Celebrate the season with these fun stenciled Halloween sugar cookies. as a fun project to make with the kids. The stenciling technique is so simple, and easy that you and the kids will have loads of fun. Give them as gifts and everyone will be impressed.
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Almost every year, I make the spooky witch fingers with the kids. I plan to share those with you this week too. And I make Halloween sugar cookies like the pumpkin and bats. You must remember my Halloween cupcakes with cute cupcakes toppers like witch's hats, brooms, cauldron, boots, and pumpkins. Those were really fun for the kids.
Last year, I picked these Halloween cookie stencils from eBay and I just knew I had to use them. As a cake decorator, I'd probably try some fancy way to use them but I wanted to keep it really simple so the kids will have some fun. I also wanted to use something natural rather than food gel colors or such. So, the cocoa paste works perfectly and it's delicious too.
Why make these sugar 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.
- Did you like stenciling when you were a kid? Well, now you will with these simple, easy and fun techniques. Everyone will be impressed with how easy this is. You can try different textures with just the consistency of the cocoa paste as well. This technique still has so much to explore.
- Below I have given you my easy recipe for no-spread vanilla sugar cookies. Of course, you can also use my very popular vanilla sugar cookies or my no-chill sugar cookies. I also have the chocolate sugar cookies as well as the eggless vanilla sugar cookies. You can use either for this technique.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Unsalted butter - I like to use unsalted butter in all my baking so I can control the amount of salt. And yet, if you must use salted butter omit the salt in the recipe.
- All-purpose flour - I always use all-purpose flour with great success. You do not need any other flour.
- Cornstarch - I never miss an opportunity to add cornflour, rice flour, or semolina. These add a nice crumbly melt in the mouthfeel. It also lightens the cookie.
- Powdered sugar - Also known as confectioners sugar or icing sugar. When looking for powdered sugar always buy one made from cane sugar, not beet sugar. You will find that the buttercream made from cane sugar does not have a grainy consistency.
- Vanilla extract - You can use vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste as well as vanilla sugar.
Step by step instructions
Cookie Dough
- Dry ingredients - combine the flour, cornstarch. (and cocoa powder if are making chocolate cookies)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the salt, vanilla extract, and eggs one at a time.
- Bring the dough together and divide it into two discs. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 to 2 hours.
- Once the dough is chilled, roll it on a lightly floured surface evenly.
Pro tip - I roll my cookies ⅛ inch or 3 mm thick using a rolling pin with spacers. - Use a 3-inch circle cookie cutter and cut cookies. Place the cookies on a baking tray and chill for at least 2 hours.
Pro tip - Chilling the cookies will make it easier to stencil. And the cookies won't spread when baking.
Cocoa paste
- Combine the cocoa powder and water to form a paste.
Pro tip - The ratio of cocoa powder to water is just a guide. What you looking for is a paste consistency
Stencil cookies
- Ensure cookies are firm to the touch. Place stencil on the cookie. Using a damp paintbrush lightly dipped in the cocoa paste.
- Hold the stencil firmly on the cookie which is why we need the cookies to be chilled well. Brush the cocoa paste on the stencil as shown in the video.
- When done – lift the stencil carefully to reveal the design. Place the cookies on a baking tray and chill them again.
Pro tip- Any minor cocoa paste smears can be cleaned gently with a wet paper towel
Bake & Cool
- Once the cookies are chilled again. Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C Gas Mark 5
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until just starting to get lightly golden on the edges.
- Cool on a cooling rack before you stack and store in the cookie jar.
More cookies you may like
- Rice Flour Sugar Cookies - Gluten-Free
- Christmas Star Cookies
- No Chill Sugar Cookies (No-Spread)
- Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
- BEST Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies
- See all cookies and all holiday cookies recipes
Frequently asked questions
Most cookies are best in the first few days of baking. However, sugar 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.
Follow the recipe correctly. Too much butter or sugar in the recipe can lead to cookies spreading. Similarly, too much baking powder or baking soda can also make cookies spread too.
Also, chill the cookie dough before rolling and chill the rolled cookies before baking.
I usually chill my cookies for about 15 to 30 minutes. It is always a good practice to refrigerate cookies while the oven is preheating. Chilling cookie dough helps solidify the butter in the cookies.
Sugar 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.
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Printable Recipe
Stenciled Halloween Sugar Cookies
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Video
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3 cups (375 g) All-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon (30 g) Cornstarch ((cornflour))
- 8 oz (226 g) Unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 cups (240 g) Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar/ icing sugar)
- 2 Eggs large
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Cocoa paste
- 4 tablespoon (30 g) cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoon water.
Instructions
Cookie Dough
- Dry ingredients - combine the flour, cornstarch. (and cocoa powder if are making chocolate cookies)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the salt, vanilla extract, and eggs one at a time.
- Bring the dough together and divide it into two discs. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 to 2 hours.
- Once the dough is chilled, roll it on a lightly floured surface evenly. Pro tip - I roll my cookies ⅛ inch or 3 mm thick using a rolling pin with spacers.
- Use a 3-inch circle cookie cutter and cut cookies. Place the cookies on a baking tray and chill for at least 2 hours. Pro tip - Chilling the cookies will make it easier to stencil. And the cookies won't spread when baking.
Cocoa paste
- Combine the cocoa powder and water to form a paste. Pro tip - The ratio of cocoa powder to water is just a guide. What you looking for is a paste consistency
Stencil cookies
- Ensure cookies are firm to the touch. Place stencil on the cookie. Using a damp paintbrush lightly dipped in the cocoa paste.
- Hold the stencil firmly on the cookie which is why we need the cookies to be chilled well. Brush the cocoa paste on the stencil as shown in the video.
- When done – lift the stencil carefully to reveal the design. Place the cookies on a baking tray and chill them again.Pro tip- Any minor cocoa paste smears can be cleaned gently with a wet paper towel
Bake & Cool
- Once the cookies are chilled again. Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C Gas Mark 5
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until just starting to get lightly golden on the edges.
- Cool on a cooling rack before you stack and store in the cookie jar.
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
Noel Lizotte
So pretty! and just a bit spooky! These look almost easy enough for me to make! You make things look so simple... thanks for helping build my confidence.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much, Noel. Yes, you definitely can make these.
Karyl Henry
Wow, what a fun idea! This definitely makes the cookies look super spooky. I'll have to give this a try for Halloween this year
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Karyl. You must give these a try.
Pavani
Wow, this is such a cute way to make Halloween cookies Veena. I have never done stenciling on cookies before, but it sounds like so much fun. Thanks for the idea.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Pavani. You must try stenciling. Kids love it.
Lauren Vavala
This is such a fun tutorial and the cookies really look spooky! I'm going to try this with my kids this year!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Lauren. Yes, these were definitely fun. Not so spooky according to my kids.
Claudia Lamascolo
wow what a beautiful work of art! I would love these but I do not have that creative patience you do. Your cookies are fabulous!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Claudia. These really are easy - you will be surprised.