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Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with Ghost Decorations
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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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

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

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/halloween-pumpkin-cookies-with-ghost-decorations/