Jump to Recipe Print RecipeThe scent of rich chocolate wafted through my kitchen, instantly transporting me back to carefree autumn days filled with laughter and shared treats. These Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies are not just a delightful indulgence; they’re a celebration of the season, bringing joy to both kids and adults alike. Made in just one bowl in about 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for those spontaneous gatherings or late-night baking sessions that create cherished memories. With their soft, chewy texture and a playful crunch from seasonal M&Ms, these cookies are bound to be the star of any Halloween festivities. Ready to elevate your Halloween treat game and impress guests? Let’s dive in! Why Are These Cookies a Must-Try? Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of rich chocolate and crunchy M&Ms brings a delightful twist to traditional cookies. Quick and Easy: With only one bowl needed and about 30 minutes of your time, these cookies fit perfectly into any busy schedule. Festive Appeal: Their fun, colorful design makes them an instant hit at Halloween parties, captivating both kids and adults alike. Versatile Variations: Feel free to mix and match with different candies or even use peppermint for a holiday spin. Whether you’re nibbling on them at a spooky gathering or baking memories with your family, these cookies promise to be a treat everyone will love! If you’re in the mood for even more festivities, try our Cinnamon Sugar Air for a delightful snack! Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies • Delight in these festive cookies that will light up your Halloween gatherings! For the Cookie Base Unsalted Butter – Provides richness, ensuring a soft and tender cookie; use at cool room temperature for best results. Granulated Sugar – Adds necessary sweetness to balance the flavors. Egg – Binds the ingredients together, resulting in a chewy texture; room temperature eggs work best. All-Purpose Flour – Creates strength and structure; be sure to measure carefully for accuracy. Baking Powder – Acts as a leavening agent, helping achieve a light and fluffy cookie. Fine Sea Salt – Balances the flavors while enhancing the sweetness of the other ingredients. For the Decorating Icing Powdered Sugar – The base for your icing, providing a smooth consistency; sift to remove clumps. Milk – Adjusts the thickness of your icing to create the perfect drizzle; use whole milk for creaminess. Vanilla Extract – Adds a lovely flavor to the icing, enhancing the overall taste of the cookies. Food Coloring – Use orange and green to transform your icing into festive Jack-O’-Lantern faces! For the Toppings Halloween Sprinkles – Enhance the festive vibe and add playful color; choose your favorite mix! Candy Eyes – Sweet and fun; add them for extra personality to your Jack-O’-Lantern creations! Bring joy to your Halloween festivities with these Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies, sure to become a favorite among kids and adults alike! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. While the oven warms, gather all your ingredients and equipment, including a mixing bowl and an electric mixer, to streamline your baking process. Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter with both the granulated and brown sugars. Using an electric mixer, cream the mixture on medium speed for about 3 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is key to incorporating air into the batter, helping your cookies achieve a delightful texture that is both soft and chewy. Step 3: Incorporate the Egg and Vanilla Add one room temperature egg and one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugars. Beat on medium speed until fully combined, approximately 1-2 minutes. This addition not only binds the ingredients together but also enhances the overall flavor of your Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies, making them extra delicious. Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a smooth, sticky dough forms. Take care not to overmix; just blend until you see no flour streaks to ensure your cookies remain tender. Step 5: Decorate the Dough Gently fold in any desired toppings such as Halloween sprinkles or candy eyes using a rubber spatula. This is where the fun of shaping your Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies begins! Make sure the candies are evenly distributed throughout the dough for a festive look that’ll delight everyone at your Halloween gathering. Step 6: Scoop and Shape the Cookies Using a spring-loaded cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to spread as they bake. For extra flair, use your fingertips to gently shape them into pumpkin-like figures before baking. Step 7: Bake the Cookies Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; they should look puffy and slightly underbaked in the center. This appearance is perfect for achieving that soft, chewy texture that is the hallmark of great Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies. Step 8: Cool and Decorate Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. During this time, they will firm up slightly. Afterward, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can drizzle the decorated icing over your cookies to create playful Jack-O’-Lantern faces, enhancing their festive appeal! How to Store and Freeze Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies Airtight Container: Store your Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh and chewy. Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheating: To enjoy frozen cookies, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm treat. Decorating Tips: If you’ve already iced the cookies, place parchment paper between layers when storing; this prevents sticking and preserves their festive designs. Expert Tips for Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is at cool room temperature for easy creaming. If it’s too warm, your cookies may spread too much. Avoid Overmixing: Mix just until combined in Step 4 to keep your cookies tender. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies that lose their delightful chewiness. Shape Carefully: When shaping your cookies, make gentle pumpkin-like figures for a true Jack-O’-Lantern look. This adds a playful touch without compromising texture. Check Bake Time: Keep an eye on your cookies while baking; they should be puffy and slightly underbaked in the center for that perfect soft bite, characteristic of Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies. Let Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool fully before decorating. This prevents the icing from melting and losing its shape, ensuring your festive designs shine through! What to Serve with Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies? Indulge in the spirit of Halloween with a delightful spread that perfectly complements your rich and chewy cookies. Creamy Pumpkin Soup: This smooth, autumn-flavored soup adds a festive touch and balances the sweetness of the cookies with its savory taste. Apple Cinnamon Salad: The crunch of fresh apples with warm cinnamon provides a refreshing contrast that enhances your dessert experience. Chocolate Milkshake: A classic pairing that intensifies the chocolate flavor, making every bite of the cookie feel like a little celebration. Caramel Sauce Dip: Rich and gooey, drizzling caramel over the cookies adds a luscious sweetness that’s hard to resist. Spiced Chai Tea: The warm spices in chai tea beautifully complement the cookies, creating a cozy vibe that’s perfect for chilly evenings. Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve cookies à la mode for a delightful blend of soft cookie and cold ice cream, bringing joy to the whole family. Roasted Marshmallows: Toasted marshmallows add a nostalgic touch and a gooey texture, making them a fun, interactive treat at your Halloween gathering. Hot Cider: The comforting taste of warm apple cider, spiced with cinnamon, creates a soothing drink that enhances the holiday fun. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: Fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate offer a light, juicy, and elegant accompaniment to your festive cookies, balancing richness with freshness. Make Ahead Options These Double Chocolate Halloween Cookies are perfect for busy home cooks looking to save time! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance. Simply mix all the ingredients, scoop the dough, and place the cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze them until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for storage. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop them straight from the freezer into the oven, adding an additional minute or two to the baking time. This method ensures that your cookies stay just as delicious and chewy, making it easy to impress your guests—zero last-minute stress! Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies Variations Feel free to get creative with these cookies and make them your own; the possibilities are endless! Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend for an equally delightful cookie experience. Dairy-Free: Use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of unsalted butter to make this recipe dairy-free while keeping that tasty cookie texture. Different Seasonal Candies: Swap the Halloween sprinkles for seasonal Halloween-themed chocolate chunks or candy corn for extra flair! Spicy Pumpkin: Add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough for warm, comforting autumn flavors that complement the festive spirit. Chocolate Drizzle: After decorating, drizzle some melted dark chocolate over cookies for a decadent chocolatey twist! Nutty Crunch: Mix in chopped walnuts or pecans to add a delightful texture and a rich taste to each bite. Vegan Icing: For an entirely plant-based treat, use almond milk and a plant-based butter alternative in your icing. Lemon Zest: Brighten the flavors by adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough; it pairs wonderfully with the chocolate elements. These variations are designed to elevate your baking experience, letting you personalize every batch! If you’re seeking an easy yet fun recipe to complement these cookies, try our delightful Chocolate Chip Cookies, or add a twist to your breakfast with Cinnamon Sugar Air banana chips! Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies Recipe FAQs What is the best way to choose the right butter for my cookies? Absolutely! For making the best Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies, choose unsalted butter at cool room temperature. This ensures that you achieve a perfect creamy consistency with no risk of melting or spreading too much. How should I store my Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies? To maintain their chewy texture, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also place an apple wedge or a slice of bread in the container; this helps keep them soft longer! Can I freeze my Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies? Very! You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Here’s how: First, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Use parchment paper between layers to protect the icing if already decorated. Thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, delightful treat! What should I do if my cookies spread too much when baking? If your cookies spread excessively, check a couple of things. Firstly, make sure your butter was at the right cool temperature before creaming. Secondly, ensure you’re accurately measuring your flour; too little can lead to spreading. For future batches, chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can also help maintain their shape. Are there any common allergy concerns with these cookies? Absolutely! You might want to consider allergies related to the egg and dairy in the recipe. For a vegan version, you can substitute eggs with a flaxseed meal or applesauce. Always check your decorations too, as some sprinkles or candies may contain allergens like gluten or nuts. It’s always best to read labels carefully! How can I adjust the sweetness level if it’s too much for my taste? If the recipe seems too sweet, you can cut down on the granulated sugar by 1-2 tablespoons, which should balance the flavors nicely without compromising the texture of your Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies. Enjoy crafting these festive treats! Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies That'll Light Up Your Halloween Jack-O’-Lantern Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for Halloween gatherings, offering rich chocolate flavor and festive decorations. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 minutes minsCook Time 12 minutes minsCooling Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 30 minutes mins Servings: 24 cookiesCourse: DessertsCuisine: AmericanCalories: 150 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Cookie Base1 cup unsalted butter at cool room temperature1 cup granulated sugar for sweetness1 large egg room temperature2 cups all-purpose flour measure carefully1 teaspoon baking powder for leavening1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt to enhance sweetnessFor the Decorating Icing2 cups powdered sugar sift to remove clumps2 tablespoons milk use whole for creaminess1 teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor1 tablespoon food coloring orange and greenFor the Toppings1 cup Halloween sprinkles choose your favorite mix1/2 cup candy eyes for decoration Equipment mixing bowlelectric mixercookie scoopbaking sheetsparchment paperWhiskRubber spatulawire rack Method Step-by-Step InstructionsPreheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.Cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugars for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined, approximately 1-2 minutes.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a smooth dough forms.Gently fold in Halloween sprinkles or candy eyes using a rubber spatula.Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, and shape them into pumpkin-like figures.Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes until puffy and slightly underbaked in the center.Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.Drizzle the decorated icing on the cooled cookies to create playful Jack-O’-Lantern faces. Nutrition Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 30mgSugar: 10gCalcium: 1mgIron: 2mg NotesStore in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage. Decorate once cooled to prevent icing from melting. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
