Prepare the Cupcakes

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Cream Butter and Eggs: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.

4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined and smooth.

5. Fill Cupcake Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.

Bake the Cupcakes

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

2. Cool: Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Frosting

1. Beat the Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.

2. Add Sugar and Cream: Gradually add the powdered sugar and heavy cream, mixing until smooth. Add vanilla extract and beat until fluffy. You can add food coloring if desired.

Create the Broken Glass Decoration

1. Prepare Hard Candy: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place hard candy pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

2. Melt Candy: Bake the candy for about 10 minutes until melted. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before breaking it into “glass” shards.

Assemble the Cupcakes

1. Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost each cupcake with the buttercream frosting.

2. Add Broken Glass: Decorate the frosted cupcakes with the broken glass shards, gently pressing them into the frosting.

3. Drizzle with “Blood”: Finally, drizzle red gel or corn syrup over the top of the cupcakes for a bloody effect.