27 Halloween Cookie Designs to Try for a Spooky Sweet Celebration
Halloween is one of those holidays where creativity takes center stage. From costumes and pumpkin carving to haunted house setups, there’s always room to add a personal touch. And when it comes to treats, nothing captures the festive spirit better than cookies. With endless shapes, colors, and themes to play with, cookies let you blend baking with artistry. Imagine pulling out a tray of cookies that look like spooky ghosts, playful pumpkins, or even creepy spiderwebs—it’s like edible décor!
In this guide, we’ll walk through 27 Halloween cookie designs you can try at home. Some are simple and beginner-friendly, while others let you flex your artistic skills. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing for a party, or just looking to make your fall evenings cozier, these cookie ideas are perfect for the season.
1. Classic Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin-shaped cookies are the heart of Halloween baking. Using a pumpkin cookie cutter, you can create cheerful or spooky faces with bright orange icing. The fun part is in the details—drawing different jack-o’-lantern smiles, from goofy grins to eerie scowls. These cookies can be decorated with simple lines for kids or intricate designs if you’re feeling creative. They’re the kind of cookie that instantly says “Halloween” when someone sees them. And if you’re hosting, a platter full of glowing pumpkin cookies will be gone before you know it.
2. Ghostly White Cookies
Ghost cookies are simple yet striking. Start with a basic round or bell-shaped cookie, then flood it with smooth white icing. Add two big black eyes and maybe a little round mouth for the classic “boo!” look. Kids love these because they’re easy to decorate. You don’t need fancy tools—just a piping bag and some edible black marker. They work as both cute and spooky, depending on how you style them. Serve them on a dark tray for contrast, and they’ll look like they’re floating right at your guests.
3. Creepy Spiderweb Cookies
Spiderweb cookies bring a touch of eerie elegance. Bake round sugar cookies and cover them in black, white, or even dark purple icing. Then, pipe concentric circles in a contrasting color and drag a toothpick from the center outwards to form a perfect web. It’s oddly satisfying to watch the design take shape. You can even place a tiny candy spider on top for extra effect. These cookies are a conversation starter, and they look like something straight from a haunted bakery.
4. Witch Hat Cookies
A witch’s hat is a Halloween symbol we all recognize. You can make them with triangle-shaped cookies or cut-out hat templates. Decorate with black icing for the base, then add a colorful band—purple, orange, or green—around the brim. Top with a tiny candy “buckle,” and you’ve got yourself a whimsical treat. Witch hat cookies look fantastic as a centerpiece on your dessert table, especially when paired with other witch-themed treats like broomstick candy or cauldron cupcakes.
5. Candy Corn Cookies
Candy corn might divide opinions as a candy, but as cookies, it’s a winner. These cookies are usually triangular, decorated in three layers of yellow, orange, and white. They’re bright, cheerful, and instantly recognizable. You don’t even need to love candy corn to enjoy these. They’re a nostalgic nod to Halloween and add a playful pop of color to your spread. If you’re short on time, simply dip baked cookies into colored candy melts for a quick version.
6. Mummy Wrapped Cookies
Mummy cookies are both spooky and adorable. Start with round or oval cookies covered in white icing. Then, pipe strips of white across them to mimic bandages, leaving little gaps for eyes. Add candy eyes, and suddenly you’ve got a treat that looks like it might come to life. These are especially fun to make with kids because the “messier” the bandages, the better they look. They’re a perfect mix of creepy and cute, making them crowd-pleasers.
7. Black Cat Cookies
Nothing says Halloween like a black cat. Use cat-shaped cutters, or simply round cookies decorated with cat faces. Cover with black icing, then add striking yellow or green eyes. You can even give them arched backs and pointy ears for extra character. Black cat cookies bring that mysterious, slightly mischievous vibe to your dessert table. Superstitions aside, these little feline treats are sure to be loved.
