9 Halloween Sugar Cookie Ideas You Can Actually Do Yourself

Ghost Cookies
Photo: 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.

01 of 09

Spider Web Cookies

Spider Web Cookies
Zoe Denenberg; Prop Styling: Rachel Mulcahy

Recipe: Spider Web Cookies

This simple design is equal parts spooky and elegant.

02 of 09

Say It With Icing Cookies

Say It With Icing Cookies
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.

03 of 09

Zombie Eyeball Cookies

Zombie Eyeball Cookies
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.

04 of 09

Mummy Cookies

Mummy Cookies
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.

05 of 09

Halloween Candy Bucket Cookies

Halloween Candy Bucket Cookies
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.

06 of 09

Mini Monster Cookies

Mini Monster Cookies
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.

07 of 09

Candy Corn Mummy Cookies

Candy Corn Mummy Cookies
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.

08 of 09

Happy Little Ghost Cookies

Happy Little Ghost Cookies
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.

09 of 09

Bubbling Cauldron Cookies

Bubbling Cauldron Cookies
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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