Halloween Poke Cake Cupcakes

Amethyst · September 30, 2025, 12:36am

Halloween Poke Cake Cupcakes

Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

Cupcakes
1 box white cake mix plus required additional ingredients per box mix instructions
3 3-ounce packages of orange gelatin
1 cup boiling water
Buttercream frosting
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons orange gelatin powder
4 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Orange food coloring is optional
Decorations
Halloween sprinkles
Candy eyes

Directions:

Making the cupcakes:

Prepare the cake mix according to package instructions and bake as 24 cupcakes.

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely, then use a straw or skewer to poke holes in each cupcake.

Heat 1 cup of water in a saucepan until boiling. Remove the pan from the heat and pour one 3-ounce package of orange Jell-O mix into the water.

Stir until the gelatin has dissolved, then allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Place the cupcakes in a large baking dish with space in between. Use a spoon to spoon the orange gelatin into the holes in the cupcakes.

NOTE: The holes will not appear filled.

Place the pan with the cupcakes in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour.

Making the frosting:

Prepare the frosting by beating together the softened butter and 3 tablespoons gelatin powder (from the second package) until combined.

Add the powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk and beat until smooth.

Add more milk, as needed, to thin the frosting.

For a brighter orange icing, add food coloring and blend until the desired color is reached.

Use a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip (we used a Wilton 1M piping tip) to pipe the icing on top of the cupcakes.

Decorate with sprinkles and candy eyes.

Notes:

Prep time includes making the cupcakes, frosting, adding the jello, and frosting the cupcakes.

Frosting will be a light orange (food coloring can be added) and will have a light flavor of orange, but will mainly taste like buttercream.

Variations:

Use store-bought frosting. For a time saver, use store-bought vanilla frosting, flavor with the gelatin mix and food coloring if desired. OR use purchased orange frosting.

Use a different color jelly. Purple (grape) or green (lime) would also be great Halloween flavors and colors.

Change the frosting color. Add food coloring to make green frosting, purple frosting, or even black frosting!

We like gel food coloring for the most vibrant colors. You can use just a touch of green food coloring or black food coloring for an intense frosting option!

Try cream cheese frosting. If you love a bit of tang, you’ll enjoy a cream cheese frosting recipe.

Sprinkle option. Use any Halloween mix or black sprinkles. Instead of sprinkles, gummy worms, gummy candies, or candy corn can be used.

Add vanilla extract. To make a vanilla buttercream, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract when making the frosting.

Pro Tips:

Place cupcakes in a baking dish with space in between when spooning on the jello

Hole size. If using a skewer, there will be lots of fine lines in the cupcakes. Using a straw or chopstick will make larger channels in jello. If using a straw or chopstick make fewer pokes in the cupcakes so it will keep its structure.

Do not pour the jello over the cupcakes. Spoon in over the holes.

Using a large scoop makes scooping the batter into the liners fast and less messy.

Piping bag tip. The easiest way to fill a piping bag is to place it tip down into a tall drinking glass. Fold the extra portion of the bag around the outside of the glass. Then spoon in the filling.

How to Store:

Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutritional Facts:

Recipe courtesy of Boulder Locavore.com