Scary Good Monster Eye Cupcakes
Craving something fun, festive, and surprisingly simple in the kitchen? Whether you’re hustling through after-school routines or squeezing in baking time before bedtime, monster eye cupcakes are here to keep things stress-free.
With bright lime cake layers, orange frosting, and candy monster eyes, this treat brings smiles with minimal fuss. These eyeball cupcakes are super easy for busy moms who want quick & easy desserts without sacrificing fun or flavor! Be sure to check out my other cupcake recipes for more dessert goods!
Whether you’re baking for a birthday bash, a school party, or just a Friday treat, these monster-cupcake creations deliver every time.
Ready to get your hands a little colorful? Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive in!
Why You’ll Love Monster Eye Cupcakes
You’re going to adore this monster-cupcake dessert for lots of reasons. First off, they’re super easy to make—using a boxed white cake mix means less measuring, fewer mistakes, and less cleanup. The lime jello swirl and orange-frosting twist add a fun spin that both kids and adults will enjoy.
They’re also family-friendly and are fun to make together in the kitchen! And finally, they’re versatile—you can switch up the candy eyes, change the gel color, or add sprinkles to suit your theme!
Ingredients for Monster Eye Cupcakes
I love using simple ingredients to make these fun treats! Easy recipes that deliver results every time!
The boxed white cake mix gives you a simple base, and the lime Jell-O adds a bright green surprise layer and a zesty flavor twist.
The orange jello gives the frosting its fun color, and the candy monster eyes bring spooky fun for kids!
Want exact measurements and a printable version of the recipe? Scroll down to the recipe card below for all the details you need to get started!
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Instructions to Make Monster Eye Cupcakes
Roll up those sleeves—you’re about to transform simple ingredients into monster-eye magic.
Lime Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with liners. (Use fun Halloween ones for festiveness!)
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and the other ingredients listed on the back of the cake mix box to make cupcakes.
- Divide the batter evenly between two bowls. Add the lime jello to one of the bowls and mix well so you’ll have one green batter and one plain white batter.
- Pour a little bit of the green batter into the bottom of the cupcake liner, then add some white on top. Alternate until the liners are 3/4 full.
- Put the pan in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
This is just the start of the recipe—make sure to scroll to the bottom for all the details on how to make the frosting and create the final monster look!
Making a Dessert in 30 Minutes? Tips and Tricks
- Prep ahead: Mix the batter while the oven preheats, and have your cupcake liners ready.
- Use a stand mixer if you have one—it saves effort and gives a smoother batter and frosting.
- Pipe the frosting right after mixing; it holds best that way. If it sits too long, it may get too hard.
- Want a flavor twist? Substitute lime jello with key lime or lemon jello for a citrus variation.
Troubleshooting Monster Eye Cupcakes
- If layering is messy or the swirls don’t show: Alternate batter carefully, taking a small scoop each time for a better layering effect.
- If the cupcakes collapse in the middle or are undercooked: Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 350 °F and don’t open the oven door during baking. Also, don’t overfill the cupcake liners.
- If the frosting is too runny: Add a bit more powdered sugar and chill the bowl/frosting for 10 minutes, then remix.
- If the frosting color fades or is dull: Use gel food coloring (not liquid) for intense color, and add your candy monster eyes just before serving so they stay bright.
Recommended Resources
Make sure you have the right tools at hand to create this Monster Eye Cupcake recipe with ease! Here are my top picks for preparing and serving this fun dessert:
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- Piping Bag Kit with Star Tip
- Mixing Bowl Set
- Cupcake Baking Pan
Customizing this Dessert Recipe for Every Diet
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free white cake mix and ensure all ingredients (including jello, frosting mixes, candy monster eyes) are certified gluten-free.
- Vegetarian: This recipe is already vegetarian-friendly, but double-check that your candy eyes contain no gelatin or animal-based ingredients.
- Lower Sugar: Use light or sugar-free jello mixes and reduce powdered sugar slightly in the frosting (though texture may vary).
- Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with a dairy-free margarine or plant-based butter alternative and use a non-dairy creamer instead of vanilla coffee creamer.
Making a Meal Out of Monster Eye Cupcakes
Sure, cupcakes are dessert—but why not turn them into a full party spread or a themed fun night? Pair your monster-eye cupcakes with:
- Spooky Charcuterie Board Recipe
- Witches Brew Mocktail Recipe
- 25+ Halloween Freakshakes Too Spooky Not to See
Shop My Printables
These printables are great for meal planning and organizing! Simply click the image to check out my shop products!
Recipes with White Cake Mix
Want to put that boxed white cake mix to even more use? Here are some additional recipe ideas you’ll love:
FAQs about Monster Eye Cupcakes
Monster Eye Cupcakes Storage and Reheating Tips
To keep your monster-cupcake creations looking their best:
- Storing: Place cupcakes in a single layer (frosting side up) in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge to keep the frosting firm.
- Reheating/Serving: If refrigerated, let the cupcakes sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving to bring out the full flavor.
- Leftover uses: If you have leftover frosting, use it to dip pretzels or fruit slices for monster-eyed dessert dippers. Crumble leftover cupcake bottoms and use as layered parfait bases with whipped cream and fruit.
Scary Good Monster Eye Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix you could use any flavor if you want
- ingredients listed on the cake mix box to make cupcakes this will vary by brand
- 1 box lime jello
Frosting Ingredients:
- 2 cups butter
- 3 Tbsp coffee creamer vanilla flavor
- 1 box orange jello
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- candy monster eyeballs
- orange gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line a cupcake pan with liners. (use fun Halloween ones for festiveness!)
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, and the ingredients listed on the cake mix box to make the cupcakes. (this will vary by brand)
- Divide the batter evenly between two bowls. Add the lime jello to one of the bowls and mix well so you’ll have one green batter and one plain white batter.
- Pour a little bit of the green batter into the bottom of the cupcake liner, then add some white on top. Alternate until the liners are 3/4 full.
- Put the pan in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Once the cupcakes are done baking, you can start on making the frosting.
- Cream the salted butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the orange jello one cup at a time to the creamed butter, mixing slowly. Then add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until peaks hold once formed.
- Add up to 3 tablespoons of vanilla coffee creamer (between adding cups of powdered sugar) to add more flavor. You get to choose how much you want to add.
- Squeeze up to 3 drops of orange gel food coloring and stir. The more you add, the brighter the orange color.
- Put the orange frosting into a piping bag with a star tip. Once the cupcakes are cooled to the touch, pipe the frosting on top of each one.
- Add candy monster eye (or as many as you want!) on top of the orange frosting. Press them down lightly to make sure that they stay in place.
Nutrition
More Recipes Like Monster Eye Cupcakes
Looking for more fun dessert ideas in the quick & easy, 30-minute-or-less category? Here are a few favorites to explore:
These Monster Eye Cupcakes are proof that a fun and festive treat doesn’t have to take all day. I hope your family loves them and that they become a go-to option when you’re short on time but still want to make something memorable.
If you try them out, drop a comment and let me know how you customized them (did you add two eyes instead of one? Change colors?).
Don’t forget to save this recipe, share it with friends who need quick dessert inspo, and explore more easy family-friendly recipes while you’re here!
