These owl cupcakes are a hoot! These little owls seem to bring joy wherever they go. I’ve made them for kid parties, for fun at the office and even just at home because they’re so dang cute. I almost feel bad for eating them! I wasn’t going to do a blog post on these little guys because they’re so simple, but they were SO loved on my Instagram, I had to give them a permanent spot on my blog. They're so easy and the perfect fall baking project, for kids and adults alike! Let's make them!
What baking tools are needed gluten free chocolate owl cupcakes?
Cupcake wrappers
Muffin Tin
Butter Knife
Hand Mixer
What is needed for double chocolate owl cupcakes?
Chocolate cake. For an easy option I like Simple Mills Chocolate Cake Mix, it’s so chocolately rich and it’s paleo. You can also use my gluten free chocolate cupcake in this recipe here (cake portion only), or my grain free and paleo chocolate cupcake recipe here.
Chocolate frosting: This is a paleo and vegan homemade chocolate frosting made with a chocolate bar! It’s easy and spreadable. It’s very rich so you don’t need a lot.
Gluten Free ‘Oreos’: There are a few on the market, I know Trader Joe’s are pretty delish. You can also make my gluten free/vegan Oreos here!
Candy coated chocolate pieces: I’ve used Reese’s Pieces, M&M’s, but I love Unreal chocolate gems as well for a healthy option.
Make the homemade vegan dark chocolate frosting!
Ingredients:
1 cup of chopped chocolate bar, I use Hu Kitchen for paleo. (Use 'GUTSYBAKER' for a discount off Hu Kitchen site wide!)
4 Tbsp non dairy milk, or any milk
4 Tbsp refined coconut oil, or non-dairy butter
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional to make it sweeter: 5 Tbsp unrefined powdered sugar (any granulated sweetener in a blender for 30 seconds) or confectionary powdered sugar
Make it:
In a saucepan, combine the chocolate chunks, butter or coconut oil, vanilla, milk, and salt. Whisk until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add in the unrefined powdered sugar. Mix until smooth.
Transfer mixture into a heat safe bowl, and let cool for 10-15 minutes. Next place bowl in the refrigerator for any time between 20-40 minutes, taking it out to stir every 5-7 minutes. This varies with the type of chocolate and milk you use. Keep checking and stirring until it reaches the perfect frosting texture. If it firms up too much in the fridge, you can reheat in small increments until it softens. Be careful not to overheat, though.
Now spread frosting on the cupcakes. For the owl cupcakes I just spread a thin layer. It is very rich so you probably do not want to use too much.
You can store this frosting in the refrigerator in airtight container and reheat in small increments until softened when you want to use again.
How to make and assemble gluten free Chocolate Owl Cupcakes:
1. Make the chocolate (or any flavor) cupcakes, make the chocolate cupcakes in my gluten free chocolate cupcake recipe (cake part only) or my paleo chocolate cupcake recipe used here. I also like Simple Mills boxed mix for these because it’s no fail, delicious, and paleo.
2. Once your cupcakes are cooled, make the vegan and paleo chocolate frosting, recipe is above. If you want to cut corners, Simple Mills Frosting is also delicious and clean.
3. Spread a layer of frosting over the cupcakes using a butter knife. I did not use too much as you want to make sure the frosting is flat and smooth, about 2 tsp per cupcake. Frost all of the cupcakes.
4. After cupcakes are frosted, create two little peaks of frosting on the top of each cupcake using the knife. Shape them into little points to make the ears for the owl. (video below)
5. Add the Oreo eyes. Carefully twist the Oreos in half (we all did this when we were young!) so the cream is just one on side of the cookie. Separate enough Oreos to make 2 eyeballs per cupcake. If you have 12 cupcakes, you will need 24 cream-sided Oreo cookie halves.
6. Press the Oreo halves into each cupcake lightly to make the eyes. I place about halfway on the cupcake. The frosting should still be wet, so you they should stick on.
7. Once all the eyes are placed, it’s time to make the eyeballs and nose. Separate chocolate coated candies by color. I used the brown candies for the eyeballs and orange or yellow for the nose (the beak)
8. Use the knife to spread a little bit of frosting on the backs of the candies for the eyes, and stick onto the Oreo pieces. I like to place them on the inners of the Oreos so the eyeballs are closer together. It gives them character.
9. Press the candies for the nose/beak vertically right between the bottom two Oreos to make the nose. Repeat until all candies are placed. You will see the owls come together and have personality!
Recipe Notes:
You can use any chocolate cake (or any cake) recipe for the cupcakes.
You can use any chocolate candies for the eyes and nose, I like to use Unreal chocolate gems because they are a cleaner version of M&M’s. You can also use any Oreo-type cookie you prefer. There are a few brands that are gluten free and organic. Trader Joe’s has a gluten free version.
Don’t worry about putting these together perfectly! You will find they will still be adorable and have lots of personality.
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