Bleeding Broken Glass Cupcakes

Bleeding cupcakes, broken glass cupcakes, murdered cupcakes... no matter what you call them, these are some of the easiest cupcakes to make if you really want to make a ghoulish statement at your Halloween gatherings this year.

I've seen these made in several different versions, but I wanted to make sure they are as impressive in taste as they are in appearance.

For this recipe, I used Nellie’s Free Range Eggs.  I was first introduced to these eggs through my blog and I have since become obsessed with them! These eggs are certified humane, meaning that all of their farms meet the requirements of the Humane Farm Animal Care Program.  Their hens are never kept in cages, have plenty of space and clean shelter, and only undergo gentle handling to limit their stress.  All of Nellie’s eggs are free from antibiotics or hormones.

Connect with Nellie's on social:  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

I chose to use pureed cherry pie filling for my "blood" and made sure to fill the center of the cupcakes so that they "bleed" when bitten or cut into.  The cupcakes themselves are almond-flavored from scratch - the perfect companion to cherry - and they're topped with a smooth almond buttercream.

The glass shards are super easy too, as long as you have a candy thermometer!  The thermometer I use is just an old school analog version like this one that I've had for as long as I can remember.  It's never failed me.

Bleeding Broken Glass Cupcakes

---

• Author: Erin Browne
• Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Sugar Glass
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 ¾ cup white sugar
• ⅛ tsp cream of tartar
• Almond Cupcakes
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup white granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 1 can cherry pie filling, pureed until smooth
• Almond Buttercream
• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1-2 TBS of milk to thin

---

Instructions

1. Sugar Glass
2. Mix the water, corn syrup, white sugar, and cream of tartar in a saucepan with high sides. Bring to a boil, insert a candy thermometer and continue boiling rapidly until mixture thickens and reaches 300 degrees, stirring occasionally.
3. Working quickly, pour the mixture into a 9x13 cake pan or rimmed baking sheet. Allow to cool and harden completely, and then lightly smack with the smooth side of a meat tenderizer to break into shards.
4. Almond Cupcakes
5. Pre-heat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with baking papers.
6. In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the remaining ingredients and combine using a hand mixer, stopping just when the batter becomes smooth. Fill baking papers ⅔ of the way full with batter. Bake on the center rack for about 14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with only a few loose crumbs, and the tops spring back when lightly touched.
7. Remove from oven, allow to cool for about 5 minutes in the pan and then carefully remove the cupcakes from the pan and allow to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, use a cupcake core tool or small spoon and dig out a cavity in the center of each cupcake. Fill each cavity with cherry pie filling and then replace the tops with the remaining cupcake pieces.
9. Almond Buttercream
10. Using a hand or stand mixer, blend together the softened butter and almond extract until smooth. Add the salt and then the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until totally combined. Add the milk a little at a time, mixing well after each addition until the frosting has thinned enough to be easily spreadable or able to be piped.
11. Using a knife or a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip, apply buttercream to each cupcake. Top each cupcake with several pieces of sugar glass, and then drizzle leftover pie filling on top.

Recipe Card powered by

Save this recipe for later!  Pin it to your Halloween boards!  Use the pretty image below, just hover your mouse over the photo and use the button that pops up.