Name: Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15.25 ounce) box Devil’s Food cake mix; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil; Black food coloring (optional); 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-3 tablespoons milk; Green food coloring; Round green sprinkles; Halloween sprinkles; Candy eyeballs; Pretzel sticks

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a bewitching treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, these Cauldron Cookie Cups will steal the show at any Halloween party or cozy gathering. Imagine bite-sized cookie cups baked from rich Devil’s Food cake mix, filled with luscious, vibrantly green buttercream that looks like a bubbling potion. Topped with spooky sprinkles, candy eyeballs, and pretzel stick stirrers, these whimsical little cauldrons not only look magical but also deliver a delightful mix of textures and flavors that everyone will love. Let’s dive into how to conjure up these sweet delights!

Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best parts about baking Cauldron Cookie Cups is how straightforward the ingredient list is. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in balancing flavor, texture, and that eye-catching spooky look that makes the cookie cups so irresistible.

Devil’s Food cake mix: Provides a rich chocolate base with ease, cutting down prep time without sacrificing flavor.
Large eggs: Adds moisture and structure for perfectly tender cookie cups.
Canola or vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies soft and moist while adding richness.
Black food coloring (optional): Perfect for deepening the chocolate tone to a dark, cauldron-like black.
Unsalted butter (softened): The key to a creamy, luscious buttercream filling.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the buttercream to pipeable perfection.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the buttercream with a warm, comforting flavor.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
Milk: Adjusts the buttercream’s texture for smooth piping.
Green food coloring: Gives the filling that signature bubbling potion appearance.
Round green sprinkles: Adds texture and playful color to mimic magical bubbles.
Halloween sprinkles: Boosts festive vibes with spooky shapes.
Candy eyeballs: Introduces fun and a little bit of friendly creepiness.
Pretzel sticks: Serve as quirky stir sticks to complete the cauldron look.

How to Make Cauldron Cookie Cups

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Cookie Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and preparing three 12-count mini muffin pans with a light greasing to prevent sticking. Then, in a large bowl, mix the Devil’s Food cake mix, eggs, oil, and black food coloring until the dough is smooth and uniform. This base is what gives your cauldrons that irresistible chocolatey depth and a touch of spookiness with the black tint.

Step 2: Shape the Cookie Cups

Scoop about half a tablespoon of dough onto each mini muffin cavity, then flatten the dough gently with your fingers. The key here is to create a sturdy but tender cookie base that will hold its shape while baking and form a perfect little cup for the luscious filling.

Step 3: Bake and Create Cup Indentations

Bake the cookie dough for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain pliable. While still warm, immediately press an indentation into each cookie using the back of a tablespoon to form the cup shape. This warm pressing lets you mold the cauldrons easily before they cool and harden.

Step 4: Make the Buttercream Filling

While the cookie cups cool completely, whip up your magical buttercream. Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue mixing until smooth. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until the frosting is pipeable. Finally, blend in green food coloring to reach a vibrant, bubbling potion shade.

Step 5: Fill and Decorate the Cookie Cups

Using a piping bag or a sturdy plastic bag with a corner snipped off, fill each cooled cookie cup with the green buttercream. This is the fun part where your cauldrons come alive! Top with green sprinkles, candy eyeballs, and Halloween sprinkles. Break the pretzel sticks in half and plunge one into each cup to create a whimsical stir stick, making the finished Cauldron Cookie Cups look like enchanted potions ready to cast a sweet spell.

How to Serve Cauldron Cookie Cups

Garnishes

Enhancing your Cauldron Cookie Cups with playful garnishes takes them to the next level. The green sprinkles create the illusion of bubbling potion foam, while candy eyeballs add an adorably spooky effect. Halloween-themed sprinkles bring festive color and fun shapes, turning these treats into a true centerpiece. The pretzel stir sticks not only complete the look but add a satisfying crunch for texture contrast.

