When the candy bowl is thinning out, homemade treats give you something to set aside. This list ranges from iced skull cookies and almond-tipped witch fingers to soft pumpkin cookies, monster whoopie pies, and bat-themed cupcakes. Some are quick to make, while others need chilling before baking. Check the longer times before you start, then save a few for yourself before the Halloween sweets disappear.
Day of the Dead Cookies
Colorful skull designs make Day of the Dead Cookies a standout for Halloween or Día de los Muertos, and the recipe yields 24. The total time is 2 hours 10 minutes, including chilling. Flour, butter, egg, sugar, and royal icing form the base for bright decorations. Since the cookies can be made ahead or frozen, decorate them early and save a few before the candy bowl gets picked over.
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Witch Fingers Cookies
Pointed almond tips and a raspberry-jam detail give Witch Fingers Cookies their spooky look, and the 20-cookie batch takes 1 hour 27 minutes. Butter, confectioners’ sugar, flour, egg, raspberry jelly, and almonds make the shaped cookies, with an hour of resting time before baking. Start them before party preparations fill the kitchen, then leave a few aside before they disappear with the candy.
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Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters
Bright orange and green monster fillings give Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters a playful look, and the recipe makes 11 in 20 minutes. Cocoa, butter, milk, egg, powdered sugar, vanilla, and food coloring make the chocolate cookies and colored filling, finished with candy eyes and white chocolate chips. Their hand-held shape suits a Halloween tray, but set one aside before the other sweets vanish.
Get the Recipe: Whoopie Pie Halloween Monsters
Spiced Pumpkin Roll Cookies
A swirled design helps Spiced Pumpkin Roll Cookies stand out on a fall cookie plate. The recipe yields 12 and takes 2 hours 40 minutes, including a two-hour chill. Butter, sugar, egg, flour, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and turmeric season the dough. Most of the time is hands-off chilling, so bake them ahead and keep a few for the quieter part of Halloween night.
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Spooky Bat Oreo Cupcakes
Cookie wings and candy eyes turn Spooky Bat Oreo Cupcakes into a Halloween dessert with a clear bat shape. The recipe yields 12 cupcakes and takes 20 minutes, using premade chocolate cupcakes, Oreos, candy eyeballs, butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, and cream. Frosting and decorations do most of the work, making these a quick addition to the party sweets. Save one for yourself before the candy bowl wins.
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Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies
Thick pumpkin cookies topped with caramel cream cheese frosting bring Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies to the Halloween dessert spread. The batch makes 10 and takes 25 minutes, with pumpkin puree, butter, brown and white sugar, vanilla, pumpkin spice, cream cheese, and caramel sauce. The frosting makes each cookie stand out beside wrapped candy, so reserve one before setting the rest out.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies
Spooky Halloween Cookies for Parties
A decorated batch makes Spooky Halloween Cookies for Parties an easy fit for a seasonal dessert table. It yields 16 cookies and takes 2 hours 35 minutes, including chilling. Butter, sugar, egg yolk, flour, confectioners’ sugar, water, black food coloring, and mini marshmallows make the cookies and decorations. Plan for the chill time, then put a few away from the candy bowl to enjoy later.
Get the Recipe: Spooky Halloween Cookies for Parties
Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Pecans
Soft centers and chopped pecans make Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Pecans a fall treat to tuck away before the candy is gone. The 12-cookie batch takes 30 minutes, using pumpkin puree, butter, brown and granulated sugar, flour, pumpkin spice, and pecans. Their tender texture contrasts with crisp packaged candy, and the short total time makes it easy to add homemade cookies to a Halloween plate.
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Cookie Monster Cookies
Oversized blue cookies packed with chocolate pieces give Cookie Monster Cookies a bold look for a spooky dessert tray. The recipe makes 12 and takes 1 hour 2 minutes, including a 30-minute chill. Butter, brown and granulated sugar, blue food coloring, chocolate chips, Oreos, chocolate chunks, and whole chocolate cookies fill each cookie. Put a few aside before the candy bowl empties, especially if you like a substantial treat.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Monster Cookies