October 18, 2023
Review RecipeHalloween Sugar Cookies
These easy Halloween sugar cookies are the perfect spooky treats for all the scary Halloween creatures in your life.
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Your little ghosts and goblins will love these Halloween sugar cookies. Soft and buttery, they are topped with a sweet frosting and festive orange and black sprinkles that will be perfect to celebrate all the tricks and treats this time of year.
Halloween Sugar Cookies Ingredients
These Halloween sugar cookies are a delectable blend of buttery goodness with a hint of comforting vanilla extract.
The creamy frosting adds an extra layer of sweetness and a velvety finish, making these cookies irresistible for both kids and adults.
You’ll need:
For The Cookies:
- 2 cups of cake flour
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 large whole egg
- 1 large egg white
- ¼ cup of shortening (all-vegetable)
- 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract
For The Frosting:
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups of confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
Substitutions And Additions
SPRINKLES: You could have a lot of fun with the toppings for this Halloween frosted sugar cookie recipe.
You could stick to festive sprinkles in orange and black, or you could get creative and add candy eyes and turn your cookies into “monster” cookies.
ICING: Use a small amount of gel food coloring to make the icing color of your choice for this soft sugar cookie recipe.
Black or orange frosting would make these cookies extra fun and festive.
VANILLA: Use clear imitation vanilla for a whiter frosting, as the regular vanilla extract will tint your frosting to an off-white.
How To Make This Halloween Sugar Cookies Recipe
Let’s first get these soft cookies baked before adding the delightful frosting and festive decorations.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Make a double batch of these yummy cookies and freeze them unfrosted for a treat later.
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, add the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt.
Whisk together, then set the flour mixture aside.
STEP TWO: In a separate large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and the whole egg together with an electric mixer.
Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
PRO TIP:
Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, as melted butter will ruin your cookies. Let it sit at room temperature and it should be the perfect consistency.
STEP THREE: Add in the egg white and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
STEP FOUR: Add in shortening and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy (about two minutes).
Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
STEP FIVE: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Beat just until mixed. Do not overmix.
STEP SIX: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the raw cookie dough in the fridge overnight.
PRO TIP:
Do not skip refrigerating the dough. It needs to chill and stiffen so that it can be rolled out properly.
STEP SEVEN: Remove the bowl from the fridge and lay sugar cookie dough out on a silicone mat.
Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to ½-inch thickness. Cut into large circles (3-inch size) using a cookie cutter.
PRO TIP:
If you have Halloween cookie cutters, you could use those in place of the circle cutter to cut out fun cookie shapes.
STEP EIGHT: Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
Place unbaked cookies at least two inches apart on baking sheets. Put them back into the refrigerator (uncovered) for another hour.
STEP NINE: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
STEP TEN: Only bake one tray at a time.
Place the first cookie sheet in the oven and bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until the middle tops no longer look wet and the bottom of the cookies look slightly brown.
Then, bake the second tray.
STEP ELEVEN: Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for two to three minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
The cookies should be completely cooled before adding frosting.
STEP TWELVE: To make the frosting, place all the frosting ingredients (butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla) in a medium bowl.
Beat with a hand mixer on high until light and fluffy (about five minutes).
STEP THIRTEEN: Frost the tops of the cookies with a butter knife and top them with Halloween sprinkles.
Store in a covered food storage container in the fridge for four to six days.
PRO TIP:
Add sprinkles right away as the frosting dries a bit on the surface after a few minutes, and they won’t stick as well.
How To Serve
A plate of Halloween cookies will be a fun addition to your Halloween party or for a snack on the big day.
Enjoy them with a homemade pumpkin spice latte for the grown-ups and a whipped hot chocolate for the littles.
Create a unique dessert by making ice cream sandwiches with these cookies. Choose a classic vanilla or a pumpkin ice cream to go between two cookies.
Sugar cookies are classic and delicious. Try our no spread sugar cookies and swig sugar cookies.
MORE COOKIES RECIPES
Storing These Halloween Cookies
After baking a batch of these delightful Halloween sugar cookies, you’ll want to ensure they stay fresh and tasty. Here’s how to store and enjoy them to the fullest:
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your Halloween preparations, you can make the cookie dough ahead of time.
Simply prepare the dough, shape it into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to three months.
When ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before rolling and cutting into shapes.
ON THE COUNTER: Store the unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to five days.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store the frosting in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to three months. Freeze frosting for up to three months.
Why We Love These Cookies
FUN FOR ALL AGES: Baking and decorating Halloween sugar cookies is an activity the whole family can enjoy together. It’s a fantastic way to involve kids in the kitchen.
HOLIDAY TRADITION: Many families have their holiday traditions, and making Halloween sugar cookies can become one of yours.
PERFECT PARTY TREATS: Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party or just looking for a unique treat to share with friends and neighbors, these cookies are ideal.
The name of the game at Halloween is plenty of sweet treats, and is the perfect time for a batch of these soft sugar cookies. These Halloween sugar cookies would be great for parties or for a surprise before trick-or-treating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to transport homemade sugar cookies so they stay looking nice?
Store and transport these chewy cookies in a single layer so that the icing and sprinkles don’t get flattened.
What are the best cookie cutters to use for these Halloween decorated sugar cookies?
Stainless steel cookie cutters work well for these easy sugar cookies. Cover them in flour before using them so they don’t stick to the dough.
Does sugar cookie dough need to be chilled?
The sugar cookie dough does need to be chilled to ensure it is the right consistency to roll out and cut.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Ooey Gooey Cookies
- Edible Cookie Dough
- No Bake Monster Cookies
- DoubleTree Cookies
- Valentine Sugar Cookies
Halloween Sugar Cookies
These easy Halloween sugar cookies are the perfect spooky treats for all the scary Halloween creatures in your life.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 day 35 minutes
Servings 14
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2 cups cake flour
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large whole egg
- 1 large egg white
- ¼ cup shortening, all-vegetable
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cream of tartar and salt. Whisk together then set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, and the whole egg. Beat until well combined, scraping down sides of the bowl.
- Add in the egg white and beat until combined. Again, scraping down sides of the bowl.
- Add in shortening and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Beat just until mixed. Do not overmix.
- Cover bowl with plastic food wrap and place in the fridge overnight.
- Remove bowl from fridge and lay dough out on silicone mat. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to ½-inch thickness. Cut into large circles (3-inch size) using a cookie cutter.
- Place unbaked circle cookies onto a baking sheet and put back into the refrigerator (uncovered) for another hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Place cookies at least two inches apart on baking sheets.
- Only bake one tray at a time. Place the first cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the middle tops of the cookies no longer look wet and the bottom of the cookies look slightly brown. Then bake the second tray.
- Let the cookies cool on baking sheets 2 to 3 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies should be completely cooled before adding frosting.
- To make the frosting, place all frosting ingredients (butter, confectioners sugar and vanilla) in a mixing bowl and beat on high until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
- Frost the tops of cookies and top with Halloween sprinkles.
Notes
- Make a double batch of these yummy cookies and freeze them unfrosted for a treat later.
- Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, as melted butter will ruin your cookies. Let it sit at room temperature and it should be the perfect consistency.
- Do not skip refrigerating the dough. It needs to chill and stiffen so that it can be rolled out properly.
- If you have Halloween cookie cutters, you could use those in place of the circle cutter to cut out fun cookie shapes.
- Add sprinkles right away as the frosting dries a bit on the surface after a few minutes, and they won’t stick as well.
Nutrition
Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Gloria says
My kids are obsessed with these cookies!