Halloween Sugar Cookies

⏱️ Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Servings: 24 cookies

📝 Ingredients List

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric hand mixer
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (ghost, pumpkin, bat shapes)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Wire cooling rack

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well incorporated and set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale yellow. 🍪
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure no butter chunks remain.
4. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too soft, chill for 20 minutes.
5. Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Halloween cookie cutters to shape the dough.
6. Bake: Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until the edges are just barely golden. 🎃
7. Cool: Let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

💡 Pro Tips

• Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze the unbaked dough for up to 3 months.
• Perfect Texture: Make sure your butter is room temperature; if it is melted, the cookies will spread too much in the oven.
• Even Baking: Rotate your baking sheet halfway through the cooking time to ensure an even golden-brown finish on every cookie.

Variations

Change up your Halloween Sugar Cookies by adding a teaspoon of almond extract for depth or by dipping the cooled cookies in dark chocolate instead of traditional royal icing.

FAQ

Can I make these gluten-free? Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Do I have to chill the dough? While you can skip it if you are in a rush, chilling the dough for 30 minutes prevents the cookies from spreading and helps keep their fun Halloween shapes sharp!