Description
These adorable Ghost Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for Halloween! With simple vanilla flavor and fun decorating, they’re ideal for kids and families. Easy to make and even easier to love, these ghostly treats will become your go-to Halloween dessert tradition.
Ingredients
2¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
2–3 tablespoons milk or water (for icing)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
Mini chocolate chips or black decorating gel (for eyes and mouths)
White gel food coloring (optional)
Instructions
1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts until fully incorporated.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
5. Divide dough in half, shape into flat disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out ghost shapes and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are barely golden and centers look slightly underdone.
9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely (20-30 minutes).
10. Prepare icing by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Decorate cooled cookies with white icing and add chocolate chip eyes and mouths.
Notes
Chill cookie dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading during baking.
Cookies are done when edges are just set – they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan.
Store decorated cookies in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
Freeze unbaked dough or baked undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.
For easier rolling, work with one dough disk at a time while keeping the other refrigerated.
Use parchment paper under and over dough when rolling to eliminate need for excess flour.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: ghost sugar cookies, Halloween cookies, sugar cookies for kids, Halloween desserts, decorated sugar cookies, Halloween baking