Description
These Scary Halloween Cookies are spooky, buttery, and so much fun to decorate! Perfect for kids and adults alike, these cookies hold their shape beautifully when baked and serve as the perfect canvas for creepy Halloween designs using icing, fondant, or sprinkles.
Ingredients
Scale
Essentials:
- 250g unsalted butter (softened)
- 250g golden caster sugar
- 2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 500g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
Optional Add-Ons:
- Red and black food coloring
- Halloween-themed cookie cutters (ghosts, bats, pumpkins)
- Red, white, and black writing icing
- 200g ready-to-roll fondant icing
- 1 tbsp apricot jam (to stick fondant decorations)
Substitutions & Shortcuts:
- Butter: Use margarine if needed.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar works in place of golden caster sugar.
- Flour: Whole wheat flour creates a chewier texture.
- Eggs: For a vegan swap, use 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water per egg.
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and golden caster sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes). Add eggs and vanilla. Stir in food coloring if using.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift flour and baking powder together. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until dough forms. Wrap in cling film and chill for 1 hour.
- Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 170°C (325°F) and line baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Roll and Cut: Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to 0.5cm thick. Cut into Halloween shapes using cookie cutters. Place on trays, spaced 2cm apart.
- Bake: Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.
- Decorate: Once cool, use writing icing for blood splatters or faces, and fondant for ghosts, pumpkins, or tombstones. Stick fondant pieces with warmed apricot jam.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is key — it prevents cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- For sharper details, dip cutters in flour before stamping shapes.
- Decorating tip: Use a toothpick for precision details with icing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American, Halloween Treats
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Scary Halloween cookies, spooky sugar cookies, Halloween baking, decorated cookies, Halloween party food