Vampire Bite Red Velvet Donuts – spooky Halloween donut idea

Alright, I have to admit — there’s something seriously fun about making donuts that look like they’ve had a vampire’s love tap! These Vampire Bite Red Velvet Donuts bring the perfect pop of color and just the right amount of spooky flair to your Halloween spread. Plus, there’s nothing like the smell of red velvet batter baking alongside hints of cocoa to get you in that festive mood. Don’t worry if you’ve never made donuts before; these are surprisingly easy and come out super tender, with a little juicy “bite” of jam that screams Halloween mischief. I can’t wait for you to try these out and impress your ghoul-friends with a treat that tastes as good as it looks!

Quick Facts

• Yield: Serves 12 donuts
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 tbsp red food coloring
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Vampire Bite Filling & Garnish:

• 1/2 cup raspberry jam or strawberry preserves
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Red gel icing or melted red candy melts (for “bite” marks)

How I Make It

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a donut pan well — these doughnuts can stick if you’re not careful! In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt so all those dry ingredients are evenly mixed.

Step 2:

In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, red food coloring, and vanilla extract. Whisk this until everything is smooth and vibrantly red — that color is half the fun!

Step 3:

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing will make the donuts tough, so stop as soon as you don’t see dry flour.

Step 4:

Fill each donut cavity about 3/4 full with batter. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool completely before next steps.

Step 5:

Once cool, use a small piping tip or a thin knife to core out a small section on the side of each donut to mimic a “bite.” Fill each hole with a little spoonful of raspberry jam — this gives that juicy vampire bite effect!

Step 6:

Prepare a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze, then quickly add red gel icing or melted candy melts where the bite marks are for that extra bloody drama. Let them set before serving.

Variations & Tips

• You can swap out raspberry jam for cherry preserves if you want a darker, richer “blood” look.
• Try dusting donuts lightly with cocoa powder or red sanding sugar before glazing to add texture.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• For a more decadent treat, use cream cheese glaze instead of powdered sugar glaze.
• If your donut pan isn’t non-stick, cover it with a light coating of baking spray and flour to prevent sticking.
• Don’t skip cooling completely before filling — warm donuts will cause jam to run everywhere!

How I Like to Serve It

I love serving these donuts fresh at Halloween parties or even as a spooky breakfast surprise. They’re great with a hot cup of coffee or steaming cocoa to warm you up on chilly October mornings. For a creepy twist, add a few plastic fangs or little “vampire graveyard” decorations on your table for full effect.

Notes

• Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to bring back fresh-like softness.

Closing: These Vampire Bite Red Velvet Donuts always bring a perfect mix of spooky fun and rich, tender flavor that makes Halloween mornings extra special.