decoration?
The recipe uses two 16-ounce cans of vanilla frosting tinted with orange food coloring.
How do I make the frosting orange?
Mix orange food coloring into the vanilla frosting until you reach your desired shade of orange.
How are the cupcakes arranged to form the pumpkin?
Arrange them in rows of 4, 5, 6, 5, and 4 cupcakes, with 2 cupcakes at the top for the stem.
What should I use as a base for the cupcake cake?
Use a large serving platter or a piece of cardboard covered in foil.
How do I create the seamless pumpkin look?
Generously spread the orange frosting over the arranged cupcakes so they appear as one continuous shape.
What is used to decorate the pumpkin's face?
Black M&M's are used to create the outline, eyes, nose, and mouth.
How many black M&M's are needed?
You will need 1 cup of black M&M's for the facial features and outline.
What are the orange M&M's used for?
Orange M&M's are used to fill in the remaining areas of the pumpkin for extra color and texture.
How many orange M&M's does the recipe require?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of orange M&M's.
Is this recipe suitable for Halloween?
Yes, it is perfect for Halloween parties, fall festivals, and autumn celebrations.
Is this a kid-friendly baking project?
Yes, the interactive process of arranging and decorating the cupcakes with M&M's makes it a fun activity for children.
What size cake mix box is used?
The recipe uses one 18 1/4 ounce box of devil's food cake mix.
How full should I fill the cupcake liners?
Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with batter.
How many cupcakes form the pumpkin stem?
Two cupcakes are placed at the top to represent the stem.
Does this recipe include real pumpkin?
No, it is a chocolate-based cupcake cake shaped like a pumpkin, but it does not contain pumpkin puree.
What type of oil is used in the batter?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of canola oil.
Can I use homemade frosting?
Yes, while the recipe uses canned vanilla frosting for convenience, you can substitute with your favorite homemade vanilla frosting.
Do I need to grease the cupcake pans?
The recipe recommends using paper liners, so greasing the pans is not necessary.
When should I add the M&M's?
Decorate with M&M's after the cupcakes have been arranged and fully frosted with the orange frosting.
What is the preparation for the eggs?
The eggs should be beaten before being added to the mixing bowl.