If you’re looking for a fun, nostalgic treat that’s just perfect for Halloween or any time you want a little spooky sweetness, you absolutely need to try my Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe. These little delights have such a charming storybook vibe, with their strawberry jam centers and those cute “vampire bite” holes on top. I promise, once you make them, you’ll want to bake a double batch because everyone will go crazy for these charming, jammy cookies!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything in your kitchen already, which makes this super easy to whip up spontaneously.
- Perfect Jammy Center: The strawberry jam gives just the right punch of sweetness and a gooey surprise inside every bite.
- Cute Presentation: Those two little holes on top make these cookies instantly festive and irresistible for Halloween.
- Kid-Friendly & Fun: Kids love helping to poke the “vampire bites” and can’t wait to taste their creepy-cute creations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic in this Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe comes from the simple, well-matched ingredients — buttery softness meets sweet-tart strawberry jam. Make sure to use seedless jam for a smooth filling that won’t be too runny during baking.
- Butter: Softened butter helps create that tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture.
- Sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the tartness of the strawberry jam.
- Egg: A room temperature egg binds the dough wonderfully without making it too dense.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cookie dough’s flavor.
- All-purpose Flour: The backbone of your cookies, it provides structure without being heavy.
- Salt: Just a pinch to brighten all the flavors.
- Seedless Strawberry Jam: The star of the show—smooth, spreadable, and deliciously sweet.
Variations
While I love this classic version, you might find yourself wanting to jazz things up — and that’s the beauty of the Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe. It’s so adaptable you can make it your own!
- Jam Swap: I’ve swapped strawberry jam for raspberry or cherry to treat my kids to different flavors; each brings its own unique tanginess.
- Chocolate Lovers: For a decadent twist, add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the dough or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- Gluten-Free Version: I replaced all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and, believe me, these cookies turned out just as charming!
- Spiced Dough: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice really makes the cookies extra cozy for fall.
How to Make Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Start by beating your softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl. This usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes with an electric mixer, and you’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks light, pale, and super fluffy. This step is crucial—it’s what makes your cookies tender and airy.
Step 2: Mix in Egg and Vanilla for Flavor
Next, beat in the room-temperature egg and vanilla extract. I can’t stress enough how important it is for your egg to be at room temp—it helps the dough come together seamlessly without turning greasy or tough.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Chill the Dough
Whisk together your flour and salt, then gradually fold this into your wet mixture. Once everything is combined, flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Trust me, chilling does wonders for rolling the dough evenly and prevents spreading when baking.
Step 4: Roll Out and Cut Circles
After chilling, lightly flour your workspace and roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a floured 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out your circles. I like to cut all the bottom circles first, then re-roll scraps to cut the top circles for a neat, consistent batch.
Step 5: Assemble the Cookies with Jam and Seal
Place half of your cookie circles on a greased baking sheet. Spoon about a teaspoon of seedless strawberry jam into the center of each. Then gently top each with a second cookie circle, pressing the edges lightly to seal so the jam doesn’t ooze out too much. To finish, use a skewer to poke two small holes on top to mimic adorable vampire bite marks—this detail really makes these cookies fun to share!
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies at 325ºF for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye out because the jam might bubble up a bit. Once baked, let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up just right without breaking.
Step 7: Optional Final Touch of Jam Drizzle
To amp up the vampire theme, dip your skewer in some extra strawberry jam and drizzle it through those bite holes after baking. It looks delightfully spooky and tastes delicious!
Pro Tips for Making Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
- Soft Butter is Key: Always use butter softened to room temperature—not melted—for the perfect texture.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling; it makes rolling easier and stops cookies from spreading too thin in the oven.
- Use Seedless Jam: Avoid jams with seeds to prevent uneven fillings or breakage when sealing.
- Seal Edges Gently: Press edges lightly but firmly to keep that jam contained during baking.
How to Serve Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to plate these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a “foggy” effect that makes them look extra eerie and inviting. Sometimes, I add a small mint leaf next to them for a fresh pop of green — it’s a surprising but lovely contrast!
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa. For a grown-up twist, I’ve even served them alongside a cup of spiced mulled wine when hosting Halloween parties.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged these Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe on a large platter surrounded by gummy gummy bats and little tombstone cupcake toppers to create a fun Halloween dessert spread. I also love packaging a few in clear cellophane bags tied with black and red ribbons for a festive take-home treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, although they rarely last that long in my house! To keep them fresher, I sometimes add a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture without sogginess.
Freezing
I’ve frozen unbaked cookie dough disks wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to a month. When ready, I thaw them in the fridge overnight, then roll and assemble as usual. You can also freeze fully baked and cooled cookies in a sealed container—just separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Reheating
To revive your cookies after storage or freezing, pop them in a 300ºF oven for about 5 minutes. This warms the jam and softens the cookie exterior, making them taste freshly baked again.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of jam for the Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry jam is classic, you can swap in raspberry, cherry, or even apricot jam. Just make sure it’s seedless or well-strained so the filling sets nicely without leaking excessively during baking.
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How do I prevent the jam from spilling out during baking?
The best way is to gently but firmly press and seal the cookie edges to trap the jam inside. Also, using thicker seedless jam helps reduce spill. Finally, don’t overfill; stick to about one teaspoon per cookie bottom.
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Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge. Just roll and assemble the cookies when you’re ready to bake for fresh results.
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What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze fully baked cookies separated by parchment paper.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Kiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe brings a little whimsy and sweetness into any day, not just October! It’s one of those recipes that feels special but is incredibly easy to make, and kids and adults alike can’t get enough. I really encourage you to give it a try and watch your family and friends light up over these jammy, charming little bites. Trust me, once you’ve made them, you’ll have a new go-to cookie for celebrations or just because.
PrintKiss from a Vampire Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These charming Kiss from a Vampire Cookies are a deliciously fun twist on classic jam-filled cookies. With buttery rounds sandwiched around sweet strawberry jam and topped with playful vampire bite holes, these treats are perfect for Halloween or any festive occasion.
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
- 1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam
- Additional seedless strawberry jam, optional (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5-7 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture, stirring well until a dough forms. Flatten the dough into a disk shape, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (163ºC). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to an even thickness of 1/8 inch.
- Cut Cookie Circles: Use a floured 2-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles from the dough.
- Assemble Cookies: Place half of the cookie circles onto greased baking sheets. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of seedless strawberry jam into the center of each cookie circle. Top each with another cookie circle and gently press the edges together to seal the jam inside.
- Create Vampire Bites: Using a skewer, poke two small holes into the top cookie layer of each sandwich to resemble vampire bite marks.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set. Be aware that some jam may escape from the cookies as they bake. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Optional Decoration: If desired, dip a skewer into additional seedless strawberry jam and drizzle it from the small vampire bite holes to enhance the spooky effect.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for proper creaming.
- Use seedless strawberry jam to avoid jam seeds escaping during baking.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading during baking.
- You can substitute the strawberry jam with raspberry or blackberry jam for a different flavor and color effect.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg