As soon as the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to crunch underfoot, it’s time to start baking the spooky favorites that make October unforgettable. One of our most-requested fall recipes is Vampire Bite Donuts with Raspberry Glaze a hauntingly sweet treat with just the right balance of spooky and scrumptious. These baked donuts are soft, fluffy, and drizzled with a blood-red raspberry glaze that makes them perfect for Halloween breakfast tables, party platters, or cozy baking nights with the kids.
This recipe brings together the best of fall baking moist, cake-style donuts, tart raspberry glaze, and an eerie bite mark finish that’ll make everyone smile. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween brunch or just want a ghoulishly delightful treat, Vampire Bite Donuts with Raspberry Glaze are the ultimate seasonal bake.
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Vampire Bite Donuts with Raspberry Glaze
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
Description
Soft, fluffy baked donuts drizzled in eerie raspberry glaze these Vampire Bite Donuts are the perfect spooky-sweet treat for Halloween brunches, party platters, or cozy baking nights with the kids.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup neutral oil (like sunflower or avocado)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Toothpick or small skewer (optional)
- Red decorating gel or thickened raspberry glaze (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until no dry streaks remain.
- Spoon batter into the donut pan, filling each mold about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
- In a small saucepan, heat raspberries, lemon juice, and water over medium heat until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Strain mixture through a sieve to remove seeds.
- Mix strained juice with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Adjust thickness with more sugar or water.
- Dip each cooled donut face-down into the glaze. Place on wire rack to let excess drip off.
- For vampire bites, use a toothpick to poke two small holes and dab with extra raspberry glaze or gel.
- Let glaze set for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best flavor, use fresh raspberries. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the donuts tender. Cool completely before glazing to prevent melting. Use a piping bag or zip-top bag for easier batter distribution.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients for Vampire Bite Donuts with Raspberry Glaze
For the donuts:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup neutral oil (like sunflower or avocado)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the raspberry glaze:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Optional (for vampire bite effect):
- Toothpick or small skewer
- Red decorating gel or thickened raspberry glaze
Step by Step Instructions
1. Make the Donuts
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your donut pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until no dry streaks remain.
Spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each mold about 3/4 full. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
2. Prepare the Raspberry Glaze
In a small saucepan, heat raspberries with lemon juice and water over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve to remove seeds. Combine the strained juice with powdered sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Stir until smooth and pourable. Adjust thickness with more sugar or a drop of water.
3. Glaze & Decorate
Dip each cooled donut face-down into the glaze. Place back on the wire rack to allow excess to drip off. For vampire bites, use a toothpick to create two small holes and dab them with extra raspberry glaze or gel. Let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh raspberries for a richer flavor, but frozen works well too if thawed.
- Don’t overmix the batter just fold until combined.
- Allow donuts to cool before glazing to avoid melting the glaze.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off for neat batter distribution into the pan.
If you love festive baking, you might also enjoy our Pumpkin S’mores Cookies or Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins, both ideal companions to these spooky treats.
Variations to Try
- Gluten-Free: Swap the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix.
- Vegan Option: Use flax eggs and a plant-based milk with a splash of vinegar instead of buttermilk.
- Streusel Topping: Before baking, sprinkle the batter with a quick oat-and-sugar streusel for a crunchy finish.
- Stuffed Centers: Pipe raspberry jam into the donuts after baking for a surprise “bloody” center.
Looking for more baked goodness? Try our Healthy Pumpkin Donut Holes (Gluten-Free) or the always reliable Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese.
How to Store Your Vampire Bite Donuts
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: These can be kept in the fridge for 4–5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months. Defrost and glaze when ready to serve.
Looking to plan your Halloween spread? Pair these donuts with our Caramel Apple Puppy Chow or Brown Sugar Pumpkin Loaf for a cozy fall dessert board.
FAQ About Vampire Bite Donuts with Raspberry Glaze
1. Can I make these donuts ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake them a day in advance and glaze them the next day to keep the topping fresh.
2. How do I thicken the raspberry glaze?
Add more powdered sugar a little at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
3. What if I don’t have a donut pan?
You can bake these in a mini muffin pan they’ll be like donut holes. Just reduce the bake time by 2–3 minutes.
4. Can I use store-bought raspberry jam?
Absolutely. Warm it slightly and thin it with a bit of water or lemon juice for an easy glaze alternative.
Conclusion
There’s something truly delightful about combining playfulness with flavor, and these Vampire Bite Donuts with Raspberry Glaze hit that sweet spot. They’re easy to bake, even easier to devour, and a guaranteed hit at any fall celebration. So grab your apron, turn on some Halloween tunes, and get baking you’ll be surprised how much joy a simple donut can bring!