11 Bloody Red Velvet Desserts for Halloween
Red velvet’s signature crimson color makes it the perfect base for spine-chilling Halloween treats. These desserts transform the classic Southern favorite into deliciously terrifying confections that’ll have your guests screaming for more.
From dripping “blood” glazes to zombie-inspired presentations, these red velvet creations combine rich cocoa flavor with tangy cream cheese elements to create desserts that are as delicious as they are dramatically spooky. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just want to add some gothic flair to your dessert table, these bloody brilliant treats will satisfy your sweet tooth and your love of all things eerie.
1. Bloody Red Velvet Cupcakes with Dripping Icing
These show-stopping cupcakes feature the classic red velvet flavor topped with cream cheese frosting that’s been tinted deep red and designed to “drip” down the sides like fresh blood. The contrast between the fluffy, moist cake and the dramatic presentation makes them perfect conversation starters.
They’re surprisingly easy to make – just pipe the frosting high and let gravity do the work for that authentic dripping effect. The rich chocolate undertones pair beautifully with the tangy cream cheese, creating a flavor combination that’s both familiar and thrilling. Check the recipe here.
2. Red Velvet “Crimson” Velvet Tart
This elegant dessert elevates red velvet into sophisticated territory with a buttery tart shell filled with red velvet custard or mousse and topped with fresh berries. The tart format creates beautiful presentation that’s perfect for more upscale Halloween gatherings or dinner parties. The contrast between the crisp shell and smooth filling creates wonderful textural interest, while the berries add fresh brightness that cuts through the rich custard.
Despite its elegant appearance, the components can be made separately and assembled before serving. The individual portions make serving easy, and the dramatic red color maintains the Halloween theme while feeling refined and restaurant-quality. Check the recipe here.
3. Red Velvet Zombie Brain Bundt Cake
Using a brain-shaped bundt pan transforms ordinary red velvet cake into a zombie’s dream dessert. The intricate ridges and curves of the mold create realistic brain-like texture that’s enhanced with a glossy red glaze. Despite its gruesome appearance, this cake delivers the beloved red velvet taste with its subtle cocoa flavor and tender crumb.
The bundt format makes it surprisingly easy to serve at parties – just slice and watch guests’ reactions. The dense, moist texture holds up beautifully to the dramatic presentation, making it both a visual and culinary success. Check the recipe here.
4. Bloody Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
These decadent bars combine the best of both worlds – rich red velvet cake base topped with creamy cheesecake and finished with a “bloody” berry swirl. The layers create beautiful contrast both visually and texturally, with the dense cake supporting the silky cheesecake layer.
They’re perfect for feeding crowds since you can cut them into neat squares, and they actually taste better after chilling overnight. The tangy cheesecake complements the subtle chocolate notes in the red velvet, while the berry swirl adds both flavor and that essential Halloween gore factor. Check the recipe here.
5. Red Velvet Horror Movie Sheet Cake
This crowd-pleasing sheet cake brings red velvet to the masses with dramatic decorating inspired by classic horror films. The large format makes it perfect for Halloween parties, office celebrations, or any event where you need to feed a crowd. Sheet cakes are wonderfully forgiving to make and decorate, and the red velvet flavor remains consistent throughout the large pan.
The smooth surface provides an excellent canvas for spooky decorations, while the familiar flavor appeals to guests who might be hesitant about more adventurous Halloween treats. It’s the perfect balance of dramatic presentation and crowd-pleasing taste. Check the recipe here.
6. Red Velvet Blood Spatter Brownies
These fudgy brownies get their horror movie appeal from a red velvet batter swirled through rich chocolate brownies, creating a blood spatter effect when cut. The combination of two beloved flavors – classic brownies and red velvet – creates an incredibly indulgent treat.
They’re actually easier than making two separate batches since you use one base and modify half. The contrasting colors create dramatic visual appeal, while the dense, chewy texture satisfies serious chocolate cravings. The slight tang from the red velvet batter balances the intense chocolate richness perfectly. Check the recipe here.
7. Bloody Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cookies
These soft, pillowy cookies combine the tangy richness of cream cheese directly in the cookie dough with classic red velvet flavors. The cream cheese creates an incredibly tender texture that’s almost cake-like but holds together perfectly as a cookie. They’re much easier than making cream cheese frosting separately, and the integrated flavor is more subtle and sophisticated.
The deep red color against the pale cream cheese swirls creates natural bloody effects without any additional decoration needed. These cookies stay soft for days, making them perfect for baking ahead for Halloween events or gift-giving. Check the recipe here.
8. Bloody Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
These soft, pillowy cookies combine the best features of red velvet cake in a handheld form, with dramatic cracks that reveal the deep red interior against powdered sugar “snow.” The texture is incredibly tender and cake-like, making them feel like eating a piece of red velvet cake without utensils. They’re surprisingly easy to make and the crinkled appearance happens naturally during baking.
The powdered sugar coating creates beautiful contrast and adds sweetness that balances the subtle cocoa flavor. They’re perfect for Halloween cookie exchanges or as a sophisticated alternative to typical decorated sugar cookies. Check the recipe here.
9. Red Velvet “Bloody” Whoopie Pies
These soft sandwich cookies feature red velvet cake cookies filled with classic cream cheese frosting, with extra filling allowed to ooze out the sides for that “bloody” effect. The texture is incredibly soft and moist, almost like eating a handheld cake. They’re much easier than layer cakes but deliver the same classic red velvet experience. The generous filling creates messy, fun eating that’s perfect for Halloween parties.
The combination of the tender cookies and tangy filling creates the perfect balance of flavors, while the oozing filling adds the dramatic visual element that makes them perfect for spooky celebrations. Check the recipe here.
10. Red Velvet Gothic Layer Cake
This towering masterpiece features multiple layers of red velvet cake with dramatic black and red decorating that screams gothic elegance. The impressive height makes it a true centerpiece, perfect for adult Halloween parties or gothic-themed events. Despite its elaborate appearance, it’s just multiple layers of the same reliable red velvet recipe.
The dark decorating hides any imperfections in frosting technique, making it more forgiving than pristine white cakes. The classic red velvet flavor shines through all the drama, providing familiar comfort food appeal wrapped in spooky sophistication. Each slice reveals beautiful red layers that maintain the Halloween theme. Check the recipe here.
11. Bloody Red Velvet Truffles
These bite-sized indulgences combine red velvet cake crumbs with cream cheese and chocolate, rolled into balls and coated with cocoa powder or melted chocolate for an elegant finish. The rich, dense texture is incredibly satisfying, and the small size makes them perfect for parties where guests are sampling multiple desserts.
They’re surprisingly simple to make and can be prepared days ahead of time. The intense red velvet flavor is concentrated in each bite, while the smooth texture melts beautifully on the tongue. Rolling them in different coatings can create variety in both appearance and taste while maintaining the spooky red theme. Check the recipe here.
12. Red Velvet “Blood Drop” Cake Pops
These fun treats on sticks feature red velvet cake mixed with cream cheese frosting, shaped into teardrops, and decorated to look like drops of blood. The cake pop format makes them perfect for Halloween parties, especially for kids who love treats on sticks.
They’re easier to eat than regular cake and create less mess, while still delivering that beloved red velvet taste. The smooth coating can be decorated with various techniques to enhance the blood drop illusion. The concentrated flavor and smooth texture make them incredibly addictive, and the dramatic appearance ensures they’ll be the first treats to disappear from any Halloween spread. Check the recipe here.