These eyeball Halloween 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, 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.
Table of Content
The three projects that my kids have been doing every year since they were little are these Halloween eyeball cookies, witches' finger cookies, and blood-filled cupcakes. Well, it is 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.
Why make these cookies
- 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.
Step by step instructions
Cookie Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 170°C/ Gas Mark 6
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and powdered sugar
Pro tip - you do not need a stand mixer for this recipe. Just a bowl and whisk would work great too. - Add the vanilla or rose extract. Followed by flour and cornstarch. Bring it all into a smooth disc.
Pro tip - If the dough is too dry add a teaspoon or two of water.
- For the chocolate pupils - Take a small golf size ball of vanilla dough and combine it with the cocoa powder and butter
Pro tip - Combine well until you have a smooth soft dough that can be rolled into a ball. If necessary add a teaspoon of flour or cocoa powder.
Shape the eyes
- Divide the white shortbread cookies into 16 equal portions to make 8 pairs of eyes. Roll into a ball then press down to make a flat disc as shown in the video.
- Place them on a cookie tray – leave some space between the cookies as they will puff slightly when baking.
- Divide the chocolate dough into 16 small balls and flatten them as well. Place a pupil on each eye slightly off-centered.
Pro tip - I like to place them off-center (but kids usually will add them in the middle – and that’s ok too. Afterall it's for Halloween).
Bake and paint
- Bake in the oven for 10 t0 12 minutes until the sides are beginning to light color around the edges. Cool on a cooling rack until completely cold.
- When cooled take red food color diluted with a little water. Use a fine tip brush and paint the veins just like you would tree roots.
Pro tip- if you use water-based color there is no need to dilute the color.
Frequently asked questions
Most cookies are best in the first few days of baking. However, shortbread cookies do have a longer shelf life. These cookies will keep well at room temperature for about 10 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Shortbread cookies have a good shelf life as dough as well as cookies. The dough can stay in the fridge for 5 to 6 days before rolling and baking. And you can also assemble the cookies, place them unbaked on a parchment-lined baking tray in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Bake chilled for a little longer on the day you want them.
You certainly can. I wanted to keep these cookies white so I omitted any color from the spices.
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Printable Recipe
Eyeball Halloween Cookies
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Video
Ingredients
Cookie dough
- ½ cup (113 g) Butter (unsalted, room temperature)
- ⅓ cup (40 g) Powdered sugar
- 1 cup (125 g) All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Cornstarch/cornflour
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract (or rose)
Chocolate pupils
- 1 teaspoon Cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Butter (soft room temperature)
Color for veins
- 1 teaspoon Red gel food color
Instructions
Cookie Dough
- Preheat the oven to 350°F / 170°C/ Gas Mark 6
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and powdered sugarPro tip - you do not need a stand mixer for this recipe. Just a bowl and whisk would work great too.
- Add the vanilla or rose extract. Followed by flour and cornstarch. Bring it all into a smooth disc. Pro tip - If the dough is too dry add a teaspoon or two of water.
- For the chocolate pupils - Take a small golf size ball of vanilla dough and combine it with the cocoa powder and butterPro tip - Combine well until you have a smooth soft dough that can be rolled into a ball. If necessary add a teaspoon of flour or cocoa powder.
Shape the eyes
- Divide the white shortbread cookies into 16 equal portions to make 8 pairs of eyes. Roll into a ball then press down to make a flat disc as shown in the video.
- Place them on a cookie tray – leave some space between the cookies as they will puff slightly when baking.
- Divide the chocolate dough into 16 small balls and flatten them as well. Place a pupil on each eye slightly off-centered. Pro tip - I like to place them off-center (but kids usually will add them in the middle – and that’s ok too. Afterall it's for Halloween).
Bake and paint
- Bake in the oven for 10 t0 12 minutes until the sides are beginning to light color around the edges. Cool on a cooling rack until completely cold.
- When cooled take red food color diluted with a little water. Use a fine tip brush and paint the veins just like you would tree roots.Pro tip- if you use water-based color there is no need to dilute the color.
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