If you’re searching for a delightful, eye-catching dessert this season, look no further than Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations. These charming cookies combine the warmth of pumpkin spice with playful ghostly accents that can brighten any Halloween gathering. They’re soft, flavorful, and fun to decorate, making them a perfect treat for both kids and adults who want to celebrate with festive spirit and taste. This recipe is straightforward enough for beginners but offers plenty of room for creative decorating that will impress family and friends alike.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Seasonal Flavor: The pumpkin and warm spices capture the essence of autumn in every bite.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating the ghost shapes is a creative activity that kids will enjoy participating in.
Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies strike the ideal balance between tender and slightly chewy for a satisfying snack.
Easy to Customize: You can easily adjust the recipe for dietary preferences or add new decoration ideas.
Great for Parties: Their festive look makes them the perfect centerpiece to your Halloween dessert table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create cookies bursting with classic pumpkin flavor and a touch of sweetness. Each ingredient plays a special role, whether it’s adding moisture, spice, or helping the cookies hold their shape for decorating.

Pumpkin puree: Gives the cookies their rich, moist texture and signature pumpkin taste.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that ensures a sturdy yet soft cookie structure.
Baking soda and baking powder: Leavening agents that provide the perfect rise and softness.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger: Essential warm spices that bring out that classic autumn flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and keeps the cookies tender.
Sugar (both brown and granulated): Brown sugar gives moisture and depth, while granulated sugar adds sweetness and slight crispness.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the cookie’s soft texture.
Powdered sugar: Used later for making smooth ghost-shaped icing decorations.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds aroma.
Black decorating gel or mini chocolate chips: Perfect for creating ghost eyes and mouth details.

Variations for Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations

One of the best parts of baking Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations is how easily you can tweak them to suit your preferences and dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to experiment and make the recipe truly your own!

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend for a safe treat everyone can enjoy.
Vegan Version: Use coconut oil or vegan butter and replace the egg with flaxseed meal mixed with water.
Spice Variations: Add cloves or cardamom to intensify the autumn spice profile.
Different Decor Ideas: Swap ghost shapes for bats or pumpkins for a different spooky flair.
Nutty Twist: Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts to add crunch and depth.

How to Make Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by whisking together the dry ingredients—flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—in a bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with brown and granulated sugar until fluffy. Then, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, stirring just until the dough comes together. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough onto a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use ghost-shaped cookie cutters to cut out your cookies, gently transferring them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave a small gap between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.

Step 3: Bake

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them to avoid over-baking, which can dry them out. Remove the tray and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

Step 4: Make Ghost Decorations

While the cookies cool, mix powdered sugar with milk or water and a drop of vanilla extract to create royal icing with a smooth but pipeable consistency. Use white icing to cover the cookies entirely in a ghost shape. Once slightly set, add eyes and mouths using black decorating gel or miniature chocolate chips.

Step 5: Let Them Set

Allow the decorated cookies to dry for at least an hour so the icing hardens perfectly. This ensures the designs hold up during serving or gifting.

Pro Tips for Making Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations

Chill the Dough: This helps prevent spreading and retains the ghost shapes during baking.
Roll Evenly: Keep the dough consistent in thickness so all cookies bake uniformly.
Use Parchment Paper: It prevents sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.
Control Icing Consistency: Adjust powdered sugar and liquid carefully to get smooth yet firm royal icing.
Practice Piping: Use a small piping tip for finer details and steady hands for neat ghost faces.

How to Serve Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations

Garnishes

Sprinkle some edible glitter or orange sugar crystals over the icing before it sets to add sparkle and extra Halloween charm. A light dusting of cinnamon sugar around the plate also complements the cookie flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with warm drinks like spiced apple cider, hot chocolate, or pumpkin spice lattes, creating a comforting and festive snack break.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the cookies on a tiered cake stand or Halloween-themed platter decorated with fake cobwebs, mini pumpkins, and autumn leaves for an eye-catching centerpiece. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane topped with orange ribbons makes thoughtful homemade gifts too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keep layers separated with parchment paper to preserve the delicate icing decorations.

Freezing

You can freeze baked and decorated cookies for up to three months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then stack with parchment in a freezer-safe container.

Reheating

Warm cookies slightly in a microwave for 10-15 seconds if you prefer them soft and freshly baked, but be careful not to melt the decorations.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin puree?

Yes! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly in this recipe as long as it is pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling which contains added spices and sugar.

How long does the icing take to dry completely?

Icing typically takes about one hour to harden depending on humidity; for best results, let it dry overnight if possible.

Can I substitute the spices if I don’t have all of them?

Absolutely. Cinnamon alone provides excellent warmth, but you can also try pre-made pumpkin pie spice blends for convenience.

Is it okay to use chocolate chips instead of decorating gel for eyes?

Yes, mini chocolate chips are a simple and mess-free alternative that still looks adorable on the ghosts.

Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?

Definitely. Just make sure you have enough chilling time for the dough and space on your baking sheets to avoid overcrowding.

Final Thoughts

Making Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations is such a rewarding way to celebrate the season with both flavor and fun. Whether you’re baking with family, decorating for a party, or gifting something special, these cookies bring warmth, creativity, and that unmistakable autumn magic right to your kitchen. So grab your ingredients, get your cookie cutters ready, and dive into a Halloween baking adventure you’ll cherish every year!

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations

Print Recipe

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations are soft, chewy, and bursting with classic autumn flavors of pumpkin and warm spices. These festive cookies are easy to bake and fun to decorate, making them a perfect seasonal treat for both kids and adults. Featuring charming ghost-shaped icing details, they bring a delightful, playful spirit to any Halloween gathering.

Author: Sarah
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour)

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter/coconut oil for vegan version)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg (or flaxseed meal mixed with water for vegan version)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)

Decoration Ingredients

1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk or water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Black decorating gel or mini chocolate chips (for ghost eyes and mouth)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour (or gluten-free blend), baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well combined. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with brown and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree, mixing until smooth. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make rolling easier and to maintain the cookie shape during baking.
Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour a clean surface and roll the chilled dough out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use ghost-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Transfer the cookies carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving small gaps between each for slight spreading.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Watch closely to prevent over-baking, which can dry the cookies. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Make Ghost Decorations: In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar with milk or water and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, pipeable royal icing consistency. Use the white icing to completely cover each cookie in the ghost shape. Allow the icing to set slightly before adding eyes and mouth details using black decorating gel or mini chocolate chips.
Let Them Set: Allow the decorated cookies to dry at room temperature for at least one hour so that the icing hardens fully, ensuring the decorations stay intact during serving or gifting.

Notes

Chilling the dough helps cookies hold their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
Roll the dough evenly to ensure uniform baking and consistent texture across all cookies.
Use parchment paper to line baking sheets to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
Adjust the consistency of the icing by adding powdered sugar or liquid gradually to achieve smooth and firm royal icing.
Practice piping the icing with a small tip and steady hand for neat ghost facial features.
Store the cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to preserve decorations.
Freeze baked and decorated cookies in a single layer before stacking for preservation up to three months.
Warm cookies briefly in the microwave to soften, but avoid melting the decorations.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Halloween cookies, pumpkin cookies, ghost decorations, autumn dessert, spooky treats, pumpkin spice cookies, festive Halloween baking