Decorated Pumpkins and Ghost Cookies
Delightful Halloween cookies decorated as pumpkins and ghosts, perfect for family activities and celebrations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for royal icing)
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder (for royal icing)
- 5-6 tablespoons water (for royal icing)
- Edible food coloring (for decoration)
- Chocolate chips (for decoration)
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until everything is combined well. The dough will be soft.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies retain their shape when baked.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Use cookie cutters in pumpkin and ghost shapes to cut out the cookies. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Royal Icing: In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth. Adjust the water for the desired consistency for icing.
- Decorate the Cookies: Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring to create orange for pumpkins and white for ghosts. Use piping bags or offset spatulas to decorate your cookies; add chocolate chips for eyes and festive sprinkles as desired.
- Let Icing Set: Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely before serving to ensure the icing hardens.
Notes
Chilling the dough is crucial for maintaining cookie shape during baking. Practice decorating techniques if you’re a beginner.