Vampire Bite Donuts with Red Jelly Filling

Servings: 12 Total Time: 45 mins Difficulty: Beginner
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Introduction

Halloween is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild in the kitchen, and these Vampire Bite Donuts with Red Jelly Filling are the ultimate spooky-sweet treat. Soft, fluffy donuts become deliciously creepy when filled with vibrant red jelly that oozes out like “blood” from two tiny fang marks. They’re playful, a little eerie, and completely irresistible—everything a Halloween dessert should be.

What makes these donuts truly special is the surprise element. From the outside, they look like charming donuts with just a couple of mysterious “bite” marks. But one bite reveals the sweet, jammy filling that adds a dramatic flair and a burst of fruity flavor. They’re a perfect blend of indulgence and fun, making them a hit with both kids and adults.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s the perfect mix of spooky fun and indulgent sweetness. There’s something so satisfying about biting into a soft, fluffy donut and suddenly getting that surprise burst of sweet red jelly—it feels playful, dramatic, and perfectly in tune with the Halloween spirit. The jelly “bleeding” out of the fang marks gives it a creepy edge, but it’s balanced by how delicious and comforting the donuts taste.

Another reason I adore this recipe is how versatile and creative it is. I can make the donuts completely from scratch when I want the full homemade experience, or I can take a shortcut with store-bought donuts when I need something quick for a party. Either way, the decorating part—adding the vampire bites and jelly “blood”—is so much fun and always a conversation starter.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This recipe is a must-try because it transforms a simple donut into a spooky showstopper. The combination of soft, fluffy donuts with a hidden red jelly center makes them not only delicious but also visually striking—like edible Halloween props that are actually fun to eat.

It’s also a must-try because of how easy yet impressive it is. With just a few ingredients and minimal decorating, you can create a dessert that looks bakery-quality and instantly becomes the centerpiece of any Halloween spread. Whether you use homemade donuts or a quick store-bought shortcut, the end result is always the same: donuts that make people gasp, laugh, and then come back for seconds.

Recipe Overview

  • Preparation Time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hour rising time if making yeast donuts)
  • Cooking Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
  • Servings: 12 donuts
  • Calories per serving: ~280 calories
  • Course: Dessert / Snack
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Donuts (Yeast Version):

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Filling & Decoration:

  • 1 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jelly (for “blood”)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
  • Red food coloring (optional, to intensify jelly color)
  • A straw, skewer, or piping tip (to make “fang marks”)

Cooking Directions

Make the Donut Dough:

  1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with 1 tsp sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix warm milk, butter, sugar, eggs, and salt. Add yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually add flour until dough forms. Knead 6–8 minutes until smooth.
  4. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

Fry the Donuts:

  1. Roll dough to ½-inch thickness. Cut circles with a round cutter (no hole needed).
  2. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry donuts 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown.
  3. Drain on paper towels and cool slightly.

Fill & Decorate:

  1. Place jelly in a piping bag with a small round tip. Pipe filling into each donut’s center.
  2. Use a straw or skewer to poke two small fang marks on the top of each donut.
  3. Pipe or drip a little jelly at the fang marks to resemble “bleeding.”
  4. Optionally dust with powdered sugar for contrast.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

  1. Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar until foamy.
  2. Mix Dough: Add milk, butter, eggs, and flour until dough forms.
  3. Knead & Rise: Knead until smooth; let rise until doubled.
  4. Shape Donuts: Roll dough, cut into rounds.
  5. Fry Donuts: Heat oil and fry until golden. Drain.
  6. Fill with Jelly: Pipe jelly filling into the center.
  7. Add Bite Marks: Use a straw/skewer for fang marks and add extra jelly for “blood.”
  8. Serve: Place on a spooky platter and enjoy!

How to Serve

  • Arrange on a black or Halloween-themed tray with fake vampire teeth for decoration.
  • Serve with a glass of milk, hot cocoa, or Halloween punch.
  • Use them as the centerpiece for a dessert table—they’ll grab attention instantly.

Recipe Tips

  • Keep oil temperature steady for evenly fried donuts.
  • Use seedless jelly for smooth “blood” effect.
  • If short on time, use store-bought plain donuts and just fill + decorate them.
  • For mess-free filling, use a piping bag with a Bismarck tip.

Variations

  1. Baked Version: Use baked donut batter (cake-style) and pipe jelly inside after baking.
  2. Mini Vampire Bites: Make donut holes and inject them with jelly for bite-sized treats.
  3. Chocolate Donuts: Use chocolate dough for a darker, spookier vibe.
  4. Extra Creepy: Drizzle white icing “fangs” on top for added detail.
  5. Vampire Surprise: Add a drop of red food coloring inside each filling for a dramatic “gush.”

Freezing and Storage

  • Storage: Best eaten fresh but can be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze unfried dough rounds for up to 1 month. Thaw and fry before filling. Jelly-filled donuts don’t freeze well.
  • Make Ahead: You can fry the donuts the night before, then fill and decorate before serving.

Special Equipment Needed

  • Stand mixer (optional, for kneading)
  • Round cookie cutter
  • Heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer
  • Piping bag + round tip
  • Straw/skewer (for fang marks)

Conclusion

Vampire Bite Donuts with Red Jelly Filling are the perfect blend of spooky and sweet. With their pillowy texture, gooey “bloody” filling, and fang-tastic design, they’re bound to be the hit of any Halloween party. Easy to customize and fun to decorate, they bring a playful, creepy-cute vibe to your dessert table. Whether you make them from scratch or shortcut with store-bought donuts, one thing is certain—these treats are as irresistible as they are frightful.

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Vampire Bite Donuts with Red Jelly Filling

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 45 mins
Servings: 12 Calories: 280 calories per serving

Description

Halloween is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild in the kitchen, and these Vampire Bite Donuts with Red Jelly Filling are the ultimate spooky-sweet treat. Soft, fluffy donuts become deliciously creepy when filled with vibrant red jelly that oozes out like “blood” from two tiny fang marks.

Ingredients

For the Donuts (Yeast Version):

For the Filling & Decoration:

Instructions

  1. Make the Donut Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with 1 tsp sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. In a large bowl, mix warm milk, butter, sugar, eggs, and salt. Add yeast mixture. Gradually add flour until dough forms. Knead 6–8 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
  2. Fry the Donuts: Roll dough to ½-inch thickness. Cut circles with a round cutter (no hole needed). Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry donuts 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and cool slightly.
  3. Fill & Decorate: Place jelly in a piping bag with a small round tip. Pipe filling into each donut’s center. Use a straw or skewer to poke two small fang marks on the top of each donut. Pipe or drip a little jelly at the fang marks to resemble “bleeding.” Optionally dust with powdered sugar for contrast.
Keywords: Vampire Bite Donuts with Red Jelly Filling
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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:

Q1: Can I use store-bought donuts?

Yes! Buy plain donuts, inject jelly, and add fang marks—easy shortcut.

Q2: Can I bake instead of fry?

Yes, baked donuts work too, but they’ll be more cake-like.

Q3: What jelly works best?

Seedless raspberry, strawberry, or cherry jelly for a bloody look.

Q4: How do I make them less messy?

Chill donuts briefly after filling so jelly thickens slightly before serving.

Samantha Doe Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.

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