Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Alternate wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Add hot water: Carefully pour in the hot water and mix until the batter is smooth.
Fill cupcake liners: Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full with batter.
Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool: Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Frosting:
Cream butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add milk and vanilla: Beat in the milk and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Divide and color: Divide the frosting into several bowls and add a different gel food coloring to each bowl. Mix well until each bowl of frosting is evenly colored.
Decorating the Monster Cupcakes:
Frost the cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the colored frosting. You can use a piping bag for a more professional look, or simply spread the frosting with a knife.
Add candy eyeballs: Place candy eyeballs on the frosting to create the monster’s eyes. Use varying numbers of eyes for a more whimsical effect.
Add sprinkles: Sprinkle the cupcakes with various Halloween-themed sprinkles.
Get creative: For extra monster flair, add chocolate chips for horns, gummy worms for hair, or licorice strings for mouths.
