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Halloween Sugar Cookies

These festive sugar cookies are baked until golden with crisp edges and a tender center, serving as a perfect blank canvas for spooky decorations. Made with butter, sugar, flour, and eggs, they are shaped into fun Halloween silhouettes and decorated with colorful icing and sugar for a playful, eerie touch. Their charming imperfections make them both delightful and seasonally appropriate.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 24
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar superfine preferred for smooth dough
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • assorted colored sugars & icing gel food colors recommended for vibrant decorations

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack
  • Piping bags & tips

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Gather your cookie cutters—think bats, ghosts, or pumpkins—and have your rolling pin ready.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smells slightly sweet, about 3-4 minutes. This creates a smooth, pale mixture that forms the base of your dough.
  3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, beating until fully combined. You'll notice the mixture becomes silky and slightly glossy.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together and feels soft yet manageable.
  5. Divide the dough into two equal disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough relax and makes it easier to roll out without sticking.
  6. Remove one disk from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness, maintaining an even surface. The dough should feel firm but pliable as you roll.
  7. Use your chosen cookie cutters to cut out spooky shapes from the dough. Gently transfer the shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
  8. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until their edges are just golden. Keep a close eye near the end to avoid overbaking, which can make them crisp and less tender. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Once cooled, decorate your cookies with royal icing, colored sugars, or edible glitter. Use piping bags and tips to add spooky details like eyes, smiles, or cobwebs. Allow the decorations to set before handling or stacking.
  10. Store the decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze them for longer storage. Enjoy your festive treats during your Halloween celebration!

Notes

Chilling the dough is crucial for maintaining shape. Use vibrant gel food colors for decorations to prevent bleeding. Decorate with firm icing for crisp details.