These Halloween Frosted Animal Cookies are a playful twist on the classic frosted circus cookies we all grew up loving. With buttery sugar cookies dipped in orange, white, and chocolate candy melts, they’re a spooky-sweet treat that both kids and adults will adore.
This recipe is simple enough for beginners yet impressive enough for a party platter. The best part? You can customize the shapes and colors to fit any Halloween theme. Whether you’re hosting a get-together, packing treats for school, or just celebrating at home, these cookies are guaranteed to disappear fast!
Why We Love Homemade Halloween Frosted Animal Cookies
• Bright, festive colors with fun Halloween sprinkles
• Kid-friendly decorating activity
• Classic sugar cookie base with a sweet candy coating
• Easy to prep ahead for parties
What You Need
Ingredient Notes
• Flour - Use all purpose flour. Measure with a food scale for best accuracy.
• Unsalted Butter - Room temperature for easy mixing.
• Candy melts - Use orange, white, and chocolate for a Halloween theme. Or substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips.
• Sprinkles - Halloween shapes or colors add the perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Homemade Halloween Frosted Animal Cookies
• Mix the dough – Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla. Blend in dry ingredients until dough forms. Chill.
• Roll and cut – Roll between parchment, cut with Halloween cookie cutters, place parchment with cookies onto sheet pan (baking sheet with raised edges) and bake until edges are golden.
• Dip and decorate – Melt candy melts, dip cookies by color, and add sprinkles immediately. Let set in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
• How long do these cookies last? Up to one week at room temperature in an airtight container, or refrigerate in warm climates.
• Can I freeze them? Yes! Freeze undecorated cookies, then thaw and dip in candy melts before serving.
• Can I use frosting instead of candy melts? Absolutely. Royal icing will also work for decorating.
Quick Tips
• Chill dough before rolling for easier cutting.
• Don’t overbake, edges should just be lightly golden.
• Dip cookies one color at a time so candy melts don’t harden.
• Add sprinkles while the candy coating is still wet.
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Homemade Halloween Frosted Animal Cookies
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour (or 1 pound)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For frosting
- 1 cup orange candy melts
- 1 cup white candy melts
- 1 cup chocolate candy melts or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons Halloween sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, and salt (measuring the flour with a food scale is the most accurate, but not required). Whisk to combine and remove any lumps. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar for 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat 1 minute more. Gradually mix in the flour until the dough pulls away from the sides. Transfer to parchment, knead a few minutes, then divide in half, wrap in parchment, and chill 30 minutes.
- Place another sheet of parchment on top and roll with a rolling pin until ⅛–¼ inch thick. Cut into 1.5" shapes and remove the excess dough, leaving the cut shapes in place. Gently slide the parchment with the cookies onto a baking sheet with raised edges, such as a half sheet pan. Bake 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Let cool completely. Gather the leftover dough scraps, re-roll between parchment, and cut out more cookies until all the dough is used.
- Melt orange candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until smooth, stirring well. If too thick, stir in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil. Dip a few cookies at a time, using a fork and gently tapping on the side of the bowl to let excess drip off. Place on a parchment-lined sheet and add Halloween sprinkles while the coating is still wet. Chill 10–15 minutes to set. Repeat with the remaining cookies using white and chocolate candy melts or chocolate chips, sprinkling before the coating sets.
- Once the coating has set, store the animal cookies covered at room temperature for up to one week. In warmer climates, keep them covered in the refrigerator. You can also freeze these cookies for up to 3 months!
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