Spooky Vampire Kiss Red Velvet Cookies
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 24 Hershey’s Kisses (milk chocolate or dark chocolate)
- Optional: Red decorating gel for “blood” drips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat and Prepare – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even browning.
- Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar – In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients – Add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until the color is uniform and the ingredients are well combined. Be careful as red food coloring can stain surfaces!
- Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients – In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix the dough.
- Step 5: Roll the Dough – Scoop about one tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a smooth ball, roughly 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 6: Bake the Cookies – Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies should look set on the edges but still slightly soft in the center. Do not overbake, or they will lose their chewy texture.
- Step 7: Add the Vampire Kiss – Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat will soften the chocolate. If desired, use red decorating gel to add two small “bite” dots next to the kiss for a vampire effect. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.