an assortment of halloween cookies

21 Halloween Cookie Ideas: Scarily Delicious Cookie Designs

Halloween is just around the corner. This holiday, which is celebrated with costumes, stories of ghouls and ghosts, and sweet treats, is a favorite among many, both young and old.

What better way to mark the holiday than with delicious Halloween cookies? From classic choices like oatmeal and sugar cookies to 3D-designed meringue ghosts, there's something for every level of baker.

Whether you're hosting a spooky party, preparing for the neighborhood tradition of "booing," or simply looking for a fun activity to enjoy with the kids, baking and decorating cookies is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.

Keep reading to find the best Halloween cookie ideas and designs that will be a hit at any gathering.

1. Candy Corn Cut-Out Cookies

Candy corn cut-out cookies are bright and festive, making them the perfect Halloween treat if you're looking for an easy Halloween cookie recipe. Simple sugar cookies take on the iconic tri-colored design of candy corn, delighting your eyes and taste buds while capturing the season's essence in every bite.

2. Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Warm and deliciously soft pumpkin spice cookies envelop you in autumn's sweet embrace. This Halloween cookie recipe is super simple since it uses store-bought sugar cookie dough as the base. Then, you can infuse it with cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree for extra flavor.

3. Ghost Sugar Cookies

One of the easiest Halloween cookie designs to create is ghost sugar cookies. These treats are delightfully spooky, shaped like phantoms, and adorned with simple icing features, bringing charm and chills to any Halloween celebration.

4. Halloween Sandwich Cookies

Halloween sandwich cookies are a double-layered delight filled with rich, creamy centers and eerie designs. These sandwich cookies are a visual and tasty treat that features a luscious filling in between two delicious cookies. To make the treat even spookier, add edible glitter or candy eyes.

5. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Combine autumn's favorite squash with rich chocolate to create pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Soft, moist, and brimming with spices, these cookies offer a harmonious blend of sweetness and warmth.

To bake this easy Halloween recipe, you only need to know how to make chocolate chip cookies. The only difference is that you'll incorporate pumpkin puree with the wet ingredients and add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients. This will infuse the dough with these classic autumn flavors.

6. Skeleton Gingerbread Cookies

Simply take your favorite gingerbread cookies and use intricate icing to sketch out delicate bones. The monochrome design of these cookies evokes the spooky spirit of Halloween while adding an elegant touch to any Halloween spread.

7. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms combine the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter cookies with a sweet chocolate center. Their soft, chewy texture paired with chocolate makes every bite a delightful experience. Plus, they're perfect for gatherings or as a simple treat.

8. Halloween Slice-and-Bake Cookies

Slice-and-bake Halloween cookies are effortlessly festive and every busy parent's dream. Swirls of orange, black, and purple dough come together to form delightful patterns. This treat is perfect for last-minute events or unexpected Halloween gatherings. Just slice, bake, and enjoy!

9. Spider Cookies

Whimsical yet eerie, spider cookies are a Halloween delight featuring a Hershey's Kiss as the head and a soft sugar cookie as the body. Let these cookies come alive with fine icing legs sketched on, and don't forget their candy eyes to make them irresistibly cute.

10. Ghost Meringue Cookies

Ghost meringue cookies are crafted from whipped egg whites and sugar, giving them a delicate form that stands tall and resembles playful phantoms. Add a couple of chocolate eyes to make them a visual and tasty treat.

11. Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies are one of the most popular types of cookies. To add a Halloween twist, they're often infused with fall spices and adorned with candy add-ins and ghoulishly good designs. These cookies transform into the perfect seasonal treat with a chewy texture that can impress at any fall birthday party.

three halloween-themed truffles in the shape of bats

12. Halloween Truffles

Halloween truffles offer a bite-sized thrill. Covered in rich chocolate and adorned with spooky sprinkles or designs, these creamy confections captivate the palate and eye. Halloween truffles are a delightful treat in a festive package.

13. Biscotti Ghost Cookies

Biscotti ghost cookies elevate the classic treat. Their crunchy texture and whimsical design make them a conversation starter at any Halloween gathering. Shaped and glazed to resemble ghosts, they're a delightful pairing with your favorite autumn brews. The sweet and savory contrast makes them an irresistible snack during chilly fall evenings.

14. Coffin Whoopie Pies

Delightful coffin whoopie pies are a morbidly sweet treat. Shaped like miniature coffins, these cake-like sandwiches hide a rich, creamy filling within. Make your own whoopie pies or purchase them at the store and cut them into coffins.

15. Bone-Shaped Meringue Cookies

Blend whimsy and eeriness this Halloween with bone-shaped meringue cookies. These delicate confections are crafted from airy meringue and take the shape of bones, making them playful and fitting for the season.

16. Witch Hat Cookies

Enchant this Halloween with witch hat cookies. These cookies capture the iconic silhouette of a witch's hat by using a pointed cone shape paired with a round cookie base. Dip them in dark chocolate, decorate them with colorful sprinkles, or use icing to create a buckle design.

17. Monster Cookies

These monster cookies are a Halloween favorite bursting with color. Use food coloring on your dough to create one-of-a-kind, colorful cookies. Add candies, sprinkles, and chocolate chips to enhance their wild appearance and complete the look with googly candy eyes.

18. Candy Corn Cookies

Candy corn cookies are a vibrant nod to the iconic Halloween treat. Mix your dough as you would for chocolate chip cookies, but instead of adding chocolate chips, replace them with candy corn to capture the essence of fall and Halloween.

19. Mummy Cookies

Mummy cookies offer a blend of fun and flavor. Use a cookie of any flavor as your base, then wrap them in layers of white icing or fondant to mimic mummy bandages. Use candy eyes for a dash of playfulness.

20. Dracula Cookies

Bring the king of vampires to life this Halloween with Dracula cookies. To create this unique cookie design, slice your favorite cookie in half to make Dracula's mouth and lips. Then, use marshmallows for the teeth, almond slices for the fangs, and red frosting for the gums.

21. Halloween Pinwheel Cookies

Halloween pinwheel cookies have a mesmerizing squirm of colors. Alternating layers of orange, black, and purple cookie dough are rolled together to create a magical spiral effect when sliced, creating a delightful blend of flavors in each bite.

mother and daughter having fun while decorating halloween cookies

With these ideas for Halloween cookies, you'll need a few decorating tips to take your designs to the next level. Follow these tips to create delicious treats that'll be the talk of your Halloween party:

  • Use themed cookie cutters. Start with Halloween-themed cookie cutters like bats, witches, pumpkins, ghosts, and tombstones to set the foundation for your spooky designs.
  • Use royal icing. Royal icing can help you create detailed lines for mummy cookies. The icing dries hard, allowing you to stack the cookies when you're done.
  • Use piping bags and tips. Invest in a good set of piping bags and tips for precision.
  • Try edible markers. Edible markers are great for drawing on cookies, allowing you to add intricate designs like spider webs, skeletons, and scary jack-o-lantern faces.
  • Grab your candy eyes. Many of the cookie ideas for Halloween we've shared use candy eyes. You can get these at most craft and baking stores to add an animated look to any cookie.
  • Stick to Halloween colors. Choose oranges, blacks, purples, greens, and whites to ensure even the simplest designs scream Halloween.
  • Consider glow-in-the-dark effects. You can find edible glow-in-the-dark food colors and gels to make your cookies shine in the darkness.
  • Practice beforehand. Before working on the final cookies, practice your designs on parchment paper or a silicone mat to help refine your skills.

Enjoy Halloween with Spooktacular Cookies

Halloween is the perfect occasion to let your creative juices flow in the kitchen. This holiday is synonymous with treats, and what better way to embrace it than by baking and serving a range of delicious and spooky cookies? Each of these Halloween cookie ideas captures the essence of Halloween while promising a burst of flavors that delight any palate.

While homemade cookies have a unique charm, sometimes time isn't on your side. If you're pressed for time or looking for a professional touch, shop our fall cookie gifts and Halloween cookie treats. Our curated selection promises festive flair and delicious goodies that will be remembered long after the last bite.

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