The Kitchen

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1 tablespoon red food coloring

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorations:

• Red gel icing or edible blood (for the bite marks)

• Black cupcake liners

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Line a cupcake pan with black cupcake liners.

1. Prepare the Cupcakes:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

• In another bowl, mix the egg, vegetable oil, buttermilk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar.

• Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.

1. Bake the Cupcakes:

• Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with the batter.

• Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

1. Prepare the Frosting:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

• Mix in the vanilla extract.

1. Decorate the Cupcakes:

• Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the cream cheese frosting using a piping bag or a spatula.

• To create the vampire bite marks, use a small round tip to pipe two dots of red gel icing on each cupcake. Then, use a toothpick to drag the gel down slightly, creating the effect of dripping blood.
  

1. Serve and Enjoy:

• Arrange your vampire-themed cupcakes on a spooky serving tray and enjoy the deliciously dark treat!