8. Haunted House Cookies
If you want a showstopper, haunted house cookies are it. These usually take more time, but the result is worth it. Using a house-shaped cutter, decorate with black and purple icing, then add yellow windows glowing with light. Add spooky details like bats, ghosts, or spiderwebs on the walls. They look like edible haunted mansions and can be customized with different levels of scariness. They make a fun baking project for adults who enjoy a challenge.
9. Bone-Shaped Skeleton Cookies
Bone cookies are a playful nod to skeletons. With a bone-shaped cutter, cover them in white icing, and maybe add cracks or shading with edible markers. They look especially good when placed in a pile, like a boneyard. Kids enjoy these because they’re both creepy and a bit silly. Pair them with skull cookies for a full skeleton set. They’re great for classroom parties or themed movie nights.
10. Vampire Fang Cookies
For a bite of spookiness, vampire fang cookies are perfect. Make oval cookies, then decorate them with a wide, toothy grin. Add sharp white fangs and a few drops of red icing “blood.” These cookies capture the fun of classic vampire stories and make a bold addition to your Halloween spread. You can also keep them cartoony or go more realistic, depending on your style. Either way, they’re bound to make people smile.
11. Cauldron Cookies
Witches’ cauldrons bubbling with mysterious brews make fantastic cookie designs. Use round cookies and decorate with black icing for the pot. Then, top with green or purple icing that looks like liquid bubbling over the edge. Add candy sprinkles for “magic potion” ingredients, like eyes or stars. These cookies are both creative and fun, especially if you enjoy experimenting with bold colors. They add a magical, whimsical flair to your Halloween dessert table.
12. Frankenstein Cookies
Frankenstein’s monster is another Halloween classic. With a rectangular cookie base, cover in green icing and add black “hair,” stitches, and bolts. You can make him look scary or friendly, depending on your preference. Frankenstein cookies are a favorite for kids’ parties because they’re recognizable and playful. They also don’t require extreme precision, so even beginners can pull them off. Put them next to mummy cookies, and you’ve got yourself a monster mash.
13. Skull Cookies
Skull cookies can range from cute to gothic. Decorate them with plain white icing for a simple look, or go all out with Day of the Dead-inspired colorful patterns. Add flowers, swirls, and bright details to make them stand out. They can be sweet, spooky, or even elegant. Skull cookies are versatile, making them a must-try design for Halloween bakers who love creativity.
14. Bat Cookies
Bat cookies are simple but impactful. Use a bat-shaped cutter and decorate with black icing, leaving space for tiny white eyes. You can make them flying, hanging, or clustered together. Bats are a symbol of Halloween night, and cookies shaped like them add a spooky charm. They’re easy to make in bulk, making them a practical choice for large gatherings.
15. Eyeball Cookies
Few cookies are as creepy as eyeballs staring back at you. Use round cookies covered in white icing, then add a colored iris and black pupil. Red icing lines create a “bloodshot” effect that makes them look disturbingly real. Kids find them hilarious, and adults often admire the creativity. Eyeball cookies are one of those Halloween cookie designs that really get a reaction at parties.
16. Zombie Hand Cookies
Zombie hand cookies are delightfully creepy. Using a hand-shaped cutter, decorate with pale green or gray icing. Add small lines or “veins” with a fine piping tip, and use red icing for a little gory effect at the fingertips. These cookies have that fun horror vibe without being too scary for kids. They look especially cool when arranged as if “emerging” from a cookie tray or cake board. Making zombie hand cookies is a great way to let your inner horror fan shine while keeping your baking creative.
17. Witch Broomstick Cookies
Broomstick cookies are surprisingly easy yet charming. Use thin rectangular cookies or cut a rectangle shape from sugar cookie dough. Frost the handle in brown or black and create the bristles with short, jagged icing strokes or even mini pretzel sticks. These cookies are playful and whimsical, perfect for adding a magical element to your Halloween spread. They also pair nicely with witch hat or cauldron cookies for a cohesive theme.
