Name: Vampire Bite Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: PT-489194H58M13S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the cupcakes:; All-purpose flour; Unsweetened cocoa powder; Baking soda; Baking powder; Salt; Granulated sugar; Eggs; Milk; Vegetable oil; Vanilla extract; Hot water or hot coffee; For the raspberry ‘blood’ filling:; Fresh or frozen raspberries; Sugar; Cornstarch; Lemon juice; For the frosting:; Unsalted butter, softened; Powdered sugar; Milk or heavy cream; Vanilla extract; Optional for decoration: Red food gel or leftover raspberry filling, Toothpick or skewer (for creating bite marks)

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Halloween vampire bite cupcakes are spooky, sweet, and delightfully dramatic. With rich chocolate cake, blood-red raspberry filling, and eerie “bite marks” on top, they’re the kind of treat I love bringing to Halloween parties — creepy and delicious in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how these cupcakes are both festive and tasty. The dark chocolate base is rich and moist, the raspberry “blood” center is sweet and tart, and the vanilla frosting makes the perfect canvas for those bloody vampire bites. They’re fun to decorate, easy to customize, and guaranteed to get people talking. Vampire Bite Cupcakes

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cupcakes:

All-purpose flour
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Milk
Vegetable oil
Vanilla extract
Hot water or hot coffee

For the raspberry “blood” filling:

Fresh or frozen raspberries
Sugar
Cornstarch
Lemon juice

For the frosting:

Unsalted butter, softened
Powdered sugar
Milk or heavy cream
Vanilla extract

Optional for decoration:

Red food gel or leftover raspberry filling
Toothpick or skewer (for creating bite marks)

Directions

I start by making the cupcakes. I whisk together dry ingredients, then mix in the wet ingredients and finish with hot water or coffee to create a smooth batter.
I pour the batter into lined cupcake tins and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 18–20 minutes. Once baked, I let them cool completely.
For the filling, I simmer raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch until thickened. I strain it for a smooth texture and let it cool.
Using a small knife or cupcake corer, I cut out a center in each cupcake and spoon in the raspberry “blood.”
I whip up the vanilla frosting and pipe it over the filled cupcakes, covering the top completely.
To finish, I use a toothpick dipped in raspberry sauce or red gel to poke two “fang marks” on top and let a bit drip for a realistic effect.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 12 cupcakes. It takes about 20 minutes to prep, 20 minutes to bake, and 15–20 minutes to cool and decorate.

Variations

I sometimes swap raspberry for cherry or strawberry filling, or use cream cheese frosting for a richer twist. For a chocolate overload, I mix cocoa into the frosting or use red velvet cupcakes as the base. A candy eyeball or fondant bat on top also adds a fun touch. Vampire Bite Cupcakes

Storage/reheating

I store these cupcakes in the fridge because of the fruit filling, keeping them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I let them come to room temperature before serving. They freeze well (unfrosted and unfitted) for up to a month — I just fill and decorate after thawing.

FAQs

Can I make the cupcakes in advance?

Yes, I often bake the cupcakes a day ahead and store them at room temperature (unfilled). I fill and frost them the day I serve them.

How do I get the “bite marks” to look real?

I use a toothpick or skewer dipped in raspberry sauce to make two close punctures and let a bit of sauce drip down naturally — it creates a great effect.

Can I use store-bought jam for the filling?

Absolutely. I sometimes use seedless raspberry or strawberry jam if I’m short on time, warming it slightly to make it easier to fill.

Can I make this with vanilla cupcakes?

Yes, they work great with vanilla cupcakes too — the contrast with the red filling is just as dramatic.

Is the filling supposed to be thick?

Yes. I cook it until it coats the back of a spoon and thickens enough to hold its shape inside the cupcake.

Conclusion

Halloween vampire bite cupcakes are my favorite kind of holiday baking — creative, creepy, and completely delicious. Whether I’m making them for kids, adults, or just myself, they always add a dramatic and festive flair to my Halloween table.