If you’re looking to bring a little festive fun and sweetness to your Halloween celebrations, this Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are soft, buttery, and perfectly spiced with hints of vanilla and almond, while the vibrant orange and black sanding sugar adds that unmistakable spooky charm. Easy to make and utterly delicious, these cookies will quickly become a treasured seasonal treat to share with family and friends, making your Halloween parties that much more memorable.

Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients that work together to create the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. From the buttery richness of the unsalted butter to the subtle twist of almond extract, each component plays a role in crafting these delightful cookies.

3 cups (360g) all purpose flour: Provides structure and the tender crumb we’re after in sugar cookies.
1/2 tsp cornstarch: Helps create an extra soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

1 tsp baking soda: Gives just the right amount of lift without overpowering the cookie’s tenderness.
1/2 tsp salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors beautifully.

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature: The key to rich flavor and perfect cookie softness.
1 1/2 cups (297g) granulated sugar: Sweetness and that satisfying slight crunch from the sanding sugar coating.
1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds a bit of richness.

1 tsp vanilla extract: Classic warmth that complements any sugar cookie recipe.
1/8 tsp almond extract: A subtle, nutty note that takes these cookies from ordinary to extraordinary.
Orange and black sanding sugar: The festive touch that transforms these cookies into Halloween stars.

How to Make Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. In a small bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Setting this mixture aside allows you to combine all the dry ingredients evenly with the wet later on, which is crucial for the perfect cookie texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together for about a minute until your mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step creates the ideal creamy base that will help your cookies rise just right while staying tender.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until everything is fully combined. The almond extract adds a wonderful depth of flavor that makes these cookies uniquely special and slightly unexpected.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed or folding gently with a spatula by hand. Avoid overmixing; just combine until you no longer see dry streaks of flour. The dough should be soft but firm enough to handle.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar the Cookies

Prepare two small bowls filled separately with orange and black sanding sugar. Using a cookie scoop, form dough balls about 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized and roll each ball in the colored sugar to coat thoroughly. Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on a silicone-lined baking sheet, because they’ll spread slightly as they bake.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies in batches for 12 to 14 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are just beginning to turn golden while the centers remain soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack—this helps them set and keeps them from breaking.

How to Serve Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe

Garnishes

For a bit of extra flair, sprinkle a pinch of orange or black sanding sugar just before baking, or drizzle with a thin glaze of vanilla or lemon icing after the cookies cool. Tiny candy eyes or edible glitter also make fun, festive touches that amp up the Halloween mood.

Side Dishes

Pair these sugar cookies with a warm mug of spiced apple cider, rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent treat. These combinations perfectly complement the cookie’s buttery sweetness and festive flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange your Halloween sugar cookies on a tiered platter interspersed with mini pumpkins, autumn leaves, or themed napkins to create a charming Halloween dessert table. You can also stack them in a clear jar or gift box tied with black and orange ribbon—making them a lovely homemade gift or party favor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay deliciously soft and flavorful for up to one week, perfect for snacking long after the Halloween fun winds down.

Freezing

You can freeze unbaked dough balls by placing them on a tray until firm, then transferring them to a sealed container or freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. Baked cookies also freeze well if you want to make a batch in advance.

Reheating

To refresh slightly soft cookies, warm them in a preheated oven at 300ºF for about 5 minutes. This revitalizes their texture and brings out the aromatic flavors freshly baked cookies are known for.

FAQs

Can I substitute almond extract if I don’t have it?

Yes! If almond extract isn’t available, just use an extra half teaspoon of vanilla extract or a drop of lemon extract to still add a subtle additional flavor without overpowering the cookie.

What’s the best way to roll cookies in sanding sugar?

Using separate bowls of colored sanding sugar works best. Roll the cookie dough balls gently but completely till coated to get that beautiful sparkling crust that makes these Halloween sugar cookies stand out.

How thick should I make these cookies?

Form dough balls approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons in size and place them spaced 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. This ensures they bake evenly and don’t spread into one flat mass.

Why add cornstarch to the cookie dough?

Cornstarch is the secret to amazingly soft sugar cookies. It gives the dough a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that plain flour alone can’t achieve.

Can I decorate these Halloween sugar cookies with frosting?

Absolutely! Royal icing or buttercream works wonderfully on cooled cookies, making them perfect for kids to customize with spooky faces or festive patterns.

Final Thoughts

Whipping up this Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe is such a joyful way to celebrate the season and share some sweetness with loved ones. The combination of buttery dough, subtle extracts, and festive orange and black sugar makes these cookies a must-have for your Halloween festivities. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to treat every year—so roll up your sleeves, preheat that oven, and get baking!

Halloween Sugar Cookie Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 5 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Celebrate Halloween with these festive and delicious Halloween Sugar Cookies. Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, they’re coated in vibrant orange and black sanding sugar to add a fun and spooky crunch. These easy-to-make cookies are perfect for parties, trick-or-treaters, or just indulging in a festive treat.

Instructions

Preheat and Prep Dry Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Set this bowl aside for later use.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Extracts: Crack in the egg along with the vanilla and almond extracts. Beat again on medium speed until all the ingredients are fully incorporated, about 30 seconds.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on a low speed or fold by hand using a spatula, just until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Shape and Coat Cookies: Portion the dough using a cookie scoop to form balls. Pour 1/4 cup of colored sanding sugar (use separate bowls for orange and black sugar) and roll each dough ball in the sanding sugar to coat thoroughly.
Arrange and Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on a silicone-lined or parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in batches if necessary.

Baking Time: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden but the centers remain soft.
Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Halloween cookies!

Notes

Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.

Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough cookies.
You can substitute almond extract with additional vanilla extract if desired.
Roll cookies in sanding sugar for a festive look; you can use any color sugar depending on the occasion.

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
Category: Dessert, Snack, Cookies
Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 30g)
Calories: 150

Sugar: 13g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 7g

Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g

Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1.5g

Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: Halloween cookies, sugar cookies, festive cookies, butter cookies, holiday baking, Halloween treats