Vampire Blood Cupcakes (Jam Filling) – spooky Halloween cupcake idea

Alright, I have to confess: these Vampire Blood Cupcakes are basically my spooky little kitchen obsession every October. Picture biting into a soft, moist chocolate cupcake only to get a burst of blood-red jam—like a deliciously eerie surprise hiding inside! The first time I made these, my friends actually jumped back (in the best way, I promise) when the “blood” oozed out. If you love Halloween treats that bring a little drama and a lot of yum, these cupcakes will be your new go-to. Plus, they’re super easy to make, even if you don’t consider yourself a baker. Let’s get spooky and sweet!

Quick Facts

• Yield: 12 cupcakes
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 38 minutes

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 tsp vinegar as a substitute)
• 1/2 cup your favorite red berry jam (raspberry or strawberry work best)

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Red food coloring (optional, for extra spooky effect)

How I Make It

Step 1:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry blend sets the perfect chocolate base for our cupcakes.

Step 2:

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy and light (about 3–4 minutes). Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 3:

Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined — don’t overmix or you’ll risk dense cupcakes.

Step 4:

Now for the fun part: fill each cupcake liner halfway with batter. Using a small spoon or piping bag, add about a teaspoon of your red jam right in the center, then cover with a bit more batter until the liners are about 3/4 full. This keeps our vampire blood hidden inside!

Step 5:

Bake for about 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted next to the jam center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack — you don’t want to melt the frosting!

Step 6:

While they cool, whip up the frosting by beating the butter until creamy, then gradually adding the powdered sugar. Stir in the vanilla and cream, and add red food coloring if you want a ghoulish glow. Pipe or spread the frosting over each cupcake, and if you’re feeling extra festive, drizzle a little jam on top like dripping blood.

Variations & Tips

• Try raspberry jam for a tart, blood-red surprise, or strawberry for a sweeter note.
• Swap cocoa powder for melted chocolate if you want a richer cupcake flavor.
• If your jam is too runny, gently heat it on the stove to thicken before filling.
• For a spooky twist, use black or red cupcake liners.
• Storing cupcakes in an airtight container keeps them fresh for up to 3 days; refrigerate if it’s warm.
• To avoid sinking centers, don’t overfill the liners—leave space for the batter to rise!

How I Like to Serve It

I love bringing these Vampire Blood Cupcakes to Halloween parties—they’re perfect for a spooky dessert table and always start a fun conversation! Serve them with a big cup of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk to balance out the rich chocolate and sweet, tangy jam. And honestly, they’re just as fun for a movie night when you want a cute but creepy treat at home.

Notes

• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tsp vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes—works like a charm!
• For a dairy-free version, swap butter with coconut oil and use non-dairy milk.

Closing: These Vampire Blood Cupcakes are a fail-proof way to impress your spooky guests with that gooey surprise inside—once you make them, you’ll want to bury yourself in a batch every Halloween!