Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a cupcake pan by lining it with delightful cupcake liners.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Use a whisk to blend these dry ingredients thoroughly, ensuring there are no lumps.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Take care not to overmix to maintain the cupcakes' light texture.
Carefully fold in the dark chocolate chips into the batter, spreading them evenly for delightful bursts of chocolate in every bite.
Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake; it should come out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Once the cupcakes are cool, use a small knife or a cupcake corer to create a small hole in the center of each cupcake. Spoon in approximately 1 teaspoon of the raspberry or cherry jam, filling the hole to resemble a gory 'blood' effect.
Generously pipe or dollop whipped cream atop each cupcake, creating a fluffy, potion-like appearance.
For a spooky finishing touch, sprinkle the whipped cream with edible black glitter or sprinkles. If desired, place chocolate vampire fangs on top of the whipped cream for a dramatic effect.
Notes
Arrange the finished cupcakes on a dark platter for a haunting presentation.