Description
Rich chocolate sugar cookies perfect for Halloween. Fun to decorate with royal or glaze icing, and ideal for parties or baking with kids.
Ingredients
1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
3/4 cup (62g) unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder, plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing or Easy Glaze Icing
Optional: Gel food coloring (orange, super black, mint green)
Instructions
1. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth (about 3 minutes).
3. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until combined.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. If sticky, add 1 tbsp flour.
5. Divide dough in two, roll each between cocoa-dusted parchment to 1/4-inch thick.
6. Stack, wrap, and chill dough for 1–2 hours.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
8. Cut chilled dough into Halloween shapes. Re-roll scraps as needed.
9. Bake for 11–12 minutes. Cool on sheet 5 mins, then transfer to wire rack.
10. Prepare royal or glaze icing. Tint with gel food coloring if desired.
11. Decorate cookies by outlining and flooding, or use sprinkles and candy eyes.
12. Let icing dry completely: 2 hrs for royal, 24 hrs for glaze.
13. Store cookies or freeze once icing is dry.
Notes
Use cocoa powder (not flour) for rolling to keep the cookies rich in color.
Let icing dry fully before layering or freezing.
Colors darken as icing dries — use less food coloring than you think.
Beginners can decorate with buttercream or just sprinkles — no pressure!
Freeze dough or baked cookies for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Halloween Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg