Description
There’s something magical about Halloween that brings out our creativity, especially in the kitchen. Every year, my family looks forward to one special treat: Halloween sugar cookies frosted in buttercream. These cookies are a perfect blend of sweetness and nostalgia. I made a batch last weekend, and let me tell you, it was a hit with everyone—especially the kids! They loved decorating the cookies with spooky designs, and honestly, I couldn’t stop sneaking one (or two!) off the cooling rack myself. The buttercream frosting added a melt-in-your-mouth texture that perfectly complemented the soft sugar cookies. Plus, the vibrant colors of the frosting made them the ultimate festive treat for any Halloween gathering.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of these Halloween sugar cookies:
For the cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but highly recommended for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk for a lighter option)
- Gel food coloring in your choice of Halloween colors (orange, purple, black, green)
Instructions
For the Cookies:
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and continue mixing until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. This helps the cookies keep their shape when baking.
- Roll Out and Cut: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use Halloween-themed cookie cutters (like pumpkins, ghosts, and bats) to cut out shapes.
- Bake: Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- Beat the Butter: In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, about one cup at a time, beating on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Add Flavor and Texture: Mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, then increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into bowls and use gel food coloring to achieve your desired Halloween colors.
- Decorate: Use piping bags or a spatula to spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies. Get creative with the designs—spiders, pumpkins, witches’ hats, or just fun swirls of color!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 180