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.
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 projects 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
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
Useful Tips and Tools
- I’m not a slave to mixers. And yet, when you need some good creaming I have to insist that you use the K-Mix or Kitchen Aid.
- A good baking tray is always important. Try using a light colored baking trayBaking tray. Another option is to line the baking tray with Parchment Paper.
- If you aren’t going to fill or decorate these cookies a regular rolling pin will work just fine. And yet, a Cookie rolling pin has the side spacers that will also help you with rolling. So all your cookies are leveled and bake evenly too.
- Also, it is really important to cool cookies completely on all sides as soon as they come out of the oven. So take them off the baking tray to prevent them from cooking further and place them on an Cooking rack so they air circulates on all sides. This prevents steam from going back into the cookie thus…… keeping them crispy not soggy.
- Always bake cookies on the center rack of your Oven. If you have more than one tray simply bake them one at a time. You can bake two trays at the same time, and yet this can lead to some of the cookies in the bottom tray spreading too much. Also, you can rotate the trays during the baking. This is helpful with some cookies.
- Most cookies usually bake between 10 to 12 minutes. It took me about 10 minutes. Since cookies bake quickly they can also get over-baked. This is due to our tendency to get distracted at the last minute. Hence, my solution is a kitchen timer that is always set to 10 minutes. I turn it on as soon as I place the cookies in the oven. This has saved me many cookies since my kids always keep me busy.
Halloween Eyeball Cookies – Shortbread Eyeball Cookies (Save/Pin)
Prepare white shortbread cookie dough
- Preheat the oven to 170 C/340 F.
- Cream butter for a minute then adds the powdered sugar.
- Add the vanilla (or rose) extract.
- Next, add the flour and cornstarch – combine well.
- If the dough is too dry add a teaspoon or two of water.
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 flattening 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 roots.
- Voila!!
Frequently asked questions
Most cookies are best in the first few days of baking. However, shortbread cookies do have a longer shelflife. These cookies will keep well at room temperature for about 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
The cornstarch in these cookies gives use that crumble or pastry-like mouth-feel making it light and airy. If you don’t have cornstarch you can also use rice flour.
I like to control the amount of salt in my baking recipes so I always use unsalted butter but if you only have butter with salt, use it. But, make sure to omit salt in the recipes.
Shortbread cookies have a good shelf life as a dough as well as cookies. The dough, if wrapped well, can usually stay in the fridge for 5 to 6 days before rolling and baking. And you can even cover the cookies and place them on a parchment-lined tray, wrapped well with cling wrap, for about 3 to 4 days.
You certainly can. I wanted to keep these cookies white so I omitted any color from the spices.
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Halloween Eyeball Cookies aka Shortbread Eyeball Cookies
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Ingredients
FOR THE WHITE SHORTBREAD DOUGH
- 228 grams Butter unsalted
- 100 grams Powdered sugar
- 220 grams All-purpose flour
- 40 grams Cornstarch/cornflour
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
FOR THE CHOCOLATE DOUGH
- 1 tsp Cocoa powder
- 1 tsp Butter soft room temperature
FOR THE VEINS
- 1 tsp Red gel food color
Instructions
PREPARE WHITE SHORTBREAD COOKIE DOUGH
- Preheat the oven to 170 C/340 F.
- Cream butter for a minute then adds the powdered sugar.
- Add the vanilla (or rose) extract.
- Next, add the flour and cornstarch – combine well.
- If the dough is too dry add a teaspoon or two of water.
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 flattening 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 roots.
- Voila!!
Recipe Video
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Equipment
Nutrition Information
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Helen
I love these, so easy, but so so effective and easy.
Veena Azmanov
Definitely so easy Helen
Marisa Franca
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.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Maraisa. Yes, the grandkids would definitely be all over these.
Marisa Franca
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.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Marisa. My kids love making these with me. They are definitely perfect for Halloween.
Dan Zehr
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
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Dan, So happy you liked them so much.
Mahy Elamin
What a fantastic idea! Deliciously. This recipe is perfect for Halloween party. Thanks for the recipe!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Mahy. Definitely perfect for Halloween
Lauren Vavala
How cute are these?!? My son would love for me to make this on Halloween!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Lauren. I hope you try this for him. .
Claudia Lamascolo
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
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Claudia. I hope you try this. Cookies are easier.
Natalie
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.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Natalie. So happy your kiddo likes this. I hope you try these.
Jackie
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!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Jackie.
Amanda M Mason
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!!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Amanda. Yes, the recipe is very forgiving.
Lorie
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!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Lorie. Let me know how what she thinks of them.
Eileen Kelly
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!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Eileen. Absolutely a fun project for the kids.
Jenni LeBaron
These are so clever and spooky! Perfect cookies for a Halloween party! I love that they come together with so few ingredients too.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Jenni. Yeah these are very easy.
Tammy
How fun! These look awesome, Veena, and adorable for a Halloween tea party maybe ;D
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Tammy. Yes, the kids love these.
Nicolas Hortense
These look super fun to make! Love the decoration (:
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Nicolas
Kiki Johnson
This are SO MUCH FUN! And the recipe is actually really simple and straightforward. Perfect for making with the kids!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Kiki. Very simple for sure.
Anne
I love this recipe! It is just perfect for a Halloween party! Thanks for sharing.
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Anne
Ashley
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!
Veena Azmanov
Yes, this does not have any chilling time so you can do it from start to finish.
Kelly Anthony
I’m always looking for fun new Halloween recipes in the fall! The kids would love these!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Kelly.
Elaine Benoit
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.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Elaine. I hope she tries these.