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Home » Recipes » Snack Recipes

Zombie Cupcakes

Close up of a zombie cupcake.
These Zombie Cupcakes are super cute and spooky. Chocolate cupcakes topped with a chocolate frosting and crumbled Oreo cookies with a delicious fondant zombie on top.
Prep Time :5 minutes mins
Cook Time :10 minutes mins
Total Time :1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Servings :24
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Close up of zombie cupcakes with text overlay for pinterest.

Published: Aug 11, 2022 · Modified: Oct 5, 2024 by Melanie Cagle · 2 Comments

These Zombie Cupcakes are so stinkin' cute, they're the perfect Halloween cupcake for any get together and they're super easy to make, by using ready made items as much as possible.

Close up of a zombie cupcake with more zombie cupcakes behind.
Halloween Zombie Cupcakes

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The top of each cupcake has crushed Oreos representing the earth in which the zombies are climbing out of. The oval cookie in the back (I used Milano cookies) has RIP written on using food marker and the zombie himself is made from colored fondant.

It's a great little project to get the kiddos to help with as making the zombies from fondant is exactly like working with play-doh!

These spooky cupcakes will be the life of the Halloween party.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • More Halloween Recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Zombie Cupcakes
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • I've used store-bought items to speed things up. You could make the cupcakes and frosting homemade if you prefer, but the decoration can take some time so I'd rather keep that side of it easier.
  • They are super cute and always get a massive 'ooooooh-aaaaahhhh' when revealed, lol.
  • It's a project you can get the kids to help with and have some fun family time. They'll have so much fun.
  • Nothing says happy Halloween more than some dead zombie cupcakes.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Ingredients all laid out with text overlay to show what is needed to make Zombie cupcakes.
  • Chocolate cake mix
  • Chocolate Frosting (not in photograph)
  • Water
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Eggs
  • Oreo Cookies (or any chocolate cookie crumbs)
  • Oval Cookies
  • White Fondant
  • Candy Eyeballs
  • Black and Green food coloring
  • Black and red food markers

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A collage of four images showing how to make zombie cupcakes.
  • Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl of stand mixer mix cake mix per package instructions.
  • Step 2: Divide cake batter into a cupcake tray, lined with paper cases and bake 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool on a wire rack.
  • Step 3: Add the Oreo cookies (I removed the icing first) to a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin.
  • Step 4: Spread chocolate frosting onto each cupcake.
A collage of 4 images, recipe steps for making zombie cupcakes.
  • Step 5: Break each cookie in half (or use a knife) and write RIP on each.
  • Step 6: Push cookie into each cupcake to represent the headstone the sprinkle with crushed cookie pieces (representing graveyard earth).
  • Step 7: Take the fondant and split into two. Put a few drops of green onto one and a few drops of black on the other. You're looking for a grass green and a zombie grey.
  • Step 8: Start shaping the grass and the zombie hand and zombie face and lay on top of the earth. Press two candy eyeballs into each 'head' and use the red marker to add a little blood. Use the black marker to add a little detail.

Hint: Use gloves to help prevent hands getting colored with the food dye.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Cake Mix - instead of chocolate you could use whatever you prefer.
  • Homemade cupcakes - if you prefer and have a favorite recipe go ahead and do that.
Zombie cupcakes spread out over a table.

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Necessary gear: Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I only used my stand mixer with the paddle attachment (but you could use an electric mixer or beat by hand if you like) and cupcake trays for this recipe. I have some links posted in the recipe card at the bottom of this post if you want more information.

More Halloween Recipes I think you'll love

  • close up of a glass of jungle juice with a skeleton in the background.
  • A collage of four images showing some halloween treats that were made using oreos.
  • A collage of halloween movie night snacks, like sliced apples made to look like teeth.
  • a plate full of maple bacon fudge with a maple leaf in the background and some bacon slices
  • Halloween Jungle Juice
  • Halloween Treats Made With Oreos
  • 70 Best Halloween Snacks
  • Voodoo Fudge
  • Halloween Grilled Cheese
  • Halloween Cake Mix Cookies
  • Ghost Cupcakes

How to store leftovers

The zombie cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for a few days in an airtight container.

Mel's kitchen notes

You don't need a lot of frosting on the cupcakes - in fact, just enough to 'hold' the Oreo crumbs.

Overhead shot of zombie cupcakes.

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

Is it easy to make the zombies?

Working with fondant is exactly like shaping play-doh. If you can make a shape out of play-doh, you're good!

Where can I find the food markers?

My local Walmart actually had these, but you can find them in Michaels or Hobby Lobby too.


If you’ve tried these Halloween Zombie Cupcakes or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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Zombie Cupcakes

These Zombie Cupcakes are super cute and spooky. Chocolate cupcakes topped with a chocolate frosting and crumbled Oreo cookies with a delicious fondant zombie on top.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Additional Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Servings: 24
Cuisine: Cupcakes, Halloween Recipes
Author: Melanie Cagle
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Video

Equipment

  • Wilton Cupcake Pan, 12-Cup, Steel
  • Stand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 Ounce) Box Chocolate Cake Mix
  • 3 Each Large Eggs
  • ½ Cups Vegetable Oil
  • 1-¼ Cups Water
  • 1 (16 Ounce) Container Chocolate Frosting
  • 30 Each Oreo Cookies icing removed, crushed
  • 12 Each Oval Cookies halved
  • 1 (8.8 Ounce) Package White Fondant Icing
  • 2 Drops Black Food Color
  • 4 Drops Green Food Color
  • 1 Each Black Food Marker
  • 1 Each Red Food Marker
  • 24 Each Candy Eyes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and in a mixing bowl mix the cake mix per box instructions.
    1 (15 Ounce) Box Chocolate Cake Mix, 3 Each Large Eggs, ½ Cups Vegetable Oil, 1-¼ Cups Water
  • Divide the cake batter evenly, about 3 tablespoons each cupcake, into a cupcake tray with cupcake liners. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow to cool.
  • Add the oreo cookies (without icing) to a resealable bag and crush with a rolling pin.
    30 Each Oreo Cookies
  • Spread chocolate frosting onto each cupcake.
    1 (16 Ounce) Container Chocolate Frosting
  • Break each oval cookie in half (or use a knife) and write RIP on each cookie half.
    12 Each Oval Cookies, 1 Each Black Food Marker
  • Push each cookie into the back of a cupcake leaving space in front to lay out the zombie. Sprinkle crushed Oreos to represent the soil being disturbed.
  • Take the fondant and split into two. Add a few drops of green onto one and a few drops of black onto the other. We need a good color for grass and a nice pale grey for the zombie.
    1 (8.8 Ounce) Package White Fondant Icing, 2 Drops Black Food Color, 4 Drops Green Food Color
  • Start shaping the grass and the zombie like you're using play-doh. Press two candy eyes into each zombie head then use the red marker to make some blood and the black marker to add a little detail.
    24 Each Candy Eyes, 1 Each Red Food Marker

Notes

You'll want to wear gloves when working with the food dye as you'll have funny colored hands at the end.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 131mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g

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Filed Under: Cake Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Snack Recipes

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  1. Mandy knight says

    August 11, 2022 at 11:15 am

    This recipe was a winner in my household. My 4 kids lived them. They taste delicious. Definitely will be following for more family fun recipes.

    Reply
    • Melanie Cagle says

      August 11, 2022 at 10:41 pm

      Thanks Mandy, glad y'all liked them x

      Reply

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