If you’re looking for a fun, delicious treat with a touch of spooky romance, this Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these cookies combine buttery dough with sweet strawberry jam, and that little “vampire bite” detail is just too cute! Whether for Halloween, a themed party, or just because you’re craving something special, you’ll find that making these treats is as enjoyable as eating them.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: You can whip up the cookie dough and have these in the oven in under an hour.
- Perfect Balance: The buttery cookie meets sweet and slightly tangy strawberry jam — a match made in dessert heaven.
- Fun Presentation: The little vampire bite holes add playfulness, making these cookies a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s Halloween or just a cozy night in, these cookies fit the mood perfectly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for the Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe are straightforward but thoughtfully chosen to create that tender cookie with a jammy center. Using seedless strawberry jam is key here — it keeps the bite smooth without seeds getting caught in the dough, which can be a little annoying.
- Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it creams easily with the sugar, giving you that fluffy base for your dough.
- Sugar: Just regular granulated sugar works great, balancing the buttery richness.
- Egg: Using a large egg at room temperature helps with the dough’s texture—just don’t skip this!
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, inviting aroma that elevates the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie; it creates that tender chew you want.
- Salt: Just a pinch to bring out all the flavors — never underestimate salt in baking.
- Seedless Strawberry Jam: This is your star filling — go for a good-quality jam for the best flavor and texture.
- Additional Jam (Optional): Use this for drizzling vampire bites to really make them pop visually.
Variations
One of my favorite things about the Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I’ve experimented quite a bit, and I encourage you to play around with flavors and textures that suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Switch Up the Jam: I’ve tried raspberry and cherry jams instead of strawberry, and it gives the cookies a slightly different but equally delicious twist.
- Gluten-Free Version: You can swap in a gluten-free flour blend for a safe alternative — just make sure it includes xanthan gum for texture.
- Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra decadent touch, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies — it’s a total crowd-pleaser!
- Make Them Mini: Using a smaller cookie cutter makes bite-sized treats perfect for parties or snack platters.
How to Make Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
This is the step that sets the texture for your cookies. Beat the softened butter and sugar together for about 5–7 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. I always use a stand mixer for this, but a hand mixer works great too. Don’t rush it — the longer you cream, the better these cookies will turn out!
Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla for Flavor
Next, beat in a room temperature egg and vanilla extract. These add moisture and that classic cookie flavor you’ll love. Make sure your egg is not cold straight from the fridge, or it could cause the butter to seize.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients and Chill the Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour and salt together. Gradually add this to the creamed butter mixture, mixing just until everything combines. You don’t want to overwork the dough here. Then flatten it into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This resting period helps make the dough easier to roll and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
Step 4: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookie Circles
Once chilled, lightly flour your surface and roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out your circles. This step’s super fun because you’ll start to see the shape of your little vampires taking form!
Step 5: Assemble with Jam and Create Vampire Bites
Place half the circles on greased baking sheets. Spoon a teaspoon of seedless strawberry jam in the center of each, then top with the remaining circles. Press the edges lightly so they seal but be gentle — you want the jam inside, but a little leakage is okay and even charming! Now grab a skewer or toothpick and poke two small holes in the top cookie of each — these are the signature vampire bites.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake at 325ºF for 10–12 minutes until the cookies are set and just starting to turn golden. The jam may bubble out a bit—that’s totally normal and adds to the look! Let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Add Finishing Touches
If you want to make those vampire bite holes really stand out, dip your skewer in extra jam and drizzle it from the holes. It looks like a fresh “kiss from a vampire,” and my family loves the extra pop of flavor and drama this adds.
Pro Tips for Making Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
- Perfect Dough Chill: Don’t skip the 30-minute chill — it’s what keeps these cookies from getting too flat and helps with easy rolling.
- Flour Your Cutter: To get clean cookie shapes, dip your cutter in flour before each cut to prevent sticking.
- Handle Jam Leakage Gracefully: Some jam escaping is okay; it caramelizes a bit in the oven and adds a delightful little crispy sweetness around the edges.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: Cold eggs can mess with your butter’s texture, so let them sit out for 20 minutes before baking.
How to Serve Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle a tiny dusting of powdered sugar over the cooled cookies to add a touch of elegance and contrast with the vibrant jam. Sometimes, I add tiny edible red glitter for parties—because, why not? It highlights the vampiric vibe perfectly.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of black tea or a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness. If I’m feeling festive, a rich hot chocolate makes a killer combo—perfect for chilly nights.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve presented these cookies on dark slate platters with fresh berries and little vampire cape props for Halloween parties. Another time, I stacked them in clear jars tied with black and red ribbons to give as spooky yet charming gifts. It’s amazing how small touches elevate these treats from simple cookies to memorable delights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Kiss from a Vampire Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They stay fresh for up to 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
I’ve frozen these cookies baked and unbaked. For baked cookies, freeze them in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. For unbaked dough, wrap tightly and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking.
Reheating
To revive the cookies, pop them in a 300ºF oven for 5 minutes to warm and slightly crisp the edges without drying them out. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the cookie too soft or chewy.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of jam for the Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While I love seedless strawberry jam for its sweetness and smooth texture, raspberry, cherry, or even apricot jams work great. Just make sure the jam isn’t too runny, or it might leak more during baking.
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How do I prevent the jam from leaking too much while baking?
Chilling the dough before cutting and assembling helps it hold its shape better. Also, gently pressing and sealing the edges around the jam prevents excessive leakage, though a little bubbling out is normal and adds charm.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. The texture might differ slightly but will still be delicious!
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How long do these cookies keep fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they’re best enjoyed within 3 days. They start to lose their fresh, soft texture after that.
Final Thoughts
I can’t tell you how many times this Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe has been my go-to for a quick, charming, and downright delicious treat. The combination of buttery dough, sweet jam, and that fun vampire bite detail never fails to impress. I hope you give it a try and find the same joy in making and sharing these cookies as I do. It’s like sending a little love note from your kitchen — spooky, sweet, and totally unforgettable.
PrintKiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Kiss from a Vampire Cookies are charming jam-filled treats perfect for Halloween or any spooky occasion. Soft buttery cookies envelop a sweet strawberry jam center, with a fun vampire bite detail that adds a playful twist to classic jam cookies. They are simple to prepare, baked until tender and slightly golden, and decorated with a jam drizzle for an eerie finishing touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling and Decoration
- 1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam
- Additional seedless strawberry jam (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Combine the all-purpose flour and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, mixing well to form a soft dough. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill and firm up.
- Preheat and Roll Out Dough: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (165ºC). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter dusted with flour to cut out circles from the dough.
- Assemble Cookies with Jam: Place half of the dough circles onto greased baking sheets. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of seedless strawberry jam in the center of each circle. Top each with another dough circle and gently press the edges to seal the cookies.
- Create Vampire Bite Detail: Use a skewer to poke two small holes in the center of the top cookie of each sandwich to mimic vampire bites.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the assembled cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookies are set. Note that some jam may escape from the edges during baking. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
- Optional Decoration: If desired, dip a skewer in additional strawberry jam and drizzle jam from the two small holes on the cookies to emphasize the vampire bite effect for added visual appeal.
Notes
- Ensure the egg is at room temperature to help the dough come together more smoothly.
- Keep the dough chilled before rolling to prevent sticking and maintain the shape of the cookies.
- Use seedless jam to avoid lumps that can break the cookie seal during baking.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a festive look, consider using red or black sanding sugar to sprinkle on top before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg