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Haunted House Cookies

These haunted house cookies are a playful treat made from simple dough that’s shaped into spooky figures like ghosts and bats. After baking until golden and slightly crisp, they’re decorated with royal icing to bring their eerie details to life, resulting in a charming, imperfect batch full of nostalgic chaos and fun. The final cookies have a delightful crunch with whimsical, spooky appearances.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 24
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Holiday
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Black or dark food coloring food coloring gel preferred
  • Royal icing for decorating set aside for at least 30 min

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie cutters or knives
  • Food coloring
  • Decorating tips and brushes

Method
 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy, about 3-4 minutes. You’ll notice it turns pale and slightly increases in volume.
  3. Crack in the egg and beat until fully incorporated, then add vanilla extract and mix again until smooth and fragrant.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding just until the dough comes together and is slightly sticky but manageable.
  5. Divide the dough into portions. Tint some with black or dark food coloring to create spooky effects, kneading gently until the color is evenly distributed.
  6. On a floured surface or using cookie cutters, shape the dough into eerie figures like ghosts, bats, or crooked pumpkins. Let your imagination run wild—rough edges and crooked faces add charm!
  7. Place the shaped dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each piece to accommodate spreading during baking.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and slightly crisp. The smell of baking cookies will fill the kitchen!
  9. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They will firm up as they cool.
  10. Once completely cooled, decorate your spooky cookies with royal icing or melted chocolate to add faces, eyes, and creepy details. Use decorating tips or brushes for precision.
  11. Let the decorated cookies set for at least 30 minutes, allowing the icing to firm up. Then, enjoy these imperfect, chaotic, and adorable haunted house cookies with friends and family!

Notes

For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading. Embrace the imperfections—crooked faces and cracked edges add to the spooky charm!