Description
These Vampire Bite Halloween Cupcakes are a spooky and delicious treat perfect for Halloween parties. Featuring moist red velvet cupcakes filled with a creamy red velvet filling, topped with pale skin-tone buttercream frosting, and decorated with candy fangs and dripping red syrup to mimic vampire bites, these cupcakes are sure to impress guests with their creepy and festive appearance.
Ingredients
Scale
Cupcake Batter
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon gel-based red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Red Velvet Filling
- 1/2 cup red velvet cake crumbs (from cupcake centers)
- 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 to 2 tablespoons red food coloring
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- A few drops ivory or peach food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration
- Candy fangs or small dots of red gelatin
- Red syrup or edible red gel
- Red straws (for decoration, not edible)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prepare for baking the cupcakes.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy, which will help create a tender crumb texture for the cupcakes.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth and well-emulsified batter.
- Add Flavor and Color: Mix in vanilla extract and gel-based red food coloring until the batter is a vibrant red color, setting the signature Halloween tone.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of these dry ingredients.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Activate Leavening: Stir in baking soda and white vinegar; the reaction between these will help the cupcakes rise and become fluffy.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising during baking.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully baked.
- Cool Cupcakes Slightly: Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for easier handling and filling.
- Remove Liners: Once completely cool, remove the paper liners carefully without damaging the cupcakes.
- Prepare Red Velvet Filling: In a small bowl, blend the red velvet cake crumbs from the cored cupcake centers with sweetened condensed milk and melted butter to create a creamy filling.
- Add Color to Filling: Add red food coloring to the filling mixture to achieve an intense, vibrant hue for a dramatic vampire bite effect.
- Core Cupcakes: Using a sharp knife or cupcake corer, carefully remove a small portion from the center of each cooled cupcake to create space for the filling.
- Fill Cupcakes: Gently spoon the creamy red velvet filling into each cupcake, filling the cavity to the top for a luscious surprise inside.
- Prepare Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy, forming the base of the frosting.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated to prevent sugar clouds.
- Add Vanilla and Milk: Pour in vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream to enhance flavor and achieve the desired consistency.
- Beat Frosting Until Fluffy: Beat the mixture until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, perfect for spreading or piping.
- Color the Frosting: Blend in a few drops of ivory or peach food coloring to create a pale, skin-like tone suitable for vampire bite decoration.
- Frost Cupcakes: Spread or pipe the skin-tone buttercream evenly over each filled cupcake to cover the filling.
- Chill Frosted Cupcakes: Chill briefly if a firmer texture is desired before decorating, making the frosting easier to work with.
- Add Decorative Vampire Bites: Press candy fangs or position two red gelatin dots closely together on the surface of each cupcake to mimic bite marks.
- Apply Blood Drips: Drizzle red syrup or edible red gel from each ‘bite’ to mimic dripping blood, enhancing the eerie look.
- Serve: Arrange decorated cupcakes on a dark serving platter and serve immediately to best maintain the look and texture.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter as this can make cupcakes dense.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before coring and filling to prevent the filling from melting.
- Use gel-based food coloring for more vibrant colors without thinning the batter or frosting.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with milk plus 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to sour it.
- The red syrup or edible gel can be found at specialty baking stores or online for best results.
- Red straws are for decorative purposes only and should be removed before eating.
