When I was a child, every day on the way from primary school I would stop off at the library. It was on the way home and I loved to pop in and make oogly eyes at the albino axolotl in the tank and borrow some books. I do like a book series-there is something comforting about seeing the same characters doing different things and I suppose that is why I enjoy television series so much more than I do movies at the moment many of which seem like either variations of popular movies, sequels or remakes.
When I was in primary school my favourite series about Dorrie the Little Witch by Patricia Coombs (that is before Sweet Valley High took over!). Dorrie was living the life that my small self wanted to have. She had her own transport (a broom) a cat called Gink and a whole lot more adventures than I experienced. She met goblins and ghosts and lived in a witch’s haunted mansion with her mother and “cook” … and how much did I want a live in cook to cook for me!
Sadly nothing much has changed. I still yearn to live in a haunted house, have an albino axolotl and have a cook cooking me up anything I might desire. In reality it is I who is the cook and I have my own mode of transport, a car rather than a broom and although I came very close to getting an albino axolotl I never did worrying that I travelled too much to look after it. But once a year I get to decorate our apartment to resemble a haunted house. So I thought what better way to decorate a cupcake than with a silhouette of a haunted house?
The idea of a silhouette cupcake came from Zilly Rosen’s Zombie Cupcakes book. Rather than using their design of a zombie rising (I gave it a go and realised quite quickly my limitations with drawing) I thought that perhaps a house might be easier-after all the more wonky and lopsided you make it the better and I could certainly do that!
These cupcakes are made using a dried blueberry muffin type of base that is very quick to put together and gives a nice rise to it. Why dried blueberries? To resemble mould of course! 
The best part about these cupcakes is that they are easy to do, a bit of sketching an outline and some brush strokes and you are done with the decorations. There’s no elaborate 3D shaping, magical trickery or bribing the fondant fairy involved. To style these, I wanted some autumn leaves to finish off the spooky scene but of course it is spring here so there are none to be found. But the lovely Faye Cahill had sent me some leaf shaped chocolates for Christmas and these completed the adornment of the haunted houses.
So tell me Dear Reader, what series of books did you or do you currently like? I’m liking the Sookie Stackhouse series. And do you prefer movies or television?
Haunted House Cupcakes
Blueberry cupcakes
Makes 11-12 cupcakes
- 1/2 cup milk, with a squeeze of lemon juice to curdle it
- 2 cups plain all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cornflour/cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup caster or superfine sugar
- 125g/4ozs butter, melted
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup dried blueberries or other dried berries
For ganache
- 300g/10 ozs white chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cream
For topping
- Yellow or orange fondant
- black edible ink pen (I use Kopykake ones)
- black colouring powder or gel (I used 2 tablespoons vodka with a Corella black colouring powder)
- small paintbrush
Making the batter
Scooped into cupcake liners-it only made 11!
And then baked!
1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F and line a tray with liners. Mix the flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl. In a jug mix the milk, butter, blueberries and eggs and whisk together. Then add these wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Scoop into the prepared liners and bake for 25-30 minutes until a skewer inserted inside comes out clean. Allow to cool.
2. Make ganache. Combine chocolate and cream in a small heatproof bowl; stir with metal spoon over pan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Cool in fridge for about 30 minutes until it reaches a spreading consistency and spread over cupcakes. Allow to set for about 10 minutes and then using a small palette knife dipped in a cup of cold water, tap the knife a little and then smooth over the ganache. This is to provide a smooth surface on which to place the coloured fondant.
3. To decorate, roll out the yellow orange coloured fondant and cut into circles large enough to cover the entire top of the cupcake to the edge of the paper (to keep the cake part covered and fresh). Adhere the fondant to the cupcake using a little water. Smooth it over with a rectangle of overhead plastic sheet and allow to set for as long as possible (fresh fondant is hard to draw on as it is very soft).
4. Now the best thing is to practice drawing haunted house silhouettes on paper first. Trust me, I free handed it once and it looked terrible. Once you have your designs ready trace them into the fondant with the edible pen and then fill them in with the black edible colouring and a small paintbrush. Draw bats, full or crescent moons, tombstones, cats, pumpkins and trees along with your houses!
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
97 Comments | Add your own
They look perfect Lorraine; like they came out of a Tim Burton movie.
You are sooo creative!
These look great! Very spooky indeed. I think I prefer the tv series over the books most of the time
you’re a talented cupcake mme nqn..
Wahou ! Great job ! They just look amazing ! I couldn’t eat them !
Wow, really great design. I haven’t read a book in years, I think the last one I read was about confessions of a former World Bank staff, spilling the beans. Not a story book…but a great story. I need to find some friends I think
I really admire this! Such detailed work!
