These charming Ghost Cupcakes are made with every Trick-or-Treater in mind: delicious, gluten-free, and vegan — and impossibly cute.
Article courtesy Sarah Hornacek, Sarah Bakes Gluten Free Treats
As promised, here are more “spooktacular” Halloween treats. If you missed the mummy cookies I shared last week, be sure to check them out — adorable and family-friendly. I find so much inspiration on Pinterest during the holidays; follow me there for my latest and favorite recipes and creative ideas.
About these fun Ghost Cupcakes:
These ghost cupcakes are one of the simplest allergy-friendly Halloween treats you can make. Start with a tender chocolate cupcake, top it with a tall mound of fluffy vanilla vegan buttercream, and add two small chocolate eyes. That’s it — minimal effort and maximum cuteness. These little ghosts transform an ordinary gluten-free vegan cupcake into a festive, kid-approved dessert.
Making vegan buttercream:
Choose a buttercream that’s firm enough to hold shape but still light and flavorful. Add the coconut milk coffee creamer slowly, a tablespoon at a time, to avoid making the frosting too soft. Watch the texture as you beat it so you achieve a smooth, pipeable consistency.
Ghost Cupcakes + Monster Brownies: BFFs Forever
Pair these ghost cupcakes with spooky-cute Monster Brownies for a Halloween spread that’s both adorable and allergen-conscious. The Monster Brownies from Sarah Bakes Gluten Free are another great gluten-free, dairy-free option to serve alongside the cupcakes.
If you’re buying candy this season, consider using a gluten-free candy guide or an allergen-free candy list to help keep all trick-or-treaters safe.
Gluten-Free Vegan Ghost Cupcakes
Sarah Bakes Gluten Free
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
chocolate cupcakes
- 1 ¼ cups Sarah’s gluten free flour blend or your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour
- ½ cup good quality cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- ⅓ cup sunflower seed oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
vegan vanilla buttercream frosting
- ½ cup organic non-hydrogenated shortening
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, cold
- 3 cups organic powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons coconut milk coffee creamer, regular or French vanilla
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dairy-free mini chocolate chips or chocolate candies for eyes
Instructions
for the cupcakes:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. Sift together the gluten-free flour blend, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, water, and vinegar until slightly curdled. Stir in the sugar, sunflower oil, and vanilla. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined. Mix for about 1 minute.
Divide batter among the liners and bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer cupcakes to a cooling rack and cool completely before frosting.
for the vegan buttercream:
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In a stand mixer, beat the shortening and cold vegan butter for 1 minute. Add the sifted powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of coconut milk coffee creamer, and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes until smooth.
If needed, add a third tablespoon of creamer to reach a pipeable consistency. Beat the frosting until light and fluffy.
to build the ghost cupcakes:
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Fit a piping bag with a large round tip. Pipe a tall mound of frosting in the center of each cupcake, pulling the tip up to form a small peak. Press two mini dairy-free chocolate chips or candies into the frosting for eyes. Best enjoyed within 1–2 days for peak freshness.
Nutrition
Top-8 Allergen Free Candy List
Whether a little ghost, a fairy princess, or a superhero rings your doorbell, a Top-8 Allergen Free Candy list can help your Halloween visitors celebrate safely. Choose candy and treats that are free from common allergens when you want to share sweets with a mixed group.
A few more treats to try:
More Halloween cookie fun: Sarah’s gluten-free vegan Mummy Cookies
Start the spooky season with these delightful mummy cookies. They’re playful, allergy-friendly, and an easy way to give classic sugar cookies a Halloween makeover. The mummified icing and candy eyes make them extra fun for kids.
One more gluten-free vegan Halloween treat to try: Gingerbread Skeleton Cookies
Gingerbread Skeleton Cookies are a seasonal favorite that are easy to make ahead and freeze for later. They’re festive, sturdy for decorating, and a fun addition to any Halloween cookie platter.
