Ingredients:

  • 1 (10 ounce/283g) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) cherry juice (reserved from jar)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • Red food coloring (optional, for extra gore)
  • 1 1/2 cups (192g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ounce (28g) red food coloring (gel or liquid)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) white vinegar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3-4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Make the Cherry Surprise Filling: Combine chopped cherries, cherry juice, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract, and food coloring (if using) in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Cool completely.
  2. Prepare the Cupcake Batter: Whisk together dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk. Mix cocoa powder, food coloring, and vinegar in a separate bowl, then add to the batter.
  3. Bake the Cupcakes: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
  4. Make the Vanilla Buttercream: Beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy.
  5. Assemble the Vampire Bite Cupcakes: Cut a small cone-shaped piece from the top of each cupcake. Fill the hole with the cooled cherry surprise filling.
  6. Frost the Cupcakes: Frost the cupcakes with vanilla buttercream.
  7. Create the 'Bite Mark': Using a small piping bag fitted with a round tip (or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped), pipe a small amount of cherry filling onto the frosting to resemble a bite mark. Use a toothpick to carefully drag some of the filling down the sides for a more realistic, 'bloody' effect.