LOVE THESE! How funny I just picked up that cupcake cookbook on Tuesday and I thought about you while I was reading it, it seemed like your kinda thing. I am back reading the 4th Sookie Stackhouse again, you know it where it all changed. I also have recently read the Anita Black Vampire Hunter series and Night Huntress(jeaniene frost)and Bortherhood of the Black Dagger.
So fun! Love your ideas =D
Too cute for words!
You are an artist…!!! The cupcakes look no so difficult to make, but the part in which we have to draw our design is not for me something, I do not have that skill.
Right now I’m reading Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, what can I say, I love James Fraser, but please, don’t tell my husband.
They are so cool… You are a great drawer
So cute! A work of art.
Cheers,
Rosa
oh my – you are one very talented lady!
These look fantastic Lorraine!
Definitely puts you in that spooky kind of mood
Very, very clever indeed Lorraine! You know that we readers all wait with baited breath for this time of year to see just what you are going to come up with for Halloween and you haven’t disappointed. I love, love, love your Haunted House Cupcakes, everything about them is just great.
I was the biggest book worm and in my Primary school years I would read voraciously, my adult years less so but if I get hooked on a book I find it impossible to put down. Enid Blyton’s “The Famous Five” took me on all sorts of adventures and instilled a love of reading in me which has flowed on to my youngest daughter. ( She read a novel in one day last week!)
I like both movies and TV but do enjoy the experience of the big screen, the ambience allows me to ‘lose’ myself in the plot.
Although I don’t go ‘Gaga’ over Halloween, it is a special time for myself and my husband, this year we celebrate our 29th year wedding anniversary!
Oh that fickle fondant fairy can be cruel, can’t she? I’m super impressed with your artistic efforts Lorraine, I like the fact that it’s OK to be wonky!
I always preferred book series too, and don’t think think much of the new crop of re-hashed story lines that are being dished up as movies lately
Hi lorraine, these look fabulous … You are so talented
I love reading your posts as well as the comments from your other readers but lately they’re frequently not visible … do you know why?
Thought about doing them for our Halloween Party which is actually now a Guy Fawkes Party on Nov 5th but I don’t have the patience that you have….they are great
Hello Lorraine they look wonderful where did you get the edible pen from ?
You are really talented at drawing Haunted Houses. OMG they look so cool.
These look spook-tacular! I really love the designs, very creative.
They look amazing!!!
These cupcakes look like a work of art!
WOW!!! What a great job!
You are the queen of spooky stuff, I love seeing what you come up with but I could never draw like that!
Well done!
Lovely! I wouldn’t dare eat such a perfect Holloween themed cupcake. These would make perfect gifts gifts
They look fantastic!
Wow your so artistic!! These look so good
“Easy to do”? Perhaps for you, you super star incredible woman of incredibleness! For me, with my tendency towards stick-figures and tantrums whenever I try anything more complicatedly artsy… not so much
I *love* these! Halloween-y in a kind of classic way but also really unique and modern. If that makes sense.
Mostly I like them because I keep expecting Jake Skellington to appear
I am a Halloween fanatic too (transplanted Yank:), and I look forward to your Halloween recipes every October- love it!!
You truly are an artist, Madam
! These do look beautifully quirky and I love the colours!! Books above anything filmed for me any day !!! Still read about 3-5 volumes per week + all my study tomes 
! Loved the ‘Anne of Green Gables’ series as a child. Now it’s authors, rather than series. For v light reading love forensic medicine, so anything by Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell, Jeffery Deavers et al is late nighttime voracious absorption!! TV: more political & economic offerings and panel shows like “Insight’ and ‘Q&A’ . . .
You make it look so easy. Looks great. Very clever idea!
Nice! Can we see a pic of you in your dracula fangs again?
I looovvveee your cupcakes, they are super brilliant – Are you selling these? Honestly, I would buy them off you, they’re cool. Like you, I love Halloween and all things Halloweeny but sadly, I don’t know anyone that shares my enthusiasm enough to do a party. I always had my head hidden behind books and as a child I loved libraries, still do. Now though, I love places more like the big Dymocks at the Broadway shopping centre because there you can talk and have a tea or coffee plus dessert!!! I especially loved Meg and Mog. I too wanted to have a broom but mainly the cauldron to whip up some amazing meals. I love TV and films and yes, films are pretty crap these days and the really good TV shows are hard to find. I recently loved the aussie series “Twenty Something”, so so so funny.
If only i could draw! My friend did have an albino axolotl i used to love going over to her house after school and watching it. Very strange creatures.
These are brilliant Lorraine, so cute! VERY Tim Burtonesque, they look like scenes from A Nightmare Before Christmas (one of my all time favourite films by the way!)
