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  1. Southern Living
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  5. 17 Halloween Sugar Cookie Ideas You Can Actually Do Yourself

17 Halloween Sugar Cookie Ideas You Can Actually Do Yourself

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors
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Ghost Cookies
Credit: Micah Leal
No easy, finger-food friendly dessert is as crowd-pleasing as sugar cookies. They take us back to days of elementary school birthday parties, digging into plastic boxes of those seasonally colorful varieties you can buy at the grocery store (which never seem to go bad…). So for a holiday so centered around sweet treats and goofy themes, sugar cookies are the perfect fix. Plus even picky kids can't complain.Sugar cookies don't have to be too complicated. While many recipes call for what feels like endless steps of rolling and refrigeration, ours is to the point. All you need is butter, sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, flour, and salt. Oh, and whatever, spooky, kooky, and ghoulishly good toppings you'd like. We've rounded up some creative ideas from across the web for you, like cheery little ghosts and goofy zombie eyeballs…Halloween is the perfect time to go all out, after all. And most of these recipes are so easy little ones can help decorate. Or, for an easy glaze, whisk together 2 1/2 Tbsp. water and remaining 2 cups powdered sugar. (Hey, we said they were tasty, not good for you.)Plus they provide the perfect canvas for going all-out thematically. Gussy yours up for your next Halloween gathering as spiders, mummies, and one-eyed monsters.
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Ghost Cookies

Ghost Cookies
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Ghost Cookies

Get ready for a very spooky Halloween with these easy-to-execute ghost cookies.

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Candy Corn Cookies

Candy Corn Cookies
Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Candy Corn Cookies

Ditch the bowl of sugary candy and switch it out for a plate of these cute Candy Corn Cookies.

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Mummy Cookies

Mummy Cookies
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Mummy Cookies

Melted vanilla-almond bark replaces icing and brings a nutty, savory quality to these Mummy Cookies.

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Spider Web Cookies

Spider Web Cookies
Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Spider Web Cookies

This simple design is equal parts spooky and elegant.

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Friendly Ghost Sugar Cookies

Friendly Ghost Sugar Cookies
Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Friendly Ghost Sugar Cookies

Who said ghosts have to be creepy? These cute, cuddly ghosts holding pieces of candy corn are oh-so-adorable.

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Candy Corn Cookies

Candy Corn Cookies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Candy Corn Cookies

Have an extra bag of candy corn sitting in the pantry? We've got the perfect way to put it to use.

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Say It With Icing Cookies

Say It With Icing Cookies
Credit: via annies-eats.com

We love that these cookies keep it crazy simple and to the point. “Boo” and “eek” get the point across without all the intricacies of other themed cookie tutorials. Get decorating tips from Annie Eats here.

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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Credit: Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Replicate that stunning porch display in dessert form with these Jack-o' Lantern Cookies.

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Zombie Eyeball Cookies

Zombie Eyeball Cookies
Credit: via hellowonderful.co

Cookies get a kooky twist with these goofy zombie eyeballs in fun colors. Plus, no cookie cutter required. Get decorating tips from Hello, Wonderful here.

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Mummy Cookies

Mummy Cookies
Credit: via cookincanuck.com

Another simple design, these make icing cookies a snap (though maybe a little messy too). A few strips of white icing transforms plain old round sugar cookies into spooky mummies. Get decorating tips from Cookin Canuck here.

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Halloween Candy Bucket Cookies

Halloween Candy Bucket Cookies
Credit: via sweetsugarbelle.com

Put that triangle cookie cutter to use again with these creative but simple Halloween basket cookies. Sweet sprinkles make for playful “candy” on the basket. Get decorating tips from Sweet Sugarbelle here.

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Mini Monster Cookies

Mini Monster Cookies
Credit: via thedecoratedcookie.com

How cute are these little one- (or three- or four-) eyed monsters? Playful colors and a few icing eyes make round cookies fun Halloween treats. Get decorating tips from The Decorated Cookie here.

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Candy Corn Mummy Cookies

Candy Corn Mummy Cookies
Credit: via javacupcake.com

These are the ultimate Halloween cookie, combining everyone’s favorites: spooky mummies and sweet candy corn. Plus all you’ll need is a simple triangle cookie cutter and some food coloring. Get decorating tips from Java Cupcake here.

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Happy Little Ghost Cookies

Happy Little Ghost Cookies
Credit: via sarahbakestudio.com

Tiny friendly ghosts are sure to put a smile on guests’ and ghouls’ faces. Plus, no need to get a special cookie cutter. This recipe repurposes your common flower shape. (Sarah’s Bake Studio used a tulip shape.) Get decorating tips from Sarah's Bake Studio here.

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Bubbling Cauldron Cookies

Bubbling Cauldron Cookies
Credit: via craftsy.com

These almost-too-easy bubbling cauldron cookies only involve three steps. As far as cookie icing goes, these are practically fool-proof. Get decorating tips from Craftsy here.

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Spooky Bat Cookies

Spooky Bat Cookies
Credit: via jennysteffens.blogspot.com

Black sprinkles take these precious bat cookies to the next level, adding easy but elevated detail. Get decorating tips from Everyday Occassions here.

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Spider Cookies

Spider Cookies
Credit: via munchkinmunchies.com

These smart cookies cleverly repurpose Christmastime peppermint cookie cutters into cute spider forms. The simplistic design makes this a perfect project for little hands. Get decorating tips from Munchkin Muchnies here.

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    1 of 17 Ghost Cookies
    2 of 17 Candy Corn Cookies
    3 of 17 Mummy Cookies
    4 of 17 Spider Web Cookies
    5 of 17 Friendly Ghost Sugar Cookies
    6 of 17 Candy Corn Cookies
    7 of 17 Say It With Icing Cookies
    8 of 17 Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
    9 of 17 Zombie Eyeball Cookies
    10 of 17 Mummy Cookies
    11 of 17 Halloween Candy Bucket Cookies
    12 of 17 Mini Monster Cookies
    13 of 17 Candy Corn Mummy Cookies
    14 of 17 Happy Little Ghost Cookies
    15 of 17 Bubbling Cauldron Cookies
    16 of 17 Spooky Bat Cookies
    17 of 17 Spider Cookies

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