18. Haunted Tree Cookies
A haunted tree is an elegant and spooky Halloween motif. Round or irregular-shaped cookies can be decorated with dark brown icing for twisted branches. Use black icing to add small ghosts, bats, or even glowing eyes peeking through the branches. Haunted tree cookies look dramatic on a dessert table, and they allow for artistic expression with the shape of the branches. They’re an excellent choice if you love adding a touch of gothic flair to your Halloween treats.
19. Spider Cookies
Spider cookies are fun, especially when paired with spiderweb designs. Start with a round cookie base, add black icing for the body, and pipe legs extending outward. You can use mini chocolate chips or candy for the eyes. These cookies look playful rather than scary, making them great for kids’ parties. They’re also quick to make in bulk, which is ideal if you’re hosting a Halloween event with lots of guests.
20. Monster Face Cookies
Monster face cookies are wildly versatile. Use round cookies and decorate each one with a unique “monster,” varying colors, eyes, and mouths. Go for friendly monsters with goofy grins or tiny fangs, or spooky monsters with wild hair and multiple eyes. These cookies encourage creativity, and every cookie can be a little personality of its own. They’re perfect for a “create your own monster” cookie activity with kids or guests.
21. Coffin Cookies
Coffin-shaped cookies have a creepy-cool charm. Cut the dough into coffin shapes, frost in black or dark brown, and decorate with tiny crosses or “rest in peace” messages. These cookies give a nod to gothic horror and can be styled as spooky or elegant depending on your color palette. Coffin cookies work well as part of a “haunted dessert collection” alongside skeleton or graveyard-themed treats.
22. Bat Wing Cookies
Similar to bat cookies but with a more dramatic flair, bat wing cookies can be made using triangle or wing-shaped cutouts. Decorate with dark icing, add highlights or veins in lighter colors, and serve as if the bats are flying off the tray. Bat wing cookies are visually striking and a creative way to bring a Halloween night theme to your dessert table.
23. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
For a cozy, seasonal twist, pumpkin spice latte cookies are delightful. Round cookies with a frothy icing “topping” and drizzle of brown or orange icing mimic a tiny latte in cookie form. Add little pumpkin or leaf decorations to highlight the fall vibe. These cookies are perfect for combining Halloween and autumn flavors, giving your guests a warm, festive feeling with every bite.
24. Candy Skull Cookies
Inspired by Día de los Muertos, candy skull cookies are colorful and festive. Decorate white icing-covered skull cookies with bright patterns, dots, and floral designs. They’re artistic, fun, and add cultural depth to your Halloween treats. Candy skull cookies are excellent for bakers who love intricate designs, and they bring a cheerful, celebratory energy to a spooky-themed spread.
25. Bat and Moon Cookies
Combine bat and moon designs for a dramatic night scene. Round cookies can be iced in dark blue or black, then add crescent moons and small flying bats. These cookies are visually appealing and evoke the mysterious ambiance of Halloween night. They work beautifully when displayed together on a dark platter, creating a mini edible night sky.
26. Cauldron Potion Cookies
Take your cauldron idea up a notch with potion-themed cookies. Decorate round cookies in black, add colorful “potion” icing bubbling over the top, and sprinkle edible glitter or candy stars. These cookies give a whimsical magical vibe, perfect for Harry Potter fans or anyone wanting to make Halloween enchanting. They’re visually stunning and taste just as fun as they look.
27. Graveyard Cookies
Graveyard cookies are a dramatic finale to your Halloween cookie collection. Use rectangular or irregular shapes for tombstones, decorate with gray icing, and add names or RIP messages. Add a green or brown cookie base for “grass” and small details like candy skeletons or bones. Graveyard cookies are fun to arrange as a mini scene and give your dessert table that full spooky vibe. They’re creative, playful, and slightly eerie, making them perfect for Halloween enthusiasts.