So cool – though you must have the patience of a saint to do this.
You know what is crazy? My favourite thing about Halloween is YOUR BLOG lol! I always look forward to your halloween posts EVERY YEAR!
You did a great job on these. You definitely have a gift to make things look like this. I love your story about books that you got from the library. I got hooked on series also. So much more fun than reading history books or what school wanted you to read.
Fantastic decoration Lorraine. They look awesomely spooky!
I was a Sweet Valley High kind of girl too! I knew there was a reason I like you so much
What delightfully haunting cupcakes these are, TRUE!
REALLY enjoyed “spookily” to view!
Halloween is about enjoying scary and fun!
Thanks for the helpful hints and tips and how these were done!
You really should open a bakery some day! I swear, your cupcakes and cakes just have the most amazing decorations to them. It’s a gift. Truly!
They are fantastic! I never would have thought they were easy to do. I’m jealous of how perfectly your muffins turned out too. It’s still hit and miss when I make them. I’ve had many overflows.
I loved Goosebumps when I was younger and loved (actually just re-read) the Tomorrow When the War Began series.
Recently I’ve read The Hunger Games. I think you’d like them Lorraine! The back sounds terrible but just like Twilight you have to just get started.
Oh my, they look fantastic.
Lorraine, I admit, I love television when the characters are good or quirky. I’m a Monk addict, and I’ll watch the reruns over and over. I need a book series though, so I should check out what you’re reading.
Love the cupcakes. You make it look so easy. After hearing you talk about Mad Men so often, I watched all four seasons over the summer. Can’t wait for season five! xoxo Mum
I don’t think your drawings are limited at all – they’re much more than I could ever manage. Well done!
I absolutely love your cupcakes! They just might be my favorite this Halloween:) They’re perfectly stunning, Lorraine! Thanks for the tips and tutorial too.
What a neat idea, Lorraine! They look gorgeous
Have you seen Studio Ghibli’s “Kiki’s Delivery Service”? If you haven’t, well then you should. I’m sure Kiki could relate with your car parking jitters.
Other than that, impressive as always, Lorraine!
I’ve never really been a Halloween fan, but I can never say no to blueberry muffins and my sister could do a jim-dandy job on the decor!
As for books, I’m currently into Marsha Mehran’s Aminpour sisters novels (Pomegranate Soup and Rosewater and Soda Bread) and I’m more of a telly person than a cinema person.
These are awesome! I work at a book publisher so constantly have about five reads on the go…but I love movies too – just not spooky ones around Halloween, I get too scared!
they are amazing. Bowing to you.
Wow so much detail!
I’m really speechless here. Your Halloween theme cupcakes are the best one I’ve found so far and I’m in love with them! I don’t have quite skills to make something like this but totally enjoy looking at them Lorraine!!
Love these! Great for Halloween without being too gory!
My goodness you are more talented than I when it comes to decorating cakes! I wouldn’t know where to begin…
Oh and I was an enormous Sweet Valley High fan too
Amazing cupcake artwork and great photos as always!
Just say : lovely . Very clever and fun idea
Too creepy to eat, gorgeous to look at though! Happy Halloween!
as soon as cupcakes are in your title i know i’m going to be impressed, incredible – just whip some up for the trick or treaters
truly spooky, they almost glow like full harvest moons! loved the blood splattered table cover in the photo of your pencil sketches, lovely touch!
I generally prefer tv series too, my fave atm is Modern Family. Book series – I used to live & breathe the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton & I loved the magic faraway tree/enchanted forrest series too. I may have read them again a few years ago
You’re so talanted, Lorraine! They are both adorable and scary at the same time.
x
these look amazing – I am sort of intrigued by haunted houses but am interested in what sort of ghost you would like in yours – have you ever watched hammer horror movies – I am sure they would be your sort of camp horror!
I was surprised to hear you say you can’t draw when you make so many fantastic creations – gives us all hope!
You are fantastically creative. Wonderful post!
Wow, wow, and wow. You’re amazing. I love this idea and I will just have to find the time to make them too. Thank you for sharing your talent. Keep going!
You made the cupcakes look so creepy! Very nice. I loved the decoration idea!
Lorraine, you are always so creative with your Halloween treats! I love these moldy treats!
Those are a true work of art, adorable! Can’t show them to my daughter because I am already stuck at the fondant…
These are perfect cupcakes, Lorraine. WHy is it that we all love Halloween so? Everything about it is fun. You did an amazing job…
Your haunted houses look spectacular! The blueberry ‘mold’ is genius. I have to remember that. When I was little, I used to read Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown. I don’t think I’ve read a series of books in ages.
