Description
These Bloody Eyeball Cupcakes are a spooky and delicious treat perfect for Halloween or any creepy-themed party. Featuring moist red velvet cake filled with cherry pie filling to mimic ‘bloody’ centers, topped with creamy cheesecake frosting and crowned with spooky eyeball candies, these cupcakes are sure to impress both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients on back of box
- 1 small box cheesecake instant pudding mix
Filling
- About 1 cup cherry pie filling
Cheesecake Frosting
- 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 stick butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 Tbsp cream or milk
- 4–5 cups powdered sugar
Decoration
- Red sparkle food gel
- Eyeball gumballs (or another eyeball candy)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 muffin tins with about 16 cupcake liners and set aside.
- Make Batter: In a large bowl, prepare the red velvet cake mix according to package instructions until smooth. Stir in the cheesecake instant pudding mix until fully incorporated.
- Bake Cupcakes: Evenly portion the batter among the muffin tins, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with light moist crumbs. Let cupcakes cool completely.
- Core Cupcakes: Using a small paring knife, carefully cut out the center of each cooled cupcake to create a cavity. Discard the removed cake pieces.
- Fill Cupcakes: Spoon cherry pie filling into each cupcake cavity, making sure to include at least two cherries per cupcake for a realistic ‘bloody’ effect.
- Make Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat together the cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and cream or milk for 1-2 minutes until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Pipe Frosting: Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large open-circle tip. Pipe the frosting high onto the filled cupcakes, covering the cherry centers completely.
- Decorate: Use red sparkle food gel to draw squiggly lines down the sides of each cupcake, starting from the top peak of the frosting. Place an eyeball gumball on top of each cupcake as the finishing spooky touch.
- Serve: Present your Bloody Eyeball Cupcakes for a chillingly delicious treat that’s perfect for Halloween celebrations!
Notes
- For best results, ensure cream cheese and butter are fully softened before making frosting.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with raspberry preserves for a different berry flavor.
- If eyeball gumballs are unavailable, use another eye-shaped candy or make edible eyes with icing.
- The cupcake cores removed can be saved and eaten or used as crumbs for another dessert.
- Make sure to cool cupcakes completely before coring or frosting to prevent melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
