Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 3–4 drops liquid food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- ¼ tsp wolfsbane extract (food-grade hyoscyamus orsafe herbal substitute — see notes)
- Purple buttercream frosting: 1 cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa, 2–3 tbsp heavy cream, purple gel color
- Decorations: edible black royal icing raven, edible glitter, green fondant wolfsbane sprig
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 12-cup muffin tin with black or charcoal liner cups.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and vinegar.
- Alt: alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk in 3 parts, beginning and ending with dry.
- Divide batter evenly into 6 bowls. Tint each with a different food color; stir in 2–3 drops per bowl.
- Spoon colors into muffin cups in a clockwise rainbow pattern (red → purple). Use a chopstick to gently swirl — do *not* overmix.
- Bake 18–20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Beat buttercream ingredients until smooth. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
- Decorate with raven, edible glitter, and fondant wolfsbane.
Notes
- Wolfsbane Note: Real wolfsbane (aconite) is toxic. Use a food-safe herbal extract or omit entirely — the name is thematic! For infusion, infuse butter with chamomile + lemon balm mimicking ‘magical’ scent.
- For vegan version: use flax eggs, Vegan butter, and almond milk.
- Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days; bring to room temp before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Gothic
- Diet: Vegetarian (vegan adaptable)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 240 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