I am currently LOVING the Missing Series by Meg Cabot (I finish one book in half a day). I LOVE these cupcakes as well. Yum!
I thought I had commented really early yesterday morning on iPhone before walking into the office, but it seems it did not upload
Anyways, what I said was, these look completely amazing. You really are a talented individual, as everyone else has said. Like everyone else, I too now look forward to your Halloween creations. Very clever and you must have a lot of patience too.
I far prefer movies. I adored Matilda and The Witches when I was young – Roald Dahl
& I always wanted to live in the house from Hocus Pocus (the movie) – I LOVED that. I always wanted to go back to old Salem times hehe. These cupcakes are fantastic, lady!
Heidi xo
LOL I loooved Sweet Valley High. I dont get the shows that kids today watch. Theyre very different to what we had.
love it!
Your artwork on these is perfect
These cupcakes are so perfect for Halloween that I had to post a link on my vampire blog site.
I so enjoy NQN for the great recipes and gorgeous photos!
Ohhhhhh your so talented.
These little beauties are fantastic. I am working on some freaky Halloween themed food at the moment. So fun.
I am a reader, but find I watch the TV far more often. Love a good series. Not reading any series at the moment. Great little cupcake NQN. Very inspiring.
Oh my God Lorraine these cupcakes are AWESOME!!!! I love that silhoutte effect!
Ooh Lorraine, these are so cute (you’ve done them SO well). And I had my nose forever buried in a book as a child (nothing much has changed there). My absolute favourites where anything about faires and withces and enchanted kingdoms (the Wishing Chair and Enchanted Wood series by Enid Blyton were read at least a 100 times!).
Can’t wait to see your annual Halloween extravaganza post!
Briony xx
Wow! These are gorgeous!!!! I LOVE IT when one creative act leads to a new but related creative act. I tell people the book is full of great techniques that can be adapted even if you don’t like Zombies, and you’ve proven it! I’m so proud!!! Will re-post to my Facebook page now!!!
Best, Zilly
Hi Zilly! Thanks so much for stopping by. I love my Zombie cupcakes book and have done another cupcake this Halloween from it! Thanks for such a brilliant cupcake book-as soon as I saw it, I had to buy it!
These are just delightful. Roll on halloween, I know you love it!
What fabulous cakes the spooky houses look great. A definite must make for Halloween. GG
1. Totally addicted to True Blood at the moment, and loving little miss Sookie Stackhouse!
2. You are quite the artist – they look stunning!
Every year I look forward to your Halloween posts, you get better and better each year!
Loving the simple yet effective design of these cupcakes.
this is really random but love the black nails – they go so well with your black haunted house ;p I used to love the Sabrina the teenage witch (movie and book) series and your design totally brings me back to that era in my life!
Wow I never even knew edible pens existed!! I love your designs ^^ hehe Sweet valley high <3
These are fantastic. I absolutely love them and the “mold” idea is so over the top.
What a fantastic party, the decorations and food are amazing, love the watermelon but have to say my stomach felt rather queasy looking at the blood pancakes
! Favourite holiday is Christmas, time off from work and presents, what more could I ask for.
great cupcakes, and thanks for the book suggestions–i haven’t found a good read in quite some time!
Just amazing work! I love the haunted house and the wonderful detail. So talented!
These cupcakes are pretty cool!! Found your blog via More-ish Cupcakes on FB. Can’t wait to check out the rest of your blog. I can already see that I’m going to get lost in your awesomeness for hours. I wanted to ask if you’re blog name is referring to Nigella Lawson? I love her and I hope that you really don’t think you can’t compete with her, because from what I can see, I think you’re great!
these are the most amazing cupcakes i have EVER seen that aren’t, like, computer generated or something. They’re AMAZING! By the way, is the black vodka/powder paste kid friendly? I want to make sure it doesn’t taste too strong.
Lorraine,
Do you know where in Sydney (preferably Eastern Suburbs) i can buy an edible ink black pen?
I ordered one online but they’re out of stock! Trying out some of your halloween recipes this weekend.
Thanks!
Sam.
Hi Sam! There aren’t a lot of cooking supply places in the east but try a non toxic texta (most are BC they are for kids) and try black coloring and a paintbrush for the bigger parts. Peters of Kensington and David Jones should sell black colorpuring gel
good luck!
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] from Not Quite Nigella are these Haunted Mansion Silhouette Cupcakes. I thought these were an unusual idea but so [...]
[...] were you ever last picked for the sports team? Or were you good at sports?Black Crow cupcakesFor cupcakes-see recipe hereblack fondant (or chocolate fondant and black colouring powder)a tiny amount of red fondantred [...]
Post a Comment