Night of the Living Dead Cupcakes {Tutorial}

The name actually sounds a lot scarier than these cupcakes actually look.

Aren’t these fun?  Who wouldn’t want to eat that?

A few weeks ago I happened to be on Twitter when a “Witches Fingers” recipe that had been added on Key Ingredient was tweeted.  Of course I just had to look at it.  I suppose my four boys have rubbed off on me a bit and I have come appreciate things of a gory nature.

When I first saw them I thought they would be fantastic all on their own but then my mind started wandering.  I’ve seen “dirt” cupcakes with gummy worms so why not make a zombie finger come out of the dirt!?  So I got to work creating my very own zombie infested graveyard.

I’ll admit the tombstones could be better but at the moment I still can’t think of an inexpensive candy or edible…what a minute.  When I made these there was leftover shortbread dough {from the fingers} that you could totally shape into tombstones and use a gel or frosting to decorate.  Duh!  Why didn’t I think of that sooner.  Oh well, whatever.  Feel free to use the paper, toothpick version which people didn’t seem to have a problem with.

Whether you are having a Halloween party or thinking of ways to entertain the kids I think these would be perfect!

Night of the Living Dead Cupcakes

• 24 cupcakes
• 24 black cupcake liners
• 1 batch of cream cheese frosting, colored brown
• 20 Oreos, finely crushed
• 24 Finger Cookies
• 24 “RIP” tombstones, see below

I started by creating an assembly line.  Start with frosting and a knife.  Next, place the crushed Oreos in a bowl next to the frosting.  Lastly, have the fingers, tombstones, and cupcake liners ready to decorate with.

Frost a cupcake, turn it upside down and dip it into the crushed Oreos pressing slightly so the Oreo pieces adhere.  {I stored the cupcakes in the fridge to chill for awhile for the frosting to set.}  Stick the toothpick end of the tombstone into the cupcake near the back until the paper is even with the frosting.  Now stick a finger cookie straight into the cupcake, fingernail side up, in front of the tombstone.  Set in a black cupcake liner.  Repeat until all cupcakes are finished.

“RIP” tombstones (I am not a crafter so bear with me)

• 1 – 8 1/2 x 11 black piece of scrapbook paper
• Black permanent marker
• 24 toothpicks
• 24 – 1/2″ pieces of scotch tape
• scissors

Fold the paper in half lengthwise.  Fold once more in half lengthwise.  Using the scissors cut out a tombstone shape with approximately a 1 1/4″ base.  Repeat all the way down the paper until you have exactly 24 {or 6 separate stacks of 4}.  Lay them all out on a flat surface.  Use the marker to write “RIP” on each tombstone.  Flip them over.  Set a toothpick in the middle of each one with about 3/4″ sticking down below the paper.  Use a small piece of scotch tape to adhere the toothpick to the paper.