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Haunted House Cookies

These spooky cookies are crafted using basic baking techniques like creaming, mixing, and decorating to create cracked, golden treats that resemble haunted houses. Made with butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, they develop a tender crumb and charmingly imperfect tops. Decorating with melted chocolate and sprinkles adds a playful, eerie touch perfect for Halloween festivities.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chocolate for decoration melted
  • spooky sprinkles spooky sprinkles optional for decorating

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Decorating brushes

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and fragrant — about 3 minutes. You’ll notice it turns pale and slightly increased in volume.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The mixture should become smooth and slightly thicker, with a glossy appearance.
  4. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, combining thoroughly until you smell a warm, inviting aroma.
  5. Gradually add the flour to the mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together — it should be soft but manageable, not sticky.
  6. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each dollop about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  7. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden around the edges and develop charming cracks on top, which resemble haunted house roofs.
  8. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes — this helps them firm up and makes decorating easier.
  9. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, use a decorating brush to apply melted chocolate carefully over the cookies, creating spooky, dripping effects.
  10. Sprinkle spooky decorations like tiny bats, pumpkins, or stars on the chocolate before it sets — this adds texture and playful Halloween flair.
  11. Let the decorated cookies sit until the chocolate is firm and glossy, then enjoy these charming haunted house treats with a glass of your favorite autumn drink.

Notes

For extra spooky effects, use white chocolate for ghostly accents or add edible glitter. Keep a close eye on baking time to prevent over-browning, and have fun decorating each unique haunted house!