Introduction to Easy Halloween Cookies
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, I can’t help but feel that familiar excitement for Halloween. Easy Halloween Cookies are my go-to treats for festive gatherings! They are quick, fun, and adaptable, making them perfect for busy days when time is precious. Whether you need a delightful dessert for a school party or a cozy treat for family movie night, these cookies deliver joy without the fuss. Plus, the vibrant colors and playful candy toppings are sure to impress your loved ones. So, let’s dive into this simple recipe that captures the spirit of the season!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Halloween Cookies
One of the best parts about these Easy Halloween Cookies is how quick they come together. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a batch of delightful treats that taste as good as they look! They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with festive flavors. Plus, the best part? You can customize the toppings to match your mood, making every batch uniquely yours. What’s not to love?
Ingredients for Easy Halloween Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making delicious Easy Halloween Cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour: The base for our cookies, providing the structure and texture.
- Cornstarch: Optional, but it helps create a softer cookie. If you don’t have it, no worries!
- Baking soda: This gives the cookies a nice lift, ensuring they’re fluffy and tender.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the overall flavor of your treats!
- Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled, it adds richness and creates that lovely melty texture.
- Light brown sugar: For sweetness and moisture, plus it gives a hint of caramel flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve that beautiful golden color.
- Egg: One large egg binds everything together, creating a chewy texture.
- Egg yolk: The extra yolk adds richness and keeps the cookies soft.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of this magic ingredient boosts the flavor profile significantly!
- Halloween M&M’s: The star of the show, adding color and a burst of chocolate goodness.
- Halloween sprinkles: Fun sprinkles with candy eyes add a whimsical touch, perfect for the spooky season!
For exact measurements and a handy printable version, check the bottom of the article. Happy baking!
How to Make Easy Halloween Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This little bowl of goodness is the foundation of your easy Halloween cookies. Mixing the dry ingredients separately helps ensure even distribution, so every bite is uniformly tasty!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Next, grab your stand mixer and beat the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed. It takes about four minutes for your mixture to become light and fluffy. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl, as those sneaky sugar granules love to hide!
Step 3: Add in the Eggs and Vanilla
Now it’s time to add in the egg, egg yolk, and that magic splash of vanilla extract. Beat until everything is just combined—around 20 to 30 seconds. Those eggs are key to achieving that rich, chewy texture in your cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
With the mixer on low, slowly add your dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently, taking care not to overmix. Overbeating can lead to tough cookies, and who wants that? Your dough should look soft and a little shaggy, like a cozy Halloween ghost!
Step 5: Mix in M&M’s and Sprinkles
Using a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, it’s time to fold in the Halloween M&M’s and colorful sprinkles. This is where the fun begins! I love seeing all the colors swirl into the dough, transforming it into something festive and delightful.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover your dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least two hours. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect cookie thickness. If you have the patience, chilling overnight works wonders too! It’s all about that delightful chewy bite!
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop to drop heaping tablespoons of the chilled dough onto the prepared sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a lovely golden brown. You’ll know it’s almost time when your kitchen fills with that warm, tempting aroma!
Step 8: Add Decorative Toppings
Once the cookies are out of the oven, let them cool for just a minute or so before placing a couple of candy eyes and more M&M’s on top. This step is like adding the finishing touches to your little Halloween masterpieces. They’re adorable and scream festive!
Step 9: Cool and Serve
Let the cookies cool on the pan for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This little cooling period allows them to set perfectly! Once they’re cool, serve them to family and friends—watch out for the smiles as they dig into these easy Halloween cookies!
Tips for Success
- Make sure your butter isn’t too hot when mixing to avoid scrambling the eggs!
- Chill the dough to create thicker, chewy cookies—don’t skip this step!
- For even baking, rotate your baking sheet halfway through the baking time.
- Feel free to swap in your favorite candies to make the cookies uniquely yours.
- If you want a stronger vanilla flavor, add a little extra!
Equipment Needed
- Stand mixer: If you don’t have one, a hand mixer will work just fine!
- Baking sheets: Use any flat baking surface; just ensure it’s lined with parchment paper.
- Cookie scoop: A spoon can do the trick if you don’t have a scoop!
- Mixing bowls: Any medium bowl will suffice for mixing ingredients.
- Wire rack: A simple plate can be a temporary cooling option if needed.
Variations for Easy Halloween Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Twist: Substitute half of the M&M’s with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips for a rich, decadent flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
- Nutty Delight: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients for a warm autumn flavor.
- Vegan Friendly: Replace butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons water) for a plant-based treat.
Serving Suggestions for Easy Halloween Cookies
- Milk or Hot Cocoa: Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cozy cup of hot cocoa for a delightful treat.
- Festive Platters: Arrange cookies on a spooky-themed platter to enhance your Halloween vibe.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream between two cookies for indulgent dessert.
- Decorative Bags: Package them in cute Halloween-themed bags for party favors or gifts.
- Coffee Pairing: Serve alongside a warm cup of coffee to balance the sweetness.
FAQs about Easy Halloween Cookies
Can I make these Easy Halloween Cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and chill it in the fridge. Just remember to let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature before scooping and baking. This way, you can enjoy warm cookies whenever you want!
What can I use instead of Halloween M&M’s?
If you can’t find Halloween M&M’s, feel free to use regular M&M’s, chocolate chips, or even other festive candies like candy corn. The goal is to add that festive spirit to your cookies!
How should I store leftover cookies?
Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about a week, though I bet they won’t last that long with a family around! You can also freeze them for up to three months if you want to save some treats for later.
Can I change the sprinkles to match my party theme?
Of course! Using different sprinkles or themed toppings fun allows you to personalize these Easy Halloween Cookies even more. Use spooky sprinkles or chocolate decorations to match the event—get creative!
What’s the best way to ensure my cookies are chewy?
Chilling the dough is key for that chewy texture. It firms up the fat, which ultimately helps the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much while baking. Trust me, this simple step makes all the difference!
Final Thoughts
As the aroma of these Easy Halloween Cookies wafts through my kitchen, I can’t help but smile. Each batch becomes more than just a treat; it transforms into a cherished moment shared with family and friends. Baking these cookies together can spark laughter, stories, and a sprinkle of joy in the air.
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply enjoying a cozy night in, these cookies are sure to bring happiness. So, embrace the festive spirit, don your aprons, and let’s create delicious memories one cookie at a time!
Print
Easy Halloween Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously easy Halloween-themed cookies, perfect for festive gatherings!
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (170 g or 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup (200 g) packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup Halloween M&M’s
- ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles with candy eyes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat on medium speed the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl when necessary.
- Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Beat until combined, 20 to 30 seconds.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the dough. Be careful not to over beat.
- With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in the M&M’s and sprinkles by hand.
- Cover cookie dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop a heaping tablespoon of the chilled cookie dough. Shape it into a ball and place onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for about 12 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
- When the cookies are still warm, add a couple candy eyes and M&M’s on top for presentation.
- Cool cookies on the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is not too hot when mixing with sugars to avoid cooking the eggs.
- Chilling the dough helps to create thicker cookies.
- Feel free to customize the candy toppings according to your preference!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
