Eyeball Halloween Cookies
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, and 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.
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 bite 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. It’s so easy to work with and so forgiving.
- The best part is that no chilling time is 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 were done by my Aadi and Rhea.
Step-by-step: Halloween eyeball cookies
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. A bowl and whisk would work great, too. - Add the vanilla or rose extract, followed by the flour and cornstarch. Bring it all together 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 eight pairs of eyes. Roll each portion into a ball and 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. Place a pupil on each eye slightly off-centered.
Pro tip – I like to place them off-center (but kids usually add them in the middle, and that’s okay, too—after all, it’s for Halloween).
Bake and paint
- Bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the sides begin to light color around the edges. Cool on a cooling rack until completely cold.
- When cooled, take red food coloring diluted with a little water. Use a fine-tipped 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 and cookies. The dough can stay in the fridge for 5 to 6 days before rolling and baking. You can also assemble the cookies, place them unbaked on a parchment-lined baking tray, and refrigerate them for about 3 to 4 days. Bake them 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.
Eyeball 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, 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
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) Butter unsalted, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (40 g) Powdered sugar
- 1 cup (125 g) All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch/cornflour
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract or rose
- 1 tsp Cocoa powder
- 1 tsp Butter soft room temperature
- 1 tsp Red gel food color
Method
- 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 tsp of flour or cocoa powder.
- 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 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.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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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.