Spooky Sugar Cookies

Spooky layered treats for Halloween parties! These fun Halloween cookies stack orange and black dough for a dramatic look that'll wow your guests. They're super easy to put together and taste amazing too. Let's check out what goes into making these eye-catching Halloween goodies that everyone will grab.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 3 cups all-purpose flour: Creates the foundation of your cookies and gives them their shape.
• 1 tsp baking powder: Makes your cookies puff up slightly for the perfect texture.
• ½ tsp salt: Brings out the sweetness and balances flavors.
• 1 cup butter (room temperature): Delivers that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• 1½ cups granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the edges crisp up nicely.
• 2 large eggs: Holds everything together and adds moisture.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract: Gives that classic sweet aroma and taste.
• 1 tsp orange gel food coloring (electric orange): Turns half your dough into bright Halloween orange.
• 1 tsp black gel food coloring (super black): Makes the second half deep black for that spooky contrast.
• Halloween sprinkles (optional): Adds a fun, festive touch around the edges.

HOW TO MAKE THEM

Step 1:

Mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Stir them together and put aside for now.

Step 2:

Beat the room-temp butter with sugar in another big bowl until it looks fluffy and pale. You'll need about 2-3 minutes with your mixer.

Step 3:

Drop in the eggs and vanilla, then keep mixing until everything's blended smoothly.

Step 4:

Slowly add your flour mix into the butter mixture, stirring until you've got soft, uniform dough.

Step 5:

Split the dough in half. Color one chunk orange and the other black with your gel coloring. Work each piece until the color spreads completely.

Step 6:

Shape each colored piece into a ball, press into rectangles, and wrap in plastic. Stick them in the fridge for 1-2 hours to get firm.

Step 7:

After chilling, roll each piece about ⅛ - ¼ inch thick. Place the black layer on the orange one, trim the sides for neat edges, then roll them together into a log.

Step 8:

Roll the log in Halloween sprinkles if you want extra pizzazz. Wrap it in plastic and chill for at least another hour.

Step 9:

Heat your oven to 350°F. Cut the cold log into ¼ - ½ inch slices and lay them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, keeping them 2 inches apart.

Step 10:

Bake for 10-12 minutes until they don't look shiny on top anymore. Cool them on a wire rack before you dig in.

Ways to Serve and Store

• These taste best when they've cooled to room temperature.
• Put them out at Halloween bashes, pack them in treat bags, or share them with neighbors and coworkers.
• Keep your cookies fresh in a sealed container at room temp for up to 5 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the unbaked dough log and slice off cookies whenever you want them.

Pro Chef Advice

• Alton Brown always says chilling dough isn't just for convenience - it actually makes cookies taste better and bake more evenly.
• Sally McKenney swears by gel food coloring because it won't water down your dough while giving you those bright, bold colors.

MIX IT UP

• Switch colors to match other occasions - try blue and red for Fourth of July or school colors for game day.
• Spice things up with a dash of almond extract or some cinnamon mixed into the dough.
• Finish with melted white or dark chocolate drizzled on top for extra indulgence.