Get ready for Halloween fun with these delightful Halloween cookies! Whether you’re hosting a party, handing out treats, or enjoying a festive baking activity with family, these cookies are a must-have. Made with a simple sugar cookie base and decorated with colorful icing, they can be transformed into ghostly ghouls, pumpkins, or any design you like. Customize your cookies to bring your favorite Halloween characters to life – it’s the perfect mix of fun and flavor!
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters (pumpkins, bats, ghosts, etc.)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Piping bags or squeeze bottles for decorating
Ingredients:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5-6 tablespoons water (add more if needed)
- Food coloring (orange, black, green, etc.)
Instructions:
- Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and light. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until well combined. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. - Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling makes it easier to roll out the dough and helps prevent the cookies from spreading during baking. - Roll and Cut the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use Halloween-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. - Bake the Cookies
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Prepare the Royal Icing
In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, starting with 5 tablespoons and adding more if needed until you reach a pipeable consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and color each portion with your desired food coloring. - Decorate the Cookies
Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to decorate your cookies with Halloween designs. Outline and fill each shape with icing, adding details like eyes, mouths, and other spooky features. Allow the icing to dry completely before serving.
Presentation Ideas:
- Arrange the cookies on a black or dark-colored plate for a spooky effect.
- Add candy eyes to ghost or monster cookies for a fun, playful look.
- Create a Halloween-themed cookie platter with mini pumpkins, bats, and ghost cookies.
Tips:
- For crisp edges, make sure to chill your dough before rolling and cutting.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, keeping them fresh and ready to enjoy.
These Halloween cookies are the perfect way to add a festive touch to your holiday treats. With endless decorating possibilities, they’re great for kids and adults alike. Get creative and have fun with these spooky cookies, bringing a touch of Halloween magic to every bite!
Halloween Cookies Recipe
These spooky Halloween cookies are the perfect treat for your Halloween celebration! Decorated with fun, festive designs, they're easy to make and loved by kids and adults alike.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutters (pumpkins, bats, ghosts, etc.)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Piping bags or squeeze bottles for decorating
Ingredients
- For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Royal Icing:
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5-6 tablespoons water add more if needed
- Food coloring orange, black, green, etc.
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and light. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), mixing until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Chill the Dough
- Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. Chilling makes it easier to roll out the dough and helps prevent the cookies from spreading during baking.
- Roll and Cut the Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use Halloween-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then place them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Cookies
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Royal Icing
- In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, starting with 5 tablespoons and adding more if needed until you reach a pipeable consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and color each portion with your desired food coloring.
- Decorate the Cookies
- Use piping bags or squeeze bottles to decorate your cookies with Halloween designs. Outline and fill each shape with icing, adding details like eyes, mouths, and other spooky features. Allow the icing to dry completely before serving.
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