Halloween Sugar Cookie Shapes (Print Version)
Bake festive sugar cookies and decorate spooky Halloween shapes with colorful royal icing for a sweet seasonal treat.
# Ingredients:
→ Cookies
01 -
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 -
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
03 -
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
04 -
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
05 -
3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 -
1 large egg, slightly beaten
07 -
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Royal Icing
08 -
4 cups confectioners' sugar
09 -
1/4 cup meringue powder
10 -
Gel food coloring, for tinting the icing
# Steps:
01 -
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Incorporate the egg and vanilla. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients at low speed until fully combined. Divide the dough into 2 discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
02 -
Preheat oven to 175°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough between 2 sheets of parchment to 3 mm thickness. Cut out Halloween shapes and arrange on baking sheets, spaced 5 cm apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway, until bottoms turn golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
03 -
Re-roll dough scraps between parchment sheets. Chill for 1 hour, then repeat cutting and baking process.
04 -
Beat confectioners' sugar, meringue powder, and 80 ml water in a stand mixer at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5–6 minutes. Add gel food coloring as desired for decoration.
05 -
Dilute three-quarters of colored icing with water, 2.5 ml at a time, to create a consistency that flows back smoothly in 10 seconds after cutting. Transfer flood icing to a piping bag fitted with a number 2 tip. Place thicker icing in a piping bag with a number 1 tip.
06 -
Use various colored icings to decorate cookies for Halloween. Allow each layer to harden for at least 6 hours or overnight before adding layers or details.
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
Chilling the dough between rolling improves texture and prevents spreading during baking.