Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes are the perfect combination of fun and delicious! The red velvet cake provides a rich, moist base, while the surprise raspberry jam filling gives them a gory “blood” effect. The creamy vanilla buttercream adds the perfect balance of sweetness, and the decoration with red food coloring creates an authentic “vampire bite” look. They’re not just a treat for your taste buds, but also for your imagination!

Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Cupcakes:
- 1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp (15g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp red gel food coloring
For the Bloody Jam Filling:
- ½ cup (160g) raspberry or strawberry jam
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional)
- 1–2 drops red food coloring (optional)
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 ½ cups (420g) powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- Pinch of salt
Decoration Extras:
- Red gel food coloring or red decorator gel
- Toothpicks, pipettes, or small straws for bite marks

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Make the Cupcakes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In one bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt).
In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (vegetable oil, sugar, egg, buttermilk, vanilla extract, vinegar, and red gel food coloring).
Gradually combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix until smooth.

2. Bake

Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full.
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.

3. Prepare the Jam Filling

In a small saucepan, heat the raspberry or strawberry jam. If desired, thicken with cornstarch and add red food coloring to intensify the “blood” effect.
Let the jam cool before filling the cupcakes.

4. Core and Fill the Cupcakes

Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, use a knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake.
Fill each with 1–2 teaspoons of the cooled jam.

5. Make the Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and milk or cream until the frosting is creamy and smooth.

6. Decorate the Cupcakes

Pipe the frosting onto each cupcake using a piping bag.
Poke two holes in the frosting to create “bite marks” and drip red gel or jam around the holes to resemble blood.
Optionally, you can add more red food coloring or red decorator gel to give them a more dramatic look.

7. Serve

Let the cupcakes chill slightly before serving, or serve them at room temperature for the full effect. Enjoy your spooky, delicious treats!

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Variations

Use Other Flavors: Try different cupcake bases, like chocolate or pumpkin, for a unique twist on this Halloween treat.
Different Jam: You can also use strawberry or cherry jam for a different “blood” flavor.
Vegan Version: Replace the egg with a flaxseed egg or egg replacer, and use dairy-free butter and non-dairy milk for a vegan version.
Pumpkin Spice Version: Add pumpkin spice to the batter for a seasonal variation that adds a warm spice flavor to the cupcakes.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or refrigerate them for up to a week.
Reheating: Serve at room temperature. If refrigerated, let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

FAQs

1. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the cupcakes, frost them, and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days before serving.

2. Can I use a different filling?

Yes! If you don’t want to use jam, you can try a custard or chocolate ganache filling for a different flavor.

3. How can I make the frosting more vibrant?

Use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring for a more vibrant and thicker frosting. You can add a few drops of red gel food coloring to get a blood-like effect.

4. Can I make the jam filling thicker?

Yes, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch with water, then heat it with the jam to thicken it before using it as the filling.

5. Can I decorate the cupcakes with something other than food coloring?

Yes, you can use other edible decorations like red decorator gel or edible glitter for a different effect.

6. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version of these cupcakes.

7. How do I keep the frosting from being too soft?

If your frosting is too soft to pipe, chill it for 15 minutes in the fridge before using it to decorate the cupcakes.

8. How can I make the “bite marks” more realistic?

For a more realistic touch, you can lightly press a toothpick or small straw into the frosting to create a clean, defined bite mark.

9. Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze the cupcakes before frosting. Once baked and cooled, store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw before frosting and serving.

10. Can I use different food coloring for the “blood” effect?

Yes, you can use any food coloring that suits your desired effect. Red gel food coloring gives the most intense and vibrant “blood” color, but you can use others to create a different look.

Conclusion

These Halloween Vampire Bite Cupcakes are not only fun and spooky, but they’re also delicious and easy to make. With their vibrant red velvet cake, tangy raspberry jam “blood,” and creamy frosting, they’re the perfect treat to serve at any Halloween party or spooky gathering. Make these cupcakes to impress your guests with their eerie look and fantastic taste. Whether for a vampire-themed event or just to celebrate the season, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit!