Name: Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 28 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 (broken in half)

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 59 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a spooky and sweet delight that will wow your Halloween guests, the Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe is exactly what you need. These bite-sized treats combine rich, chocolatey cookie cups filled with vibrant green buttercream, creating a magical potion look that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Each bite bursts with festive flavor and playful texture, making these cauldrons the ultimate party centerpiece or a charming treat to share with friends and family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four steps of making small chocolate cups filled with light green frosting. In the first step, a white bowl has a mix of white powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla. The second step shows the same bowl now filled with smooth, light green frosting. The third step shows the light green frosting being squeezed from a piping bag into small dark brown chocolate cups, arranged on a baking tray. In the last step, one chocolate cup is decorated with round green and white candies, a small white candy in the center, and a short pretzel stick standing up. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering simple but essential ingredients is the first step to crafting these enchanting Cauldron Cookie Cups. Each element plays a crucial role, from the deep chocolate of the cake mix that forms the sturdy cup to the creamy, colorful buttercream filling that mimics bubbling potion magic.

Devil’s Food cake mix: Provides the rich chocolate base that’s soft yet sturdy enough to hold the filling.
Large eggs: Help bind the cookie dough for a perfect texture.
Canola or vegetable oil: Keeps the cookie cups moist without adding flavor that competes.
Black food coloring (optional): Deepens the chocolate tone for an extra spooky effect.
Unsalted butter (softened): The base for the luscious buttercream filling.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the buttercream smoothly.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and balance to the frosting.
Salt: Enhances flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
Milk: Adjusts buttercream consistency for perfect piping.
Green food coloring: Transforms the frosting into a vibrant, bubbling cauldron potion.
Round green sprinkles: Adds texture and gives the frosting a frothy, magical look.
Halloween sprinkles: Brings festive colors and fun shapes to the top.
Candy eyeballs: Adds a creepy, playful character to each cauldron.
Pretzel sticks: Serve as whimsical stir sticks to complete the illusion.

How to Make Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pans

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly greasing three 12-count mini muffin pans. This setup ensures your cookie cups will bake evenly and release easily without sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix, eggs, canola oil, and a touch of black food coloring if you want that striking dark color for your cauldrons. Mix everything thoroughly until you get a smooth dough that’s rich and ready to shape.

Step 3: Shape the Cookie Cups

Scoop out about 1/2 tablespoon of dough for each cup and place it into your mini muffin pans. Use your fingers to gently flatten the dough so it spreads evenly, preparing a perfect cup shape that will hold the filling beautifully.

Step 4: Bake and Create Indentations

Bake the cookie cups for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges look set and firm. While they are still warm, use the back of a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon to press a small depression into each cookie gently. This indentation forms the “cauldron” cavity ready for your bubbling filling. Let them cool completely before filling.

Step 5: Whip Up the Green Buttercream

While the cookie cups cool, it’s time for the magical green buttercream. Beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add milk a little at a time until the consistency is smooth and pipeable. Finish by blending in green food coloring until you reach your desired spooky green shade perfect for a bubbling brew.

Step 6: Fill the Cookie Cauldrons

Pipe the luscious green buttercream into each cooled cookie cup, filling them generously to mimic a bubbling potion effect that’s simply irresistible.

Step 7: Add Decorations

Finally, decorate each buttercream-filled cup with round green sprinkles, playful candy eyeballs, and colorful Halloween sprinkles. For the finishing touch, break pretzel sticks in half and insert them as stir sticks, giving your cauldrons an authentic wizardly vibe.

How to Serve Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe

The image shows several small dark brown chocolate tart cups as the bottom layer, each filled with a bright green creamy frosting on top. The frosting is decorated with small white candy shapes including skulls and eyeballs, as well as some round green and white sprinkles scattered throughout. Each tart has a light tan pretzel stick standing upright in the frosting near the center. The tarts are placed on a white marbled surface with a blurry green drink and a black and white bottle in the background. A woman's hand wearing a black glove is partially visible in the lower right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Add some extra flair by choosing spooky-sized edible glitter or additional candy eyeballs for an eye-popping display that will delight guests of all ages.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a glass of cold milk, a rich hot chocolate, or a tangy fruit punch to balance the sweetness and enhance the festive fun of these cauldron cookie cups.

Creative Ways to Present

Place the Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe treats on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by dry ice for a smoky effect or nestle them in a bowl filled with autumn leaves for a captivating Halloween table centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled and decorated, store your cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days, perfect for enjoying through the Halloween festivities.

Freezing

If you want to prepare them in advance, freeze the baked cookie cups without filling. When ready, thaw and then fill and decorate to keep textures fresh and vibrant.

Reheating

Because these treats shine best at room temperature, avoid reheating filled cookie cups. If frozen dough is used, warm just enough to let the buttercream pipe well and then chill accordingly.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix other than Devil’s Food?

Yes! While Devil’s Food cake mix gives a rich chocolate flavor fitting for cauldrons, you can experiment with other flavors like chocolate fudge or even pumpkin for a twist, but be mindful that texture and color might vary.

Is it necessary to use black food coloring in the cookie dough?

Not at all. Black food coloring is optional — it simply enhances the dark, spooky look of the cauldron cups. The cake mix alone already has a deep chocolate color.

How do I get the perfect consistency for the buttercream?

Beat your butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar gradually. Use milk sparingly to adjust thickness—too much milk can make it too runny, so add just until you can pipe smoothly.

Can I substitute pretzel sticks with something else?

Definitely! If pretzels aren’t your thing, try chocolate sticks, candy canes cut in half, or even edible licorice ropes to create your stirring sticks.

What if I don’t have mini muffin pans? Can I use regular muffin pans?

Regular muffin pans may not work well since the cookie cups require a small, shallow shape. Mini muffin pans are best to achieve the ideal cauldron size and structure.

Final Thoughts

These Cauldron Cookie Cups are such a delightful way to channel your Halloween spirit into something delicious and creative. Whether you’re entertaining kids or just in the mood for a festive treat, this recipe brings a little magic and a lot of fun to your kitchen. I can’t wait for you to try the Cauldron Cookie Cups Recipe and watch how everyone lights up when they see these charming, edible potions come to life!