Description
Spooky and fun red velvet vampire cupcakes filled with ‘bloody’ cherry filling, topped with cream cheese frosting, and decorated with vampire bite marks for the perfect Halloween treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red food coloring
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling (for ‘blood’ center)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Red gel or syrup (for bite marks)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Stir in buttermilk, vanilla extract, red food coloring, and vinegar until combined.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until batter is smooth.
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and fill with cherry pie filling.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy.
- Pipe cream cheese frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Use a toothpick to make two small ‘fang’ punctures in the frosting and drip red gel or syrup to resemble blood.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for a spooky effect.
Notes
- Chill cupcakes before serving for cleaner vampire ‘bite’ presentation.
- You can substitute strawberry jam for cherry filling if preferred.
- Decorate with Halloween sprinkles or edible fangs for extra flair.
- For extra moistness, brush cupcakes with simple syrup before filling.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American