Owl Cupcakes

These Owl Cupcakes are the cutest way to celebrate fall. Perfect for classroom parties, neighbor gifts, Thanksgiving desserts, and more.

Are you looking for a fun cupcake recipe that is perfect for a kids’ party or classroom treat? These owl cupcakes are sure to please everyone!

They are easy to make and the kids will love them! Plus, they are so adorable! Enjoy!

Owls somehow just signify fall. Not sure what it is – but you see owl-themed things everywhere this time of year. Cute owl-themed cupcakes have been around for a very long time and are perfect for the season.

My friend created her version here for me – twisting on the already popular treat. I have to say, they are so adorable and simple to make.

They make great gifts and are perfect for all your seasonal parties.

owl cake ideas

Here are some commonly asked questions

Can these be made with a box mix?

Sure! A box cake mix works well for these cupcakes. Not only does it make the whole process so quick and easy, but the box mixes are pretty tasty. You can use a regular white or vanilla box cake mix and stir in the crushed cookies.

OR – I do have this super delicious homemade chocolate cupcake recipe that I really encourage you to try. They are moist and fluffy and oh so delicious! These cupcakes would be great with a chocolate cupcake base.

What is the best way to store leftover owl cupcakes?

As with all cupcakes, the most important thing is to keep them in an airtight container. Now – because of the frosting I recommend that the cupcakes be refrigerated.

Keep in mind that Oreo cookies tend to get a little soft when they are refrigerated. Also – M&M’s tend to bleed a bit when refrigerated.

So – bake and frost the cupcakes and then refrigerate them. Make the other components of the owl faces and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble right before serving.

The frosted cupcakes will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Ingredients for Owl Cupcakes

Cupcakes

• all-purpose flour
• baking powder
• salt
• unsalted butter at room temperature
• granulated sugar
• eggs room temperature
• vanilla extract
• milk
• Oreo cookies – coarsely chopped

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• confectioner’s sugar
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• salt
• unsalted butter at room temperature
• vanilla extract
• heavy cream

Owl Decorations

• Tootsie Roll midgees – for the ears
• chocolate chips – for the eyes
• mini Oreo cookies – for the eyes
• orange M&Ms – for the beak
• toasted coconut – for the breast

Why do cupcakes not rise?

The main reason why cupcakes do not rise is because of the ingredients.

When measuring the flour, make sure to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Do not pack the flour into the cup.

Also, check the expiration date on the leavening agent (baking powder or baking soda) to make sure it is still active.

Lastly, make sure your eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the batter. Room temperature eggs mix more easily and produce a lighter cupcake.

If you follow these tips, your cupcakes should rise beautifully!

owl cupcakes oreos

How to Make Oreo Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two muffin tins with baking cups. Spritz the baking cups with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 6 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. Mix in the eggs and vanilla, blending well.
5. Add the flour mixture a little at a time, alternating with the milk, until completely blended. Stir in the cookie crumbs.
6. Using a large scoop, fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full.
7. Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick in the center returns clean.
8. Place the muffin tins on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes prior to removing the cupcakes to cool completely.

What’s The Secret To Moist Cupcakes?

The key to moist, fluffy cupcakes is to create air bubbles in the batter that expand during baking. You’ll wind up with dense, heavy cupcakes if you overmix your batter. Always use a low speed when mixing and stop just before all of the components are combined.

Why are my cupcakes dry?

There are a few reasons why your cupcakes might be dry.

One possibility is that you overbaked them. To prevent this, insert a toothpick into the center of the cupcake. If it comes out clean, they’re done. If there’s batter on the toothpick, they need to bake for a few minutes longer.

Another reason for dry cupcakes is using old or expired ingredients. Make sure to check the expiration dates on your baking powder, baking soda, and eggs before using them.

Finally, make sure you’re not overmixing the batter. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to make moist and delicious cupcakes.

Can these be made without the cookies?

The cupcakes can be made without the crushed cookies mixed in. If you can find another type of cookie or ingredient that would be comparable for making the eyes – then you could omit the Oreos there too. If you come up with style-changes, I’d love to hear about them.

how to make an owl cake

How to Make Chocolate Frosting

1. Sift together the confectioner’s sugar and cocoa powder.
2. Stir in the salt and set aside.
3. Beat the butter on high for 3 to 5 minutes or until creamy and light in color.
4. Mix in the vanilla.
5. Beat in the sugar/cocoa mixture and whipping cream, beating on low until the sugar is incorporated and then switching to high speed and scraping down the sides as needed.

Storing leftover chocolate frosting

Chocolate frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to use it again, just let it come to room temperature and give it a good stir. It might be a little thicker than when you first made it, but it will still be delicious!

Making Owl Cupcakes

Decorating

• Transfer the icing into a decorating bag with a round tip and frost with a back-and-forth pattern across each cupcake.

To create the decorations

For the ears

1. Cut each Tootsie Roll midgee in half.
2. Roll and squeeze the candy to soften and shape it into an owl ear.

For the eyes

1. Twist the mini Oreos releasing one cookie so that the cream sticks on one side.
2. To the cream, press a chocolate chip against the white cream.

Chest

1. Arrange the coconut on the cupcakes in an inverted V-shape.

Assemble

1. At the top of the V, add an M&M and press one eye on each side of the M&M.
2. Then, press an ear under each eye.
3. To finish, allow the icing to set and lightly dot the icing with a fork.

Can leftover frosting be frozen?

You bet! If you have leftover frosting, place it in a zip-top bag, label it with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it again, thaw it in the refrigerator the night before. Then give it a good whip before piping or spreading on your dessert.

owl cupcakes with Oreos

DON’T MISS THESE HOLIDAY E-BOOKS!

---

Products I love when making owl cupcakes…

This cute cupcake recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made homemade treats like this before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love them. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this dessert recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)

• mixing bowls
• hand mixer
• mixer
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• cupcake pan
• cupcake liners
• piping bags
• piping tip

---

If you love this easy owl cupcake recipe, you’re going to love these other great fall treats too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

---

---

If you love this recipe for Homemade Owl Cupcakes as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

---

---

---