Halloween Treat Recipe: Fancy Witch Hat Cookies

These cookies are not just a tasty treat, they make a stylish party favor that will leave Halloween party guests spellbound. Download and print our gift tag to add to your witch-hat cookies.

1. Make the Cookies

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and sea salt in a separate bowl.

On low speed, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. The dough will be very stiff. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cover two or more large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Roll half of the dough between sheets of parchment paper to 1/4” thickness. Repeat with the remaining dough half. Transfer the dough, stacked, on a large baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, about one hour. This will help cut-outs keep their shape while baking.

2. Cut Out Shapes

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and stamp out witch hat shapes. Re-roll dough scraps, chill and cut out more shapes, including some mini stars. Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet spaced 1 inch apart. Bake same-sized cookies on the same sheet pan.

Bake the hat cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Bake the mini stars for 7-10 minutes

3. Make the Royal Icing

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, stir the confectioners' sugar and meringue powder on low speed until combined. Add the water and beat on medium-high speed until very stiff peaks form, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add flavoring and beat on low until combined; divide in half and tint one portion of icing with the green gel food color. Bring to flood consistency by adding additional water a little at a time. Use the icing immediately or drape a damp tea towel over the mixing bowl or bowls to prevent the icing from drying out.

Divide the icing into two bowls. Add black food color to one bowl a little at a time and mix until a deep black color is achieved. Add pink food color to the second bowl a little at a time and mix until a consistent color forms.

Place a small No. 2 round piping tip into the bottom of two piping bags; snip off plastic on the end of the piping bags. Fill each piping bag with an icing color and seal the open end with a rubber band.

4. Outline and Flood

Outline a witch hat with black icing, then flood the center. Continue this method with half of the witch-hat cookies. Repeat the process using the pink icing

5. Fill the Blanks

Use a toothpick to spread the icing and fill any holes or gaps. Use the same technique on the mini stars, icing half of them black and half pink. Allow the cookies to stand uncovered, overnight to cure.

6. Sprinkle on Edible Gold Paint

Mix a little of the gold luster dust in a condiment cup with drops of water or clear extract until a thin but saturated paint forms. Load the stiff bristle brush with the paint and flick the bristles with your fingers onto the set cookies. This will create splashes and splatters of gold across the cookies. Let stand until dry, about one hour.

7. Make the Fashion Decorations

Meanwhile, knead the fondant or chocolate clay until malleable. Press small amounts into the bat mold and buckle mold; turn the shapes out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a small art brush, coat the pieces with gold luster dust.

8. Attach Bats and Buckles

Attach the decorations to the hat band area of the witch hats using a small dot of clear corn syrup on the backs of each bat and buckle.

9. Bag and Tag for Party Favors

Package one hat with a few stars in clear treat bags and tie it with a black cord. Add printed "thank you" tags to each bag.