Chocolate Cats, Ghosts, Bats & Pumpkins
The best thing about Halloween is that it means the beginning of the holiday baking season. And although Halloween is not my favorite holiday, making Halloween cookies is a lot of fun. Ghosts and Jack o’Lanterns, cats and ghosts...what great shapes.
“During the day, I don't believe in ghosts. At night, I’m a little more open-minded.” Anonymous
The best way to eliminate the scary part of this fall holiday is to make yummy bites that make you smile. My favorite cookie dough for Halloween cookies is “Ultimate Chocolate Cutout Cookies.” Chocolate makes me feel calm and content, no matter how many little ghosties and goblins ring my door bell.
Special Note
The square Halloween cookies were inspired by a post on Lila Loa, Cookie Artist Georganne Bell’s blog. No cookie cutter required to make these fun and delicious bites.
Cookie specifics
Ultimate Chocolate Cutout Cookies. A chocolate-lover’s dream, these cutout cookies are rich and chocolatey. I use them as the cookie base for my chocolate cookie pops and ganache-filled sandwich cookies!
Classic Sugar Cookie. This classic sugar cookie brings back memories of the Christmas cookies my mother made during the holidays...with a bold vanilla flavor and slightly soft texture, they make me smile every time I eat one.
Note about the Cookie Pops. Many cookie pops are made with Oreo cookies, and they’re delicious, but I like to use my “Ultimate Chocolate Cutout Cookies” recipe. I sandwich them together with dark chocolate ganache and dip them in white chocolate. They are so-o-o yummy.
Shapes & Extras
standing cats, sitting cats, cat heads, pumpkins, Jack o’Lanterns, ghosts, bats, squares
Sizes
Sizes range from mini (2 inches) to large (4 inches). 2½ to 3 inches is my favorite size for decorating and eating!
Greetings & Messages
flowers for the EEK! and BOO! cookies
Special Equipment
lollipop sticks for the mummy pops
Cookie Recipe from This Talented Cookie Artist
Ultimate Chocolate Cutout Cookies. Original recipe from Lila Loa.
My Own Recipe
Classic Sugar Cookie. A recipe based on one from Mrs. Gregor, a neighbor of my mom’s when she was a newlywed.
Cookies
Classic Sugar Cookies: flour, butter, granulated sugar, egg, pure vanilla extract, baking powder, salt
Chocolate Cookies: flour, cocoa, butter, sugar, vegetable shortening, egg, baking powder, pure vanilla extract, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Royal Icing: confectioner’s sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
Glaze: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
White Chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, nonfat milk, vanilla
Sprinkles: Mini-eyeballs
Filling (for the Cookie Pops)
Ganache: rich bittersweet chocolate; either water, cream or coconut milk; vanilla extract
Plate, Box or Bag?
Box. The cookies that I gave by the dozen were packaged in cardboard bakery boxes with a clear window on top that made the contents visible to anyone who wanted to peek.
Bags. I wrapped the cookies I gave as individual gifts in clear, food-safe bags, secured with a twist tie. For the cookie pops, I then put the sticks into a styrofoam block inside a Halloween-themed box.
Mailing. I mailed cookies to my family and friends throughout the U.S. I always send them Priority Mail through the U.S. Post Office. I use the boxes provided by the Post Office and lots of bubble wrap! In almost all cases, the cookies arrive undamaged. I know the packages are appreciated when they arrive because of the texts I get with all those smiling faces.
What I’ve learned...
These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in a small batch of two dozen. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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