When you are obsessed with all things spooky and sweet, Halloween is like a dream come true. The entire holiday is basically a field day for your taste buds. You can always make treats from scratch, of course — but if you are feeling lazy, or are pressed for time, good news: this Halloween ghost cookie recipe is so insanely easy, anyone can pull it off. All you need is four ingredients and about half an hour. No, this is not a prank.
Plus, the awesome thing about Halloween treat recipes is that they are usually made to look super cute and fun. This means prime Instagram material, obviously. Add it to the list of traditional fall activities, because before you know it, winter will be here.
If you are planning on hosting a Halloween party, consider getting everyone in on the fun. Turn it into a group activity and take lots of photos. Even the little ones can lend a hand, so you can be sure that they will stay occupied. Top it off by serving delicious Halloween drinks. (But only for the grown-ups, of course.)
To take these cookies up a notch, add sprinkles shaped like pumpkins and bats. You can find Halloween-themed sprinkles at most groceries and craft stores. Edible glitter and dust also work, especially if they are in a Halloween color palette. Think purple, orange, green, and black.
Most importantly, have a blast. That is what Halloween is all about.
Ingredients:
- Vanilla frosting, room temperature
- Oval cookies (Vienna Fingers or Nutter Butters)
- Chocolate chips
- Mini chocolate chips
1. Cover each cookie with an even layer of frosting. You can cover the entire cookie or just 3/4 of it, like I did. A butter knife comes in handy for this.
2. As you frost the cookies, place them on a metal cookie sheet. Make sure they don't touch.
3. Add two mini chocolate chips for the eyes, and a regular-sized chocolate chip for the mouth.
Alternatively, you can use a tube of black gel icing to make two dots for eyes. Want to switch up the facial expressions? Use the black gel icing to draw zig-zags, smiles, and more. Your ghosts, your rules.
4. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Pop in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. This will set the frosting just enough to reduce their stickiness.
So. Easy. Again, this Halloween treat calls for zero baking skills, so you can be sure it will be hard to mess up.
Don't limit yourself to frosting, though. Here are two alternatives that will turn store-bought cookies into charming little ghosts.
White Chocolate Chips
Are you a big fan of chocolate? Cover the cookies in white chocolate chips instead, like these from Ghiradelli on Amazon for $9.60.
1. Set up a makeshift double boiler. Fill a small pot halfway with water, then put the chips in a bowl that's slightly larger than the pot's opening. When you place the bowl on top of the pot, it shouldn't touch the water.
2. Heat over low-medium heat. Keep a close eye on the chips, because they shouldn't start bubbling or boiling.
3. Mix periodically to make sure the mixture stays smooth and uniform.
4. Spread onto the cookies. While you work, keep the stove top going so the chocolate doesn't harden.
White Candy Melts
Candy melts come in all sorts of colors, but you'll need simple white ones for this tutorial. These Wilton White Candy Melts from Amazon for $7.76 are perfect when you're in a pinch.
1. Place the candy melts in a heat-proof bowl.
2. Melt in the microwave according to the package's directions. Keep a close watch, and make sure it doesn't start bubbling.
3. Dip each cookie into the melted candy.
4. If the candy hardens, pop it back in the microwave.
And just like that, you've got yourself a scarily simple Halloween treat.
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