Description
Welcome to the magical world of baking! If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat, these Halloween Swirl Sugar Cookies are perfect for you. Bursting with vibrant colors and a soft, chewy texture, they are sure to become your go-to Halloween dessert. Whether you’re hosting a spooky party or simply want to enjoy a sweet treat, these colorful cookies are an easy and delightful way to celebrate the season. Let’s dive into this Halloween Swirl Sugar Cookie recipe, and create some magic in the kitchen together!
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Food coloring (orange, purple, black, green)
- Black sanding sugar and sprinkles for decoration
These simple ingredients come together to create a flavorful, buttery cookie dough that you can easily customize with your favorite Halloween colors. Feel free to substitute the almond extract if you have nut allergies, or use gluten-free flour for those with dietary restrictions.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will ensure that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the sheet.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy. This step is essential for creating that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Add the Egg and Extracts: Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat until fully combined.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies.
- Color the Dough: Divide the dough into four equal portions. Add orange, purple, black, and green food coloring to each portion, kneading the dough until the colors are well incorporated. For vibrant cookies, use gel food coloring as it produces more intense hues.
- Create the Swirls: Roll each portion into a rope. Then, gently twist the ropes together to create a fun swirl effect. Flatten the swirled dough slightly to form your cookies.
- Decorate: Before baking, sprinkle black sanding sugar and Halloween-themed sprinkles on top of the cookies for an extra festive touch.
- Bake: Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the festive swirls and chewy texture of your cookies!
Equipment

2Pcs Heart Shape Cake Pans, Aluminum Heart Cake Mold, Reusable 10 inch
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Kids Chill Leak-Proof Lunch Box – Included Reusable Ice Pack Keeps Food Cold
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- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring works best for vibrant, bright colors without altering the consistency of the dough.
- Chill the Dough if Needed: If your dough becomes too soft to work with, you can chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to shape.
- Even Swirls: To create uniform swirls, make sure each dough rope is the same length and thickness before twisting them together.