If you’re looking for a fun and spooky treat that’s as easy as it is delicious, you’ve got to try this Vampire Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these come out—the chocolate chip base is irresistible, and the red “bloody” frosting along with the almond “fangs” make them perfect for Halloween or any playful occasion. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through how to make these creepy-cute cookies that everyone raves about!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples to whip up these eye-catching cookies.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating these little “fang cookies” is half the fun—great for cooking with kids or parties.
- Perfect for Halloween: The spooky design makes them a seasonal showstopper that tastes just as good as it looks.
- Quick to Make: From start to finish, you’ll have these ready in about 30 minutes—great for last-minute plans!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a delicious cookie with a fun vampire twist. Since the base is premade cookie dough, this recipe is great for when you want something impressive but easy. Grab good quality vanilla frosting and fresh mini marshmallows for the best results.
- Chocolate chip cookie dough: Using pre-made dough saves you time without sacrificing flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade dough works too!
- Vanilla frosting: This acts as the “glue” and the “bloody” vampire look once red food coloring is added.
- Red food coloring: Just a few drops will give your frosting the perfect blood-red tint.
- Mini marshmallows: These are the vampire’s “fang bases” around the cookie edges—look for fresh and fluffy.
- Slivered almonds: These sharp little pieces create the iconic vampire fangs — toothsome and visually striking.
Variations
I love adapting this Vampire Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m baking for. Feel free to get creative—this recipe is a great base for all sorts of fun tweaks.
- Chocolate dough swap: I’ve tried using sugar cookie dough instead, which makes a lighter canvas for the blood-red frosting and works beautifully if you prefer a less sweet cookie.
- Different frostings: Sometimes I mix a little strawberry jam into the frosting for a more natural red color and an extra flavor layer.
- Nut-free option: An easy swap is to replace the slivered almonds with thinly sliced white chocolate pieces if anyone has nut allergies.
- Spooky toppings: For extra flair, add edible eyes or small candy bats to the tops—great for Halloween parties!
How to Make Vampire Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Cookie Base
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the chocolate chip cookie dough into 1 ½ inch balls and place them spaced apart on the sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes or until they turn that perfect golden color around the edges. This step is key—avoid overbaking to keep the centers soft. Once baked, set them aside to cool completely. I like to let them rest on the rack, so they firm up nicely for slicing.
Step 2: Slice and Frost
Once your cookies are cooled (this part is crucial so the frosting doesn’t melt), cut each cookie in half horizontally. Then mix a few drops of red food coloring into the vanilla frosting until you get a smooth, blood-red color. Spread a thin layer of this red frosting on the flat side of every cookie half. This frosting not only adds the vampire blood effect but also works to hold the marshmallows and almonds in place.
Step 3: Assemble Your Vampire Masterpieces
Now for the fun part! Take half of your cookie halves and carefully place mini marshmallows around the round edges to mimic the vampire’s mouth. Then top each marshmallow-circled half with one of the remaining halves, flat sides together, like a sandwich. Finally, add two slivered almonds on either side of each cookie’s edge to create those signature sharp vampire fangs. These look so cool and really bring the spooky vibe to life.
Pro Tips for Making Vampire Cookies Recipe
- Use room temperature dough: It’s easier to roll and results in more evenly baked cookies.
- Cool completely before slicing: I learned the hard way that warm cookies make messy halves and the frosting melts.
- Apply frosting sparingly: Too much frosting can overwhelm the cookie and make assembly tricky.
- Be gentle with almond fangs: Press them in just enough to stick—too much force can break these delicate pieces.
How to Serve Vampire Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to pop these Vampire Cookies on a platter with a dusting of cocoa powder or edible glitter for an extra eerie effect. Sometimes, I add a few fake spider rings or some fresh mint leaves around the plate for a pop of color that still feels spooky.
Side Dishes
These cookies really shine as the sweet finale, so I usually serve them alongside a tall glass of milk or a cup of rich hot chocolate. For Halloween, adding some red fruit punch or blood orange soda makes for a playful spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, I arranged the cookies in a circle on a platter and placed a large bowl of “bloody” raspberry sauce in the center for dipping—it was such a hit with guests! You could also serve them stacked on tiered plates or wrapped individually with a Halloween ribbon for party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover Vampire Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cookies stay soft and the frosting holds up well without getting sticky. Storing them properly is key to keeping those cute little marshmallow fangs intact.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these cookies after baking but before assembling, which works best. Just freeze the halves separately in a sealed bag, then thaw and finish assembling when you want to serve—this keeps the marshmallows fresh and the cookies tasty.
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed at room temperature, I typically avoid reheating. But if you want to warm them slightly (especially if homemade dough was used), a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave softens the cookie without melting the frosting too much.
FAQs
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Can I make Vampire Cookies Recipe from scratch instead of using pre-made dough?
Absolutely! You can use your favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie dough recipe. Just make sure you chill and roll the dough into 1 ½ inch balls and bake as directed. Homemade dough may require slight adjustments in baking time depending on your recipe.
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What can I use instead of slivered almonds if I have a nut allergy?
A great nut-free alternative is to use thin white chocolate shards or even small candy cane pieces shaped like fangs. Just pick something sturdy that can be stuck on with frosting and look like vampire fangs.
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How do I prevent the frosting from melting when assembling the cookies?
The key is to let the cookies cool completely before spreading the frosting. If the cookies are warm, the frosting softens and makes it tricky to add marshmallows and almonds without slipping or melting.
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Can I make these Vampire Cookies Recipe in advance for a party?
Yes, you can bake and slice the cookies a day ahead, store them airtight, then assemble them just before your event. This keeps the marshmallows fresh and the overall look crisp and festive.
Final Thoughts
This Vampire Cookies Recipe has been a total crowd-pleaser at my house—especially around Halloween but honestly any time we want a little playful fun with baking. The ease of using pre-made dough combined with the vampire-themed decorations means you get a delicious treat with minimal fuss. I can’t recommend giving it a try enough—you’ll love how festive and tasty these turn out, and your friends and family will be impressed by your spooky creativity!
Print
Vampire Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert,Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These fun and spooky Vampire Cookies are perfect for Halloween or any vampire-themed party. Made with easy-to-use chocolate chip cookie dough, red-tinted vanilla frosting, mini marshmallows for the ‘fang gums,’ and slivered almonds as sharp vampire fangs, these cookies are both delicious and visually striking. They combine a delightful homemade touch with simple decorating techniques to create a festive treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 1 tube chocolate chip cookie dough (about 16 oz)
Frosting
- 1 can vanilla frosting (about 16 oz)
- Red food coloring, a few drops
Decorations
- Mini marshmallows, about 24 pieces
- Slivered almonds, 24 pieces
Instructions
- Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Roll the chocolate chip cookie dough into 1 ½ inch balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes until the cookies are golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding.
- Slice and Frost: Once cooled, carefully cut each cookie in half horizontally to create two thinner halves. In a small bowl, add a few drops of red food coloring to the vanilla frosting and stir thoroughly until the frosting reaches an even, blood-red hue. Spread a thin layer of this red frosting onto each cookie half.
- Assemble Vampire Cookies: On half of the cookie halves, arrange mini marshmallows along the rounded edge to imitate gums. Place the remaining cookie halves on top to create a sandwich. Finally, insert two slivered almonds on each sandwich, positioning them to resemble vampire fangs poking out from the marshmallow gums.
Notes
- Make sure cookies are completely cooled before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Adjust the amount of red food coloring to achieve your desired ‘blood’ intensity.
- Use parchment paper to make cleanup easier and prevent sticking.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
