Amp up your Halloween with the most delicious and yet frightfully looking Bloody Eyeball Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes. All the guys and ghouls will die for them!
Are you looking for something super spooky, delicious, and fun to share with your favorite guys and ghouls for Halloween? My Bloody Eyeball Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes are to die for (pun intended). Best of all they are so easy to make!
When I started brainstorming blood filled cupcake recipes I immediately thought of my mom’s cheesecake cupcakes. I grew up with my mom making cherry cheesecake cupcakes. I almost always requested them for the holidays and special occasion. The base cheesecake recipe comes from my recipe for Classic New York Style Cheesecake.
I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes for Bloody Eyeball Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes. I’ll walk you through the recipe today. They are much easier then you could imagine. To give these cheesecake cupcakes a touch of Halloween I used cherry pie filling for a little “gore” + fun little candy eyeballs that Wilton makes.
In this post you will learn exactly how to make these Halloween bloody cupcakes.
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – Whenever you make cheesecake it has to be at room temperature!
- Granulated Sugar – You will need granulated sugar for both the crust and the filling.
- Vanilla Extract – For this cheesecake recipe I like to use a clear vanilla so it does not tint the cheesecake.
- Eggs – These also need to be at room temperature!
- Cherry Pie Filling – Any brand of cheery pie filling will do.
- Wilton Candy Eyeballs – These are most important for making the cucpakes come to life!
- Graham crackers – You can buy them already ground or whole and crumble them yourself.
- Unsalted butter – You’ll want this melted to mix in with the graham crackers.
Directions
I use a KitchenAid Stand Mixer to whip together the cheesecake filling. I always use Dixie Crystals Sugar for all my baking. They are my go-to brand! I was recently introduced to Adam’s Extracts and I’m a new found fan! Two key ingredients in this cheesecake recipe. I’ll preheat the oven, then start the batter. The cream cheese has to be at room temperature–so make sure you plan accordingly. After I’ve made the cheesecake batter I then put together the graham cracker crust.
Using a medium cookie scoop I scoop about a tablespoon of graham cracker crumbs into each cupcake paper liner. Then I scoop cheesecake batter and fill each liner at least ¾ full. In the oven they go for 20-25 minutes depending on your oven until set and no longer wiggly!
You will want to remove the cheesecakes from the muffin tray. Let them cool until room temperature then chill for at least 1-2 hours. That’s when I top them with cherry pie filling topping. Prior to serving to friends and family I’ll add on the candy eyeballs. If you leave them on over night the candies will start to bleed. They don’t look as crisp and fresh.
*Always store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FAQs
To check if your cheesecake cupcakes are done, gently shake the cupcake pan. If the cheesecake looks nearly set and only a small circle in the center jiggles a little bit, it is done. The center will firm up during the cooling time. Never use a toothpick or knife to check.
Over-mixing the cheesecake batter incorporates too much air, which makes the cheesecake rise during baking then collapses as it cools.
The sky is the limit with topping cheesecakes. Especially when you make cheesecake cupcakes. You can top with fresh fruit, canned fruit compote, or any of your favorite candy bars like Snickers, Reese, or even Twix! Drizzle some caramel or chocolate sauce on top or top with a little freshly whipped whip cream!
These candy eyeballs are made by Wilton. I have found them at Walmart, Michael’s Craft Stores, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, and of course Amazon. They come in all shapes and sizes. Perfect for these cupcakes, White Chocolate Halloween Candy Bark, and Monster Apple Slices.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for making eyeball cakes for Halloween.
- Bake ahead – You can bake the cheesecake cupcakes ahead of time and decorate right before serving.
- Fruit – The cherry filling works best because it looks like little red eyeballs. But you could also use blueberry filling as well.
- Candy Eyeballs – Make sure to place the candy eyeballs on just before you are about to serve. I learned that they don’t do well and bleed as they sit on the cherry compote over night.
Halloween Recipes
I love Halloween and because of that I have quite a few fun Halloween recipes both sweet and savory!
If your entertaining for Halloween or maybe need to make a delicious treat for your child’s school Halloween party. I know for a fact all the kids will love these Bloody Eyeball Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes… at least my crazy Halloween-loving children loves these Halloween cheesecake cupcakes!
If you make these eyeball cupcakes, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Bloody Eyeball Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Equipment
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Graham Cracker Crust:
- ½ cups Finely ground graham crackers
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
For the Cheesecake:
- 3 8 oz Packages of cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Adam’s Extract Clear Vanilla
- 5 Eggs
- 1 can Cherry Pie Filling
- 48 Wilton Candy Eyeballs
Instructions
- Stir together graham cracker, melted butter, sugar and salt in a bowl. Set to the side.
- Put a rack in the middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Beat cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric stand mixer at medium speed until fluffy. Reduce speed to low and add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add one cup granulated sugar and the one teaspoon vanilla. Mix until well combined, scraping down sides of bowl with a spatula as needed.
- Place cupcake liners in muffin pan. Using a medium cookie scoop–scoop graham cracker filling in each liner. Then using another scoop, scoop cheesecake batter on top of the graham cracker until ¾ full. Repeat until all the batter is used.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, let cool on a wire rack until at room temperature about 1 hour. Then, transfer to the refrigerator.
- Before serving scoop 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling on top and add 1,2, or even 3 eyeball candies! Repeat until all cheesecakes are decorated. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Bake ahead – You can bake the cheesecake cupcakes ahead of time and decorate right before serving.
- Fruit – The cherry filling works best because it looks like little red eyeballs. But you could also use blueberry filling as well.
- Candy Eyeballs – Make sure to place the candy eyeballs on just before you are about to serve. I learned that they don’t do well and bleed as they sit on the cherry compote over night.
Nutrition
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These are so creepy and so delicious! I love the cherries on these.
Thanks Christie!
These little cheesecakes are soooo delicious looking. Love the Red!
Thanks! They look just as good as they taste!
Those eyeballs on the cherries look amazing!
LOL Thank you!
Cherry cheesecake is one of my favorite things, and I love how simple it is to “spooky” them up for Halloween!
Yes! One of my favorites too! It’s amazing what adding a little candy eyeballs can do to a dish!
These look bloody good! I love those funny little eyes!
Thanks Valentina!