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Halloween cookies bring a fun twist to holiday treats, transforming classic flavors into spooky shapes and vibrant colors. If you’re looking to impress with just a few standout treats, these three Halloween cookie recipes will make your holiday table extra special. Each of these recipes is simple, delicious, and fun to make, perfect for parties, gifting, or family-friendly baking!
Ghost Sugar Cookies
These ghost-shaped sugar cookies are as easy as they are spooky! With soft, buttery dough and a ghostly design, they’ll bring a hauntingly sweet touch to any Halloween spread.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- White and black royal icing for decorating
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until a dough forms.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to create ghost shapes.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool.
- Decorate: Use white icing to cover each ghost and add black icing for spooky eyes and a mouth. Let icing set before serving.
Monster Eye Cookies
Monster Eye Cookies are vibrant, colorful, and filled with gooey chocolate and peanut butter – plus, they’re fun to decorate with candy eyes!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Candy eyeballs for decorating
Instructions:
- Make the Dough: Mix the peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
- Shape and Bake: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork for a textured surface.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press candy eyeballs into each cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Let cookies cool on a wire rack before serving. The candy eyes add a playful, monster-like appearance that’s perfect for Halloween!
Spider Web Chocolate Cookies
These chocolate cookies are rich, fudgy, and topped with a spider web design that’s both creepy and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Melted white chocolate or royal icing for spider web
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: Combine flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine and Shape: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until smooth. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Create the Web: Drizzle melted white chocolate or royal icing in a web pattern over the cooled cookies.
Mummy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Turn classic chocolate chip cookies into spooky mummies with this easy decorating trick! These cookies are soft, chewy, and drizzled with “bandages” for an adorably eerie effect.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- White chocolate or royal icing for bandages
- Candy eyes for decoration
Instructions:
- Prepare Dough: Cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake: Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Let cookies cool.
- Decorate Mummy-Style: Drizzle white chocolate or royal icing in a crisscross pattern to mimic mummy bandages. Add candy eyes while icing is still soft.
Pumpkin Spice Cut-Out Cookies
Capture the spirit of fall with pumpkin-shaped cookies flavored with warm pumpkin spice. These cookies are delicious on their own or decorated with orange icing for a festive look.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice (or mix cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Orange and green royal icing for decoration
Instructions:
- Make the Dough: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg and vanilla.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until a dough forms.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness and use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Bake and Cool: Bake cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, then allow them to cool completely.
- Decorate: Use orange icing to cover the pumpkin shape and add green icing for the stem. Allow icing to set before serving.
Can I make Halloween cookies ahead of time?
Yes! Most Halloween cookies can be made 2-3 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh. Decorated cookies, especially those with icing, should be layered with parchment paper to prevent smudging.
What’s the best way to store Halloween cookies?
Store Halloween cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For iced or decorated cookies, add a layer of parchment paper between each layer to avoid sticking. Cookies with royal icing can also be stored in the fridge if needed.
Can I freeze Halloween cookies?
Absolutely! Most Halloween cookies freeze well. For undecorated cookies, store in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to three months. Decorated cookies can also be frozen, but it’s best to freeze them without the icing if possible.
How can I make Halloween cookies vegan or allergy-friendly?
To make vegan Halloween cookies, use plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) in place of eggs. For gluten-free cookies, substitute the flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
What kind of icing works best for decorating Halloween cookies?
Royal icing is ideal for decorating cookies with clean, precise lines. It dries hard and allows for intricate designs. If you prefer a softer icing, try buttercream, but be aware it may not set as firmly.
With these five Halloween cookie recipes – Ghost Sugar Cookies, Monster Eye Cookies, Spider Web Chocolate Cookies, Mummy Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Pumpkin Spice Cut-Out Cookies – your Halloween celebration will be as sweet as it is spooky. Enjoy baking (and devouring) these treats with friends and family for a truly festive holiday!