'Vampire Smile' Cookies (Halloween)

I first saw these fun Halloween treats pictured on my Instagram feed (@eatpastry) and immediately wanted to eat one. So, I got to work making them at home for our pre - trick or treat Halloween party. They ended up being pretty easy to create and they were a hit with the neighborhood kids. I lightly adapted a Christina Tosi chocolate cookie recipe, (All About Cookies,) and used store bought vanilla frosting, and tinted it red. Mini marshmallows are used for the teeth. I tried some slivered almonds for fangs, but ultimately decided that the kids were gonna pick those out of their cookies, sooo didn’t make all of them with almonds. This is a simple, yet fun and tasty treat. I packaged them up in individual Halloween treat bags, thinking the parents would appreciate the cookies as to-go gifts....but mostly they were gobbled up as a pre- trick or treating snack!

Chocolate cookie dough:

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp kosher salt

3/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I love Hershey’s Special Dark)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

You will also need: mini marshmallows and frosting of your choice. I used canned vanilla frosting, and added red food coloring, but you can use homemade buttercream!

Method:

Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream together the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle, on medium high speed for two minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle. Turn the mixer on medium high for another minute and scrape the bowl. Add the egg and vanilla and mix on medium speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or on the stove, stirring frequently, until evenly melted. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the melted chocolate to the bowl.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking powder until fully combined. Add to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed JUST until combined. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer, scrape the sides and finish mixing by hand.

Shape dough into about 15 balls. Space them out on the cookie sheets, allowing room to spread and push down lightly on them with your fingers. You can also prep these the night before, and chill the dough in the fridge. Just let them sit out on the counter while the oven preheats. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Check for the edges to be firm. Allow to cool completely on racks before assembling.

Once cookies are room temperature, use a sharp knife to cut them in half. Spread as much frosting on each half as you like for the bloody mouth. Stick the marshmallows to the frosting in the teeth arrangement of your liking and sandwich the other half on top. Now you have the best tasting bloody mouth to serve up to young children and adults alike!!