Side Dishes

While these cookie cups shine on their own, pairing them with a warm drink like hot chocolate or spiced apple cider makes for a cozy treat combo perfect for chilly autumn nights. A simple bowl of fresh fruit or a small selection of spooky-themed candies can also round out the snack table without stealing the spotlight.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving your Cauldron Cookie Cups can be as creative as baking them. Arrange them on a black serving tray lined with purple or orange tissue paper for a striking contrast. Use a rustic wooden board with scatterings of candy bones and edible glitter to create an “enchanted forest” vibe. For a party, present them around a faux cauldron centerpiece with dry ice or battery-operated candles for that smoky, mystical atmosphere everyone will remember.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Cauldron Cookie Cups can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Keep them away from heat to prevent the buttercream from melting. Placing wax paper between layers will help to avoid sticking and preserve their charming details.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these magical treats later, freeze the cookie cups before adding the filling. Once baked and fully cooled, freeze them in a single layer on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze the buttercream separately if possible. Thaw both completely before assembling for best texture and appearance.

Reheating

Since these are delicate treats with buttercream filling, it’s best not to reheat them in the microwave, as the frosting can melt and lose shape. If you prefer a softer cookie, allow them to come to room temperature naturally. For that freshly baked warmth, bake a fresh batch quickly instead!

FAQs

Can I make Cauldron Cookie Cups without cake mix?

Absolutely! If you prefer to bake from scratch, a rich chocolate cookie dough works great. Just ensure it’s firm enough to hold the cup shape as you bake and press the indentations. The cake mix just offers convenience and consistent results.

What can I use instead of black food coloring?

If you don’t have black food coloring, you can omit it entirely or use a few drops of gel-based dark purple or deep blue. Sometimes the natural color of the Devil’s Food cake mix is dark enough for a spooky vibe.

How do I make sure the cookie cups don’t stick to the muffin pan?

Lightly greasing your mini muffin pans is crucial. You can also use non-stick baking spray with flour or line with mini silicone muffin liners for easy removal without ruining the shape.

Can I change the color of the buttercream filling?

Definitely! While green is perfect for the bubbling potion effect, you can have fun with purple, orange, or even glow-in-the-dark edible colors for different themes or seasons.

Are Cauldron Cookie Cups suitable for kids to help make?

Yes! Kids will love shaping the cookie cups and decorating them with sprinkles and candy eyeballs. Just be careful with the oven steps, which should be handled by an adult. It’s a fantastic interactive baking project.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly special about baking Cauldron Cookie Cups that combines creativity, festive spirit, and irresistible flavor all in one delightful bite. Whether you’re making them for a seasonal party or just a fun weekend treat, these enchanting little treats never fail to bring smiles and oohs of delight. So grab your apron, summon your inner witch or wizard, and give these magical cauldrons a try—you won’t regret it!

Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 26 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 36 mini cookie cups 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Create spooky and delicious Cauldron Cookie Cups perfect for Halloween parties. These chocolate cookie cups are filled with vibrant green buttercream frosting and decorated with festive candy eyes, sprinkles, and pretzel stick stirrers to resemble bubbling potion cauldrons.

Instructions

Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease three 12-count mini muffin pans to prevent sticking.
Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix, eggs, canola oil, and black food coloring (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the dough is uniform in color.
Shape the cookie cups: Scoop about 1/2 tablespoon of the dough and place it into the prepared mini muffin pans. Use your fingers to flatten the dough slightly, shaping it evenly in each cup.
Bake and form indentations: Bake the dough for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. As soon as they come out of the oven, gently press an indentation into each warm cookie using the back of a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon. Set aside to cool completely in the pans.
Prepare the buttercream: While the cookie cups cool, beat softened butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating thoroughly after each addition until smooth. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is pipeable. Mix in green food coloring until you reach the desired shade of green.
Fill the cookie cups: Once the cookie cups are completely cooled, pipe the green buttercream into each indentation to resemble a bubbling potion inside the cauldrons.
Decorate: Sprinkle the tops with round green sprinkles, Halloween-themed sprinkles, and candy eyeballs to create a spooky effect. Break pretzel sticks in half and insert one into each cookie cup to act as a stir stick.
Serve and enjoy: Present your cauldron cookie cups at your party and enjoy these festive, gooey treats with friends and family!

Notes

You can omit the black food coloring if you prefer a traditional chocolate cookie color.
If the buttercream is too thick, add a little more milk to achieve a smooth, pipeable consistency.
Use mini pretzel sticks to keep the scale appropriate for the cookie cups.
Store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
For a dairy-free version, substitute vegan butter and powdered sugar alternatives.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American