Halloween cookies are a great project to help kids (and adults) get excited about the last day of October festivities. Here are a few spooky and sweet cookie decorating ideas!

Originally published October 31st, 2012.

Halloween Cookies – Decorating Ideas

Whenever I want to decorate cookies, I just make a batch of simple shortbread-type cookies. I then decorate them with piping bags, and plastic condiment bottles (they work great for filling in spaces!)

I use buttercream in the piping bags to outline the cookies and runny icing in the bottles.

Runny icing = confectioner’s sugar mixed with water or milk to a runny consistency, so it flows nicely filling in the cookie spaces, but not too thin that it runs out of the lines, mixed with the colors of your choice.

I learned calligraphy in high school but it’s difficult on cookies!

Easy spider web cookies can also be made on plain round cookies, no special cookie cutters necessary!

Here are some headstone cookie ideas.

R.I.P.,

Izzy Gone,

Rick R. Mortis,

Otto B. Alive,

Al B. Back,

and Myra Mains!

I love to decorate the pumpkin cookies then personalize them for children. They love them, too!

Just be sure to allow the flowing (soft) icing to set completely before adding the text. I usually allow them to set overnight, just to be certain that I won’t ruin what I’ve already done. This is a fun family project, or great to arrange when kids have a play date before Halloween. Encourage them to bake and cook whenever possible; it’s a wonderful skill to have.

These Halloween cookies are also great to give out to trick or treaters. Simply put one or two in a small, food-grade plastic bag with a twist tie. However, you probably only want to give them to children whose families know you (or they may get dumped, and that would be very sad)!

Here’s the cookie recipe I use. Simply skip the jam and icing with coconut instructions.

Yield: 24 double cookies

SNOW COOKIES, an LA Times Top Ten Holiday Cookie Bakeoff Favorite (Winner)

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An award winning buttery cookie with flavors of raspberry and coconut! Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup (8 oz) salted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (4 oz) sugar
• 2 cups (10 oz) good quality, sifted, all-purpose flour
• raspberry jam (like Mackay's or Bonne Maman-invest in good-quality jam, it will make your cookies taste better!)
• 4 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup (2 oz) milk
• finely shredded, unsweetened coconut (I like Let's Do Organic brand, which is propylene glycol free)

Instructions

1. Cream butter and sugar together, then add flour and mix until a dough forms.
2. Place half of the dough onto to a well-floured surface, and roll out to about 1/4" thickness. Cut with a round cookie cutter (I use a 2" or 2 1/2" cutter.)
3. Using a metal spatula or turner, lift each cookie then place onto a prepared cookie sheet (I like to use a silicone sheet) and bake in a 350º F oven for 8-10 minutes.
4. They should not start to brown. (I turn my trays around halfway through baking to make sure they cook evenly.)
5. Remove the tray from the oven and set aside for a few minutes before transferring cookies onto a cooling rack. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Allow to cool completely, then pair off similar shaped cookies together, placing the smoothest cookie on top.

Prepare the icing:

1. Mix together confectioner's sugar and milk; the icing should be the consistency of Elmer's Glue (it will look like it too!)
2. Spread or pipe some icing on each top cookie only; do not ice all of them. I love to use a condiment style bottle to do the outline, then fill in the center. It's really fun, and easy enough for kids to do!
3. Immediately sprinkle with coconut, and set aside with its mate. I usually let these dry overnight; they need at least 6 hours for the icing to set.
4. When the icing is dry, sandwich the cookies together with some raspberry jam. Place a few on a festive plate, or box them up for a lovely holiday gift!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

2 cookies
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 585 Total Fat: 22g Carbohydrates: 90g Protein: 6g

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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