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These dinosaur cupcakes are perfect for a birthday party. They're easy to make and use a box mix, so they're fast too! Easy to frost and top with crushed Oreos for dirt, they are topped off with chocolate dinosaurs for the perfect finish. Step-by-step instructions included!

Dinosaur Cupcakes

These dinosaur cupcakes are so easy and sure to be a hit at your dinosaur birthday party! Step-by-step instructions are included to make chocolate dinosaur toppers for these chocolate dirt cupcakes.
Course Dessert
Keyword birthday cupcakes, birthday party, boys party, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate toppers, cupcakes, dino cupcakes, dinosaur cupcake toppers, dinosaur cupcakes, dinosaur party, dirt cupcakes, easy cupcakes, girls party, kids party, oreo dirt
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Servings 24

Ingredients

  • 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Delights Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix or your favorite box mix or homemade recipe
  • 1 1/4 cup water*
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil*
  • 3 eggs*
  • 1 tub 16 oz chocolate frosting or two cups chocolate buttercream frosting
  • 8 Oreo cookies
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups candy melts in various shades of green
  • small dinosaur chocolate mold
  • 1 teaspoon oil or shortening optional
  • palm leaf cupcake toppers optional

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal or glass pan or 325°F for nonstick pan. Line two muffin tins with liners.
  2. Mix cake mix, water, oil and eggs in a large bowl at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and beat an additional 2 minutes.
  3. Divide batter evenly to make 24 cupcakes, filling approximately 2/3 of the way full.
  4. Bake for 14 to 19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes and transfer cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely.

  5. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt candy melts in short 15-30 second intervals, stirring often. Do not over cook chocolate. Stir to completely combine and add a bit of canola oil or shortening for a super smooth look.

  6. Using a spoon, carefully drop chocolate in plastic mold, carefully filling to the top but not overflowing. It helps to add to the center and gently push out to the edges, making sure to get all crevices.
  7. Gently tap the mold on a hard surface to even out and remove air bubbles.
  8. Level by scrapping off excess with the flat edge of metal spatula for a cleaner look.
  9. Place on level surface in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to fully harden before gently removing. Smooth out edges if needed.
  10. Once completely cooled, frost each cupcake with a spatula.
  11. Place Oreo cookies in a food processor until crumbs have formed. (Alternatively, you can place cookies in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin)
  12. Transfer crumbs to a small bowl.
  13. Tip frosted cupcake upside and gently press into the cookie crumbs, carefully rotating slightly to cover entire cupcake. Set aside. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
  14. Top with a chocolate dinosaur and one or two foliage cupcake toppers, if desired, before serving.

Recipe Notes

Exact amount of candy melts will vary depending upon dinosaur mold used for cupcake toppers.