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.
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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 cookies
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
Step by step instructions (pin)
Prepare white shortbread cookie dough
- Preheat the oven to 170 C/340 F.
- Cream butter for a minute then adds the powdered sugar. ( I use a bowl and whisk but you can use a stand mixer).
- 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 cooling 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.
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.
You may also like
- Stenciled Halloween cookies
- Fondant Pumpkin cupcakes
- Halloween cupcake toppers - witch's hat, broom, cauldron, boots, skull and bones
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Recipe
Description
Video
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup (227 g) Butter (2 sticks) unsalted, room temperature
- ¾ cup (90 g) Powdered sugar
- 1 ¾ cup (220 g) All-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp Cornstarch/cornflour
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Chocolate dough
- 1 tsp Cocoa powder
- 1 tsp Butter soft room temperature
Veins
- 1 tsp Red gel food color
Instructions
Cookie Dough
- Preheat the oven to 170 C/340 F.
- Cream butter for a minute then adds the powdered sugar. ( I use a bowl and whisk but you can use a stand mixer)
- 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.
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.
Shape 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 cooling 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!!
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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.