Description
These Spiderweb Halloween Cookies are festive, fun, and perfect for celebrating the spooky season. Soft sugar cookies are topped with smooth white icing and decorated with intricate black spiderweb patterns, making them an eye-catching treat for Halloween parties or trick-or-treaters. Easy to bake and even easier to decorate, these cookies combine classic flavors with creative presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Black gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract fully until the wet ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown, indicating they are cooked but still soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baked cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which is essential to prevent the icing from melting.
- Make the Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, pipeable consistency. Adjust milk quantity as needed to get the right thickness.
- Color the Icing: Set aside a small portion of the white icing and color it black using gel food coloring, mixing thoroughly for an even shade.
- Decorate the Cookies: Spread a thin layer of white icing on the cooled cookies. Using a piping bag or small plastic bag with a fine tip, pipe three black concentric circles on top of the white icing.
- Create the Spiderweb Effect: While the black icing is still wet, drag a toothpick or skewer from the center of each cookie outward through the icing circles. Repeat this 5–6 times evenly around the cookie to form the spiderweb patterns.
- Set the Icing: Allow the decorated cookies to sit undisturbed until the icing sets completely, ensuring the design stays intact before serving or storing.
Notes
- Add candy spiders or Halloween-themed sprinkles for an extra festive touch and to enhance the spooky look.
- For a quicker preparation, use store-bought sugar cookie dough and focus on decorating the cookies yourself.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- This recipe is excellent for baking with kids as the decorating step allows for creativity.
