Description
Create spooky and delicious Vampire Cupcakes for your Halloween party. These moist chocolate cupcakes feature a surprise red jam filling and are topped with festive frosting and blood drip decorations. A fun and easy recipe for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (35 g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 g), softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (120 ml)
- 1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam (120 g)
- 2 tablespoons water (if needed to thin the jam)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (226 g), softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar (360 g)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red food gel for “blood drips”
- Halloween sprinkles (optional)
- Candy vampire fangs or themed toppers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Stir just until combined; do not overmix.
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the vampire cupcake batter.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.
- If the jam is too thick, warm it slightly and add a splash of water if needed.
- Use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cooled cupcake.
- Spoon or pipe the jam into each cavity, then replace the top piece of cake.
- For the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream or milk until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
- Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cooled vampire cupcakes.
- Drizzle red food gel over the frosting to create “blood drips.”
- Add Halloween sprinkles or candy vampire fangs for decoration.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before filling and frosting to prevent melting.
- Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant red “blood drips.”
- For an extra spooky effect, create two small “fang marks” in the frosting with a toothpick and fill them with red gel.
- Avoid overfilling the cupcakes with jam to prevent overflow.
- Chilling the decorated cupcakes before serving can help set the frosting and decorations.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake