Kingdom Hearts Nocturne Cupcakes

I have a lot of fun thinking of themed foods for Halloween. This year would be the Nocturne Heartless from Kingdom Hearts! I divided this guide into three parts: the easy skinny chocolate cupcakes, the dark black frosting (regular and low-fat version), and the printable pattern for the decor.

For the frosting, I researched around for dark and black frosting ideas that were naturally colored since I don't like using artificial coloring. I came across a blog that recommended using Black Cocoa Powder. The frosting uses natural dark cocoa powder to darken the color, and once it oxidizes it turns into a jet black (although I only managed a very dark brown). I purchased it from Amazon.

Bake the cupcakes

Easy Skinny Chocolate Cupcakes

Yields 18 - 20 cupcakes. Ingredients:

1 15.25oz boxed chocolate cake mix
1 cup Greek Yogurt
1 cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix Greek yogurt and water. Add the boxed chocolate cake mix and mix thoroughly.
2. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners (use red, blue, yellow, and green for the Heartless Nocturne). Fill each cup with batter about 2/3 full. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes.

Make the frosting

Regular Dark Buttercream Frosting

4oz butter, softened (1 stick)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup black cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, use a hand mixer and beat the softened butter for one minute until light and fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Beat again to mix.
3. Turn hand mixer off and use a spoon to gently mix everything thoroughly. Frosting will darken as the cocoa oxidizes.

Low Fat Dark Frosting

***Please note I have not tried this method with the black cocoa power. It works fine with vanilla, I changed it a little for the dark version.***

1 small 3.5oz box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup low fat or skim milk
1/2 cup black cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 8oz container fat free whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the pudding mix, milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until thickened.
2. Fold in the whipped topping.
3. Spread or pipe frosting over cooled cupcakes. Frosting will darken as the cocoa oxidizes.

Putting it together

Kingdom Hearts Nocturne Cupcakes

Red, blue, yellow, and green cupcake liners
Yellow M&M's
Yellow and orange colored paper

Click Here to download the KH Nocturne Cupcake Pattern

1. Cut the pattern pieces out using the pattern above. I didn't want to trace the edges so I cut out a few sheets of the colored paper to size, laid the pattern on top, and cut the shape out while holding it int place.

2. To easily make the cone part of the hat, first apply a small piece of tape to one end, then bring in the other side and tape together. Fold the cone shapes to help create more shape if needed.

3. To make the hat tip, fold each piece towards the center, then in half. Bend, curve, and fold the tip to help keep it in place and to create the shape.

4. Insert the hat tip through the top of the cone and tape into place.

5. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcake.

6. Carefully place the yellow M&M's as the eyes and the hat on top. Now you have a Nocturne Heartless cupcake! Decorate it further by adding the heartless emblem!

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