These Skull Sugar Cookies are perfect for Halloween! Soft and sweet, they’re shaped like little skulls and decorated with fun icing. Kids and adults will love them!
Making these cookies is a blast! I enjoy decorating them with all sorts of colorful icing—it’s like art you can eat. Just be ready to share, or you might want to hide a few for yourself! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is your base for the cookies. If you need a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. It works well and keeps the cookies tasty!
Unsalted butter: Use real butter for the best flavor. If you’re dairy-free, coconut oil or a vegan butter can work great too. Just make sure they are softened for easy mixing!
Granulated sugar: Regular granulated sugar is perfect for sweetness. You can substitute it with coconut sugar for a more natural touch, but it might change the color of your cookies a bit.
Egg: This helps bind the ingredients together. If you want to make these cookies vegan, replace the egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tbsp water).
Meringue powder: This is key for the royal icing. If you can’t find it, you can use egg whites, but be sure to use pasteurized ones for safety.
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Royal Icing Consistency?
Getting the right consistency for royal icing is crucial for smooth decorating. You want it thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to spread easily.
- Start with your mixed icing: it should be about the consistency of thick honey.
- Use the “15-second rule” as a guide: drizzle a bit of icing into the bowl, and if it takes about 15 seconds to fully sink back into the icing, you’re good to go!
- If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar until you reach that perfect consistency.
- Remember, practice makes perfect—don’t be afraid to experiment a little!
Happy baking and decorating! These cookies will not only taste delicious but also look fantastic on any festive table. 🦴🍬
Skull Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
For the Sugar Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For Royal Icing and Decoration:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 9 to 10 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
- Gel food coloring: white, purple, black, blue, gold, teal, orange
- Edible gold shimmer or luster dust
- Piping bags and various small piping tips
- Skull-shaped cookie cutter
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cookie recipe requires about 1 hour for preparation time, plus an additional 8-10 minutes for baking and at least an hour to cool. Including drying time for the royal icing, it’s best to allow around 24 hours for everything to set beautifully. So, plan ahead to enjoy these festive treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough:
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, if using, until everything is well combined. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms. Divide the dough in half, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Bake the Cookies:
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your surface and roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using your skull-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookie shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
3. Make the Royal Icing:
While the cookies cool, make your royal icing. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water, beating on medium speed until the icing is thick and glossy, which should take about 7-10 minutes. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint them with gel food coloring. Use different colors like white, purple, black, blue, teal, orange, and mix in some gold shimmer dust if you’d like.
4. Decorate the Cookies:
Once your cookies are thoroughly cool, start decorating! Flood the skull cookie base with either white or purple royal icing and let it set to dry slightly, about 15-30 minutes. For the eyes and nose, pipe in blue or teal icing, and create the heart-shaped noses with black icing. Use black icing as well to outline and fill the mouth teeth. Finally, delve into the fun details: add swirls, floral motifs, and more with the complementary colors inspired by traditional sugar skull designs. For extra flair, sprinkle on some edible gold shimmer dust to highlight details and make them sparkle! Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely, preferably overnight, before handling or packaging.
Enjoy these beautifully decorated Skull Sugar Cookies, which are perfect for Day of the Dead or Halloween celebrations!
Can I Use Different Shapes for the Cookies?
Absolutely! While skull-shaped cookies are festive for Halloween or Day of the Dead, feel free to use any cookie cutter shape you like. Just keep an eye on the baking time, as different sizes may require adjustments.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 3-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re fully decorated and dry before freezing!
Can I Make the Dough in Advance?
Yes, you can! Prepare the dough and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before refrigerating. It will keep well for up to 2 days in the fridge. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling out and baking.
How Can I Achieve Smooth Royal Icing?
For smooth royal icing, be sure to mix it until it’s thick and glossy—about 7-10 minutes of beating should do the trick! If you find it’s too thick, add water a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Practice pouring the icing from a spoon can help you get a feel for it!
