One Epic Zombie Cupcake To Rule Them All (Zombie Wagon)

Photo Credit and Design by: Ray Basile @ ZombieWagon.com

For my first Zombie Wagon art opening in Seattle last week, I created a batch of zombie cupcakes as a creepy treat for all my pre-dead guests to enjoy. They were so popular that I decided to post a step-by-step recipe so you can make your own. While these do-it-yourself zombie snacks are ideal for Halloween, you'll find them perfect for an over the hill party or any other gathering of the living dead.

1. I used a boxed chocolate cake mix and cream cheese frosting that I tinted with green food coloring to look like grass.

2. You'll need Oreo cookies to create your dirt. I removed the filling then hand-crushed the cookies inside of a sandwich sized baggy. Crumbling the cookies into various sizes makes the ideal dirt for your zombie hand to push through.

3. Frost your cupcake from the center outward leaving a larger mound in the middle to give your dirt some height. I chose fancy, black and white Reynolds StayBrite™ (aluminum lined) baking cups for my design. I paid $2.59 for a 36 count.

4. Dip your frosted cupcake into the Oreo cookie crumbs using a small bowl.

5. You can hand sprinkle on more dirt after dipping to fill in any holes and create the desired cookie mound that suits your eye.

6. I used a smaller knife to add some additional frosting around the rim of my cupcake to create a raised grass-like effect. An optional step meant for the zombie cupcake perfectionist.

7. Now it's time to add your zombie hands and grave art. I used 3.5" Woodsies brand wooden craft sicks for the back of my graves which I bought at Michael's. I snagged the free grave art courtesy of Elle's Studio.

You can download Elle's grave cupcake topper PDF art here. Meticulous hand cutting is required to make your graves look amazing. I printed them on heavier matte finish brochure stock. You can also use photo paper.

I found 12 count plastic zombie cupcake hands on Ebay for $2.50, but they can be found for sale at a few other places online as well.

8. Insert the grave at the rear of your cupcake. Place the plastic zombie hand in the middle (front) of your cupcake facing up or angled to the right side if you choose. Keeping your hand at some distance from the grave creates depth in your design. At this point you can sprinkle more cookie dirt on top to fill in any holes if you desire.

The final result will have your guests gasping in awe.

Zombie Background Art by Literalremains

I used a black shoebox and real moss to create a unique zombie shoebox display as a way to showcase my finished cupcakes. I lit my graveyard display from above to create wicked shadows and add that extra level of creeping zombie death. Best of luck designing your own.

Photo Credit and Design by: Ray Basile @ ZombieWagon.com