1. Can I make Ghost Sugar Cookies ahead of time?

Yes. You can bake and cool the cookies up to 3 days in advance, then store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to decorate.

2. How do I get royal icing smooth and shiny?

Use the flood consistency icing for filling the cookie surface, and pop any air bubbles with a toothpick immediately after flooding. Allow the cookies to dry in a cool, draft-free space.

3. Can I freeze decorated sugar cookies?

It’s possible, but not ideal. Fully dry the icing, wrap each cookie in plastic, and store in a rigid container. Thaw at room temperature without unwrapping to reduce condensation.

4. What’s the best way to keep the cookies from spreading?

Chill the dough before cutting shapes and again before baking. Avoid overmixing, which can cause spreading.

Ghost Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Ghost Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing – Fun and Festive Halloween Treats

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Soft, buttery sugar cookies shaped like friendly ghosts, topped with smooth, glossy royal icing for the perfect spooky-sweet Halloween treat.

Author: Imma
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes + chilling
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsp meringue powder
9–10 tbsp water
Black food coloring (for eyes/mouths)

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Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix until combined.
Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until dough forms. Divide in half, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut ghost shapes with a cookie cutter, dipping cutter in flour between cuts.
Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Chill again for 10–15 minutes.
Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are just set. Cool completely before decorating.
To make royal icing, whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until thick but pipeable. Tint a small portion black for faces.
Outline ghosts with thicker icing, then flood with thinner icing. Use a toothpick to spread icing and pop bubbles.
Add eyes and mouths once the base icing is partially set. Let cookies dry several hours or overnight before stacking or packaging.

Notes

Chilling dough twice prevents spreading. Use squeeze bottles for kid-friendly decorating. Avoid freezing decorated cookies unless fully necessary to prevent icing damage.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 150
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 65mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Find it online: https://www.cozyfamilyrecipes.com/ghost-sugar-cookies-with-royal-icing/