Hey y'all! Looking for a spooktacular treat to wow your guests this Halloween? These Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes are the perfect combination of soft, chocolatey goodness and a surprise gooey raspberry "blood" filling. Not only do they look hauntingly fabulous, but they're also downright delicious—perfect for Halloween parties, spooky movie nights, or any occasion that calls for a bit of whimsy. Let’s get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes Recipe
- Impressively spooky with a "bloody" raspberry surprise inside.
- Moist, rich chocolate cupcakes everyone will love.
- Kid-friendly and perfect for Halloween parties or themed gatherings.
- Easy to customize with your favorite decorations and fillings.
- Great make-ahead treat that's just as delicious the next day!
Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water
- ½ cup raspberry jam (seedless preferred)
- Red gel food coloring (optional, for extra color)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2-3 tablespoon milk (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Black or red decorative icing (for vampire fang marks)
How to Make Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
Step 1: Prepare the Cupcake Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat together eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the hot water (the batter will be thin—this is normal!).
Step 2: Bake the Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
- Fill each cupcake liner about ⅔ full with batter.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Fill the Cupcakes with Raspberry "Blood"
- Once cupcakes are cool, use a small knife or a cupcake corer to remove a small section from the center of each cupcake.
- Mix raspberry jam with a few drops of red gel food coloring for dramatic effect, if desired.
- Spoon about 1 teaspoon of jam into each cupcake's center and replace the cut-out piece on top.
Step 4: Decorate with Vampire Bite Frosting
- For the frosting, beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy, adding more milk if necessary.
- Pipe or spread the frosting over each cupcake.
- Use black or red decorative icing to draw two fang marks on top of each cupcake, letting a bit of raspberry jam drip out for maximum spooky effect.
Notes for Perfect Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
- Chill cupcakes before coring and filling for cleaner cuts and less mess.
- You can substitute strawberry jam or cherry preserves for the raspberry filling. See more jam options at Serious Eats.
- If you want extra red "blood," try adding a few drops of food coloring to the jam.
Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes Variations
- Vanilla Cupcakes: Swap the cocoa powder for extra flour and use vanilla extract for a lighter base.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.
- Vegan: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, dairy milk with plant milk, and use vegan butter.
Required Equipment for Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
- 12-cup muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cupcake corer or small knife
- Piping bag and tip (optional for frosting)
Storage Instructions for Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let refrigerated cupcakes come to room temperature before serving for best texture. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months, tightly wrapped.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions for Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
- Pair with a glass of cold milk or spooky Halloween punch for kids.
- Serve alongside other themed treats like monster cookies or pumpkin bars.
- Set cupcakes on a dark serving platter for extra eerie vibes.
Pro Tips for the Best Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and fluffier cupcakes.
- Don't overmix the batter—mix until just combined to keep cupcakes tender. Learn more about cupcake techniques at Sally’s Baking Addiction.
- For dramatic bite marks, use a toothpick to drag jam slightly from the fang holes onto the frosting.
Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes FAQ
- Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake and fill the cupcakes a day ahead and frost just before serving. - Can I use a different filling?
Yes, try strawberry jam, cherry pie filling, or even chocolate ganache for a different flavor. - How do I make clean fang marks?
Use a small round piping tip and a steady hand. Chill the cupcakes before decorating for precise marks.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup raspberry jam (for filling)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)
- Red gel food coloring (for vampire bite effect)
Instructions
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1Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
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2In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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3Add eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
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4Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
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5Using a small knife, cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and fill with raspberry jam to create the 'vampire bite' effect.
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6In a separate bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk, beating until smooth. Frost the cupcakes and use red gel food coloring to create 'blood' drips from the bite marks.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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