Ingredients
- Black Cocoa Powder – for a deep chocolate flavor and dark color
- Espresso Powder – enhances the chocolate flavor
- Buttermilk – for a moist and tender crumb
- Cherries – for a juicy, blood-like filling
- Cornstarch – to thicken the cherry filling
- Black Food Coloring – for the dark color of the cupcake
- Light Corn Syrup – for a shiny “blood” effect
- Red Food Coloring – to make the “blood” effect realistic
- White Chocolate Chips – for the ganache
- Heavy Cream – for the ganache
- Baking Temperature – 350°F / 180°C
- Decorative Sprinkles – red and black Halloween-themed
Instructions
- Making the Cupcake Base:
- Sift dry ingredients: flour, black cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Whisk wet ingredients: buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients alternately, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).
- Fill cupcake liners halfway and bake at 350°F for 15-17 minutes, or air fry at 12-15 minutes.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before filling.
- Blood-Red Filling:
- In a saucepan, simmer cherries, sugar, water, cornstarch, and vanilla until thickened (15-20 minutes).
- Mash the cherries to create a gooey, “guts-like” filling.
- Cool the filling before using.
- Black Buttercream Frosting:
- Combine softened butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Add black food coloring until the desired color is achieved.
- Pipe onto cupcakes using a large star tip for a spooky effect.
- Core and Fill:
- Core the center of each cupcake and fill with the cooled blood-red filling.
- Pipe black buttercream on top.
- Decorate:
- Add Halloween-themed sprinkles or edible blood drips (made from corn syrup and red food coloring).
- Optional: Create sugar glass decorations for added spookiness.
Notes
- These cupcakes yield 36 servings.
- Make the blood-red filling and sugar glass a day in advance for convenience.
- Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Halloween Treats
- Method: Baking, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: per serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg