Halloween Eyeball Cookies – Shortbread Halloween Cookies
These Halloween eyeball cookies are the easiest treats you can create as a fun project with the kids this Halloween season. The shortbread cookie dough is simple, easy and effortless, very similar to play dough with no chilling time required in between. This means you can make the dough, bake and enjoy the cookies in just 20 minutes.
Eyeball cookies, Halloween eyeball cookies, Shortbread eyeball cookies, Halloween kids projects, 20 min cookies
Being an American family far away from the US means the kids miss out on Halloween fun. One of the things Ziv misses about being in the US is Halloween and Thanksgiving and he wished the kids would get to experience it. I hope someday they will, but for now, all we can do is tell the kids about these wonderful holidays and do a few things to celebrate with them.
The three projects that my kids have been doing every year since they were little are these Halloween eyeball cookies, witches finger cookies and the blood filled cupcakes. Well, it simply strawberry filling filled in a chocolate cupcake with a big purple frosting on top. It’s always fun to watch the kids bit into these and have the strawberry filling ooze out.
Not to mention as a cake decorator sometimes I make a few Halloween inspired project as well. You remember the Halloween cupcake toppers we made a few years ago? Witch’s broom, witch’s boots, witch’s cauldron, witch’s hat, fondant pumpkins, Skull, and bones cake toppers
How to make Halloween eyeball cookies, easy eyeball shortbread cookies, creepy Halloween eyeball cookies
About these Halloween eyeball cookies (Save/Pin)
Honestly, you won’t get an easier cookie than this. They make perfect kids projects for Halloween. The base is my popular white shortbread cookie which is as simple as playdough. So easy to work with and so forgiving. The best part is there is no chilling time required between steps which means these can be done from start to finish in about 20 minutes.
My kids love painting the red veins on the eyes and you can see that they do quite a good job. I painted only two of these cookies the others are done by my Aadi and Rhea. Then Rhea took them to her school to share it with the kids in class.
See my recipe for White Shortbread Cookies
Eyeball cookies, Halloween eyeball cookies, Shortbread eyeball cookies, Halloween kids projects, 20 min cookies
Halloween Eyeball Cookies – Shortbread Eyeball Cookies (Save/Pin)
Tools
How to make Halloween eyeball cookies, easy eyeball shortbread cookies, creepy Halloween eyeball cookies
Ingredients
- 1 batch – White shortbread cookies – recipe here
- Plus 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp butter (soft room temperature)
- and 1 tsp red gel food color.
Method
Prepare white shortbread cookie dough
- Preheat the oven at 180 C/ 340 F
- Prepare white shortbread cookie dough as described in the recipe and video below
Prepare chocolate dough for the pupils
- Take about 2 tbsp of the prepared dough in a separate bowl
- Add the cocoa powder and soft butter.
- Combine well until you have a smooth soft dough that can be rolled into a ball.
Form the eyes
- Divide the white shortbread cookies into 32 equal portions.
- Roll into a ball and onto flatten with the palm of your hand
- Place it on a cookie tray – leave some space between the cookies as they bake.
- Then roll the chocolate dough you just made into small balls, flatten and place it on the white cookie.
- I like to place them off center (but kids usually will add them in the middle – and that’s ok too)
Bake
- Bake them in the oven for 10 t0 12 minutes until the sides are beginning to lightly color.
- Cool on a wire rack before you pain the red.
- When cooled – use red food gel color – dilute it with a little water.
Paint
- Use a fine tip brush and paint the veins just like you would tree routes.
- Voila!!
Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
Eyeball cookies, Halloween eyeball cookies, Shortbread eyeball cookies, Halloween kids projects, 20 min cookies
Halloween Eyeball Cookies aka Shortbread Eyeball Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 batch White shortbread cookie dough recipe here
- 1 tsp Cocoa powder
- 1 tsp Butter soft room temperature
- 1/2 tsp Red food gel color
Instructions
Prepare white shortbread cookie dough
- Preheat the oven at 180 C/ 340 F
- Prepare white shortbread cookie dough as described in the recipe and video below
Prepare chocolate dough for the pupils
- Take about 2 tbsp of the prepared dough in a separate bowl
- Add the cocoa powder and soft butter.
- Combine well until you have a smooth soft dough that can be rolled into a ball.
Form the eyes
- Divide the white shortbread cookies into 32 equal portions.
- Roll into a ball and onto flatten with the palm of your hand
- Place it on a cookie tray - leave some space between the cookies as they bake.
- Then roll the chocolate dough you just made into small balls, flatten and place it on the white cookie.
- I like to place them off center (but kids usually will add them in the middle - and that's ok too)
Bake
- Bake them in the oven for 10 t0 12 minutes until the sides are beginning to lightly color.
- Cool on a wire rack before you pain the red.
- When cooled - use red food gel color - dilute it with a little water.
Paint
- Use a fine tip brush and paint the veins just like you would tree routes.
- Voila!!
Detailed Video on YouTube - Subscribe for more videos
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Must have cookie jar recipe collection by Veena Azmanov
I love these, so easy, but so so effective and easy.
Definitely so easy Helen
I just went to your video on You Tube and watched how to make them. They ARE super easy and how much fun it would be to include the kids in the project. I have 4 grandsons and the three are much older than the littlest one. I think I’ll include him in an eye project next year.
Thank you, Maraisa. Yes, the grandkids would definitely be all over these.
Veena, I have to admit these cookies are so spooky and gross that they are perfect for Halloween. They would be the hit of any Halloween party. Just plop one of those eyeballs in your mouth!! LOL! I can just imagine the kids giggling over them. You did a fantastic job on them.
Thanks, Marisa. My kids love making these with me. They are definitely perfect for Halloween.
Wow, you are a genius! This is really a great job. I add this recipe to Halloween. My kids will be delighted with this cookie. thank you
Thanks Dan, So happy you liked them so much.
What a fantastic idea! Deliciously. This recipe is perfect for Halloween party. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you, Mahy. Definitely perfect for Halloween
How cute are these?!? My son would love for me to make this on Halloween!
Thanks, Lauren. I hope you try this for him. .
you are so creative … your family is so lucky to have such a fun creative baker in the house. I love this idea and i have done donut eyeballs and deviled egg eyeballs, not cookies I cant wait to try them
Thanks, Claudia. I hope you try this. Cookies are easier.
Wow Veena, these cookies look so spookie! I love it. And my kiddo loves it to. Now I can’t wait for Halloween. These cookies will rock our party.
Thanks, Natalie. So happy your kiddo likes this. I hope you try these.
I totally know the feeling when you live abroad and miss Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love that you are still creating spooky memories for your family!
Thanks Jackie.
These eyeball cookie recipes do look amazing and I love that it’s a recipe my kids can help make!! And it looks EASY! I’m all about an easy baking experience with my kiddos!!
Thanks, Amanda. Yes, the recipe is very forgiving.
I just sent this to my sister—she is the room parent for my nephews class and will be making them for Halloween for his class!
Thanks Lorie. Let me know how what she thinks of them.
I love your recipe for eyeball cookies! These are super festive for Halloween and such a fun project to make with the kids. I bake with my toungest and niece, this is going to be our Halloween cookie!
Thanks, Eileen. Absolutely a fun project for the kids.
These are so clever and spooky! Perfect cookies for a Halloween party! I love that they come together with so few ingredients too.
Thanks Jenni. Yeah these are very easy.
How fun! These look awesome, Veena, and adorable for a Halloween tea party maybe ;D
Thanks Tammy. Yes, the kids love these.
These look super fun to make! Love the decoration (:
Thanks Nicolas
This are SO MUCH FUN! And the recipe is actually really simple and straightforward. Perfect for making with the kids!
Thanks, Kiki. Very simple for sure.
I love this recipe! It is just perfect for a Halloween party! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Anne
One of the most frustrating parts of making some cookie recipes with kids is that they have a chill time. Love that this one doesn’t need any time in the fridge AND how adorably you’ve decorated them. My 6-year-old would absolutely adore these cookies!
Yes, this does not have any chilling time so you can do it from start to finish.
I’m always looking for fun new Halloween recipes in the fall! The kids would love these!
Thanks, Kelly.
How fun!! These cookies look great and delicious! I just forwarded this recipe to my niece. She has a Halloween party every year and is always looking for creepy/fun recipes to serve at it. And I know she’s going to love it.
Thank you, Elaine. I hope she